SPL FASHION
EnnYe brings African fashion, art to St. Pete PHOTO/MARCIA BIGGS
EnnYe owner Matipa Mutsemi debuted her downtown storefront boutique in August. It includes a gallery of African-influenced sculptures and art.
BY MARCIA BIGGS Entrepreneur/fashion designer Matipa Mutsemi is bringing a splash of color and unique style to downtown St. Petersburg with EnnYe, a new Africa-influenced boutique. The 1,300-square-foot space, which is named after Mutsemi’s mother, officially opened in early August featuring her custom-designed fashions and home accessories, all made from 100 percent cotton fabric in a multitude of traditional African prints that she personally selects and imports from Africa.
teamed up with with her sister who owns a storefront in San Franciso to create the EnnYe Collection in 2016.
In addition, Mutsemi set aside a portion of the space as a sculpture gallery in which she features African stone art, all created by artists from Zimbabwe, her native country. Her husband Vini Mutsemi is the gallery curator. “The word Zimbabwe means ‘house of stone’ which comes from the Shona people who create art from the various types of stones that come from the region,” she explains. A featured artist is Dominic Benhura, a world-renowned sculptor in Zimbabwe, who supplied numerous striking pieces for the EnnYe collection. His work is in public spaces and galleries around with world, with EnnYe the exclusive gallery in Florida.
Inspired by African patterns, the EnnYe collection highlights vibrant prints and modern silhouettes from short unstructured dresses to sexy gowns that billow in the breeze. One of her staples is what she calls a Circle Dress, a loose-fitting dress that can be worn on all body types. Her short shirt dress is a popular and versatile piece, too, that can be worn on its own or as a statement jacket or kimono over pants. Add a matching clutch and large necklace, bracelet and earrings and you have a look that will turn heads.
Mutsemi moved to the United States in 2001, settling in the Dallas area where she studied finance; she eventually moved to San Franciso. She never lost her love of traditional African fashion, however, and was inspired to design her own clothing incorporating fabrics brought back from trips home to visit her parents. She
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It was only after moving to St. Pete in 2020 that she decided to share her unique line with the public by opening EnnYe. “I liked the small businesses here and the emphasis on locally made,” she offered. Her sister in San Franciso is a co-owner.
Each fabric is generally used for only one or two dresses, with remnants used for purses or pillows, then retired. “I find fabrics and colors I like and let them inspire me,” says Mutsemi. “I never know what it will be when I purchase the fabric, I let it speak to me.” EnnYe is located at 300 Beach Drive, Suite 111, in downtown St. Petersburg. Hours vary; call (727) 219-0305 to inquire.
