St. Pete Couple Showcase Their Roots in Art and Fashion
Featured image: EnnYe Collection owners and sisters Mercy Nyamangwanda, Matipa Mutsemi and husband Vini Mutsemi. Photos by Tafadzwa Madamombe
At first glance, Matipa and Vini Mutsemi appear to be your typical, happy couple. They’ve been married for 17 years and have loved living and working in the tropical paradise of St. Pete since 2020.
As entrepreneurs, however, they also run a successful business together, EnnYe on Beach Drive. At the heart of the retail business is a Stone Sculpture Gallery curated by Vini Mutsemi. “We feature unique stone sculptures made by Zimbabwean sculptors from the Shona tribe.”
Zimbabwe means “House of Stone.” Tourists know that part of the world for the famous Victoria Falls, known as one of the “Seven Natural Wonders of the World.” A busy attraction for international visitors, Zimbabwe is also known as a destination for game hunting.
“Our store is unique. I represent fifty stone artists from Zimbabwe,” Vini explains, noting their creations are the “unique stone sculptures that visitors to Africa fall in love with on Safari but can’t easily be brought home.”
Matipa is an attorney-turned-clothing designer and found inspiration in the colorful Java cotton fabrics of her homeland. She designs vibrant maxi dresses and accessories that are “wearable art” – one-of-a-kind, handmade creations.
How did this couple from Africa end up in the US?
Both Matipa and Vini were born in Zimbabwe, a landlocked country in Southeast Africa bordered by South Africa, Botswana, and Mozambique. “We went to boarding school together in Zimbabwe,” Matipa explained, “and both came to America to continue our education.”
Matipa went to college in Dallas and then Miami. Vini went to college in Pensacola. As a newly married couple, they moved to Washington, DC to pursue their careers – she as an attorney; he made a living in the technology business: “I worked for the Department of Homeland Security from 2012 to 2019 during the Obama and Trump administrations.” Matipa explained. “Zimbabwe is home to us. We learned to appreciate our country while we were away.”
The EnnYe Collection was founded in 2016 by Matipa Mutsemi and her sister Mercy Nyamangwanda. Named in honor of their mother, Ennye, the collection is a salute to their Zimbabwe roots. The store showcases contemporary clothing, accessories and home accents using vibrant African print fabrics.
“Mercy is my older sister and is a fashionista but doesn’t sew,” Matipa explains. “But, more important, she is bold and fashion forward and fearless.”
Matipa is excited about their future. The sisters first featured their work in fashions shows from San Francisco to Milan and Phoenix, and then New York City called.
Matipa was invited to showcase her designs in New York Fashion Week by Runway 7, the fashion production company dedicated to representing the best in cultural diversity, showcasing international designers. The NYC show took place on Sunday, September 1, near Times Square at Sony Hall. Sitting in the first row, this writer was thrilled to see several other St. Pete local fashionistas cheering on Matipa and Mercy – and wearing their creations!
