Inspired Fashion: Bless by Bless Couture

Most clothing designers have a carefully cultivated “story” that condenses their background and inspiration into perfectly press-worthy sound bytes. Local designer Bless Mazarura’s story, however, really does go beyond fashion.

After escaping poverty and abuse in his native Zimbabwe, Mazarura enrolled at the Montserrat College of Art in Beverly. Three years ago, he began designing Bless by Bless Couture, a collection of part-rocker, part-urban Ts, tanks, and sweatshirts emblazoned with a phoenix design.

Mazarura says the design signifies his hope for his ravaged homeland, where his mother still lives. Ten percent of all profits go to Mother of Peace, an AIDS orphanage in Zimbabwe. The designs, which range from $29 for baby gear to $170 for a men’s sweatshirt, are currently available at blessbybless.com. They’ll arrive in local boutiques this fall.

Shown: Zimbabwe One Love tunic, $67.50.