The Soweto Fashion Week has officially kicked off in African style, where young designers will be showcasing their best work at the Soweto Theatre.
With a play of colours and textures young African designers have promised to wow fashion lovers.
SOWETO STRUT: A male model showcases some of the latest African designs at this year's Soweto Fashion Week. Picture: Bhekikhaya Mabaso.
Steven Manzini founder of the Soweto Fashion Week said at the launch on Wednesday that he saw himself as a visionary and this plighted him to start the showcase experience. Originally coming from a modeling background Manzini described how he saw a gap in the Soweto fashion industry.
"As a visionary you are never where you want to be," he said.
"I was kind of hoping that after six or seven years, I would be in a stadium by now. But I am grateful for where we are. The plans are to go international, we have already done the blueprint for that. We want to take our designers overseas and sell their stuff all over the globe," Manzini said.
Senior Brand Manager of Darling, Pearle Peane told the The Star that the Darling hair collection, one of the sponsors of the event, is telling a story from way back with vintage looks that run through the times.
"It being Africa Month, we realised that we should be paying tribute to Africa and showcasing African designs. We have realised that Africa is now global. It's open to the world to come in but also the world is open to Africa. So in terms of styles that is what I am expecting to see," said Peane.
RUNWAY SHEEK: A model showcases some of the winter fashion that will be on display at Soweto Fashion Week from today until Sunday. Picture: Bhekikhaya Mabaso.
House of Noir by Natasha Tlagae and Switch Couture by Lame Chilume, both hailing from Botswana are expected to showcase a different kind of African design during the week.
Producer and manager of the designers at the show Serge Kabisoso said: "We give designers a theme and you know that today fashion goes with technology. We asked designers to think of something different and for the future. They had to look at what is in and what is out."
"House of Noir by Natasha- she is more inspired by your Mediterranean and Arabic designs. She is into modern women, who feel sexy about themselves when they are covered up," he added.
MODEL PROTEST: A moment of silence was held at the Soweto Fashion Week launch for the women who have been victims of domestic violence. Picture: Bhekikhaya Mabaso
"The other designer who couldn't be here to tonight is Switch Couture by Lame. She on the other hand is more African. She came with a different contemporary African design, where she combined an African meets Eastern and Western," said Kabisoso.
Official sponsors of the SFW are the long lasting relationship with Darling, SowetoTv, the City of Joburg tourism. New sponsors of SFW is the vibrant Z World and Cape Brewing Co (CBC), who have said they look forward to see what young designers have to offer.
"I just hope to see what we as a country are striving towards. A vibrant, young energetic, group of people that come together from different backgrounds. Something like fashion is like making beer, which is an art. I would like to to see a movement emerging," said Jason Black, brand ambassador of CBC.
Over 20 designers are expected to showcase their Autumn and winter creations from tonight until Sunday May 28 at the Soweto Theatre.