THERE has been so much hullabaloo around Winky D’s attire at the recently held Castle Lager National Braai Day!
JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA
Known as The Gafa President to his legion of fans, Winky has outdone himself this time!
The hugely popular artiste appeared on stage dressed like Captain Sparrow of the epic Pirates of the Caribbean fame.
Pirates of the Caribbean is a Disney media franchise encompassing a series of films and spin-off novels, as well as a number of media publications.
Winky D, born Wallace Chirumiko, would previously imitate the Kung Fu Ninjas.
Then he once copied the Money Heist outfits and most people remarked that he was moving with the trends.
But alas, little did we know it was fast becoming a habit — to copy and paste!
As any online search will confirm, Pirates of the Caribbean is an American fantasy supernatural swashbuckler film series produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and based on Walt Disney’s theme park attraction of the same name which opened at Disneyland in 1967.
Pirates of the Caribbean became a media franchise in the 2000s, with the release of the Curse of the Black Pearl in 2003; it was followed by four sequels.
Winky D’s ardent followers claimed by dressing like Jack Sparrow he had done something out of the ordinary.
Sadly, to those of us who have travelled with him since his formative years 20 years ago, it meant Winky D is slowly gazing at the ceiling.
In other words, music alone is not enough for him to put his messages across so he resorts to theatrics to get people talking, good or bad.
To put it into context, the dress sense lacks originality and Pirates of the Caribbean was coincidently a wrong choice of outfit, if you ask me.
Firstly, let us define a pirate. According to the Oxford dictionary, a pirate is a person who attacks and robs ships at sea, which is basically what happens in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchises.
Then another meaning says a pirate is a person who appropriates or reproduces the work of another for profit without permission, usually in contravention of patent or copyright.
Secondly, Winky D more than anything is coming across as a real “pirate” who copies other people’s dressing to make it his own.
Imagine Shabba Ranks when he hit the big time, he was known for baggy jeans and that box cut which slanted to the left.
And also Michael Jackson, the king of pop, is known for his flashy outfits, white socks, a white glove and the novelty white T-shirts.
In some quarters, dressing up like Wacko Jacko is seen as cultural appropriation. Whether this is true or false is a debate for another day.
As for Winky D, he really needs to engage his own fashion designer, local or international. A designer who will make him look good and different from others.
The one good thing about having your own fashion style is that you will not be compared to anyone and also people will recognise you more not as an imposter.
This is the reason why in theatre costumes are part of the performance; you have to look the part.
Like Oliver Mtukudzi once said: “there is no better you than you” emphasising on originality.
Tuku himself would dress in scalp hats and Chinese colour garments at almost every concert. It would be amiss for Tuku to try and dress like Alick Macheso on stage or vice versa.
Kapfupi also did it his own way by dressing in sleeveless tops and his pants with one side longer than the other side.
Till now most people recognise Kapfupi when they see him doing his thing on stage. Lately, Jah Master would perform topless and in brown shorts suspended by cross belts and he does it so well.
There is no harm in being you, Winky, at least that way people will not view you as a copycat!
You see something on the small screen and then bring it on stage? Come on!
