By Mukuka Musonda
At Victoria Falls, nature usually does all the talking. The roaring water, the rising mist and the endless stream of camera clicks normally command attention from every visitor who steps into Livingstone’s most famous attraction. But on this occasion, it was not only the Falls that turned heads.
A visiting family from Lusaka quietly transformed the walkway near the statue of David Livingstone into an unexpected runway, where fashion briefly competed with one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.
Tourists in the area were dressed as expected for a day at the Falls. Light clothing, comfortable sandals, swimwear under cover ups and the practical outfits of travellers chasing adventure. Yet among them stood a group that looked deliberately different.
Their clothing carried colour, texture and personality. Handcrafted crochet pieces, bold patterns and carefully styled outfits gave the family a presence that felt more like a curated fashion moment than a casual tourist visit.
Phones turned not only toward the mist of the Falls but also toward the group itself, as visitors paused to observe the unexpected display of style.
The family was in Livingstone to celebrate a birthday, but what unfolded was a blend of lifestyle, creativity and family expression that went beyond the occasion itself.
At the centre of the story is Bridget Shoko, a designer and entrepreneur who treats fashion as both identity and craft. For her, the outfits were not accidental or improvised for the trip. They were intentional.
“I am a businesswoman. I do crochet, I do baking, I do decor,” she said, describing a life built around creativity and enterprise.
Shoko explained that crochet, a skill she learnt at a young age, has remained part of her work over the years. Once considered old fashioned, she believes it is now experiencing a revival as social media reshapes how handmade fashion is seen and appreciated.
“What people used to think was outdated is now coming back in different ways. People are showing new designs everywhere online,” she said.
For her, fashion is not about blending in. It is about presence. The decision to dress boldly at Victoria Falls was deliberate, a way of expressing individuality in a space known more for natural spectacle than personal style.
“I am always trying to stand out by any means. I just want to be distinct in everything that I do,” she added.
But behind the visual statement was a deeper family story. The trip to Livingstone was organised around the 58th birthday of their mother, Catherine Mulilo. What began as a celebration quickly evolved into a shared experience of travel, bonding and expression.
“This was mom’s birthday and we decided to come to Livingstone during the Easter holiday,” Shoko said, explaining that the visit had been planned earlier in the year but postponed until the long break.
For the Matero based family, the journey was not only about sightseeing. It was also about creating memories that combined celebration with identity, and leisure with creativity.
Livingstone, already known as Zambia’s tourism hub, continues to attract both international and domestic travellers seeking adventure, relaxation and cultural experiences.
This Easter period was no exception. Visitor numbers at Victoria Falls rose significantly, with 10,690 recorded this year compared to 9,018 in the previous year, reflecting growing domestic interest in local tourism.
Officials also noted an increase in Zambian adult visitors, rising from 6,054 to 8,138 over the four day holiday period, even as the number of child visitors saw a decline.
Yet beyond the statistics, the moment captured at the Falls reveals something less quantifiable. Tourism today is not only about landscapes and landmarks.
It is also about how people present themselves within those spaces, how personal stories intersect with public places, and how lifestyle choices become part of the travel experience.
At Victoria Falls, the water continues to thunder and the mist continues to rise. But on this particular day, fashion briefly joined nature in sharing the spotlight.