One of Africa’s biggest fashion shows, South African Fashion Week (SAFW) has announced its remaining eight designers who made it to the New Talent Search semifinalists round.
Since 1998, SAFW has had this competition where they recognise talent and give designers a platform to showcase their designs as well as an opportunity to upgrade their skills and businesses.
This year, the designers were required to base their designs on 2019 world trends by combining contemporary shapes, styles,and construction with their inspiration and design talent, by incorporating their own prints or going plain.
Some of these designers will be granted access to the SAFW Trade Event – Autumn/Winter 2019.
AFROGRUNGE
After obtaining her Fashion Design degree from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 2017, Anita Hlazo launched her fashion label. She has since then presented her past collections in several local fashion shows, produced a fashion film as an emerging creative with Bokeh Fashion Film Festival and featured in local magazine fashion spreads. The core value of her brand hails from her fascination with worldwide street style and its unorthodox culture.
Anita Hlazo, founder of AFROGRUNGE.
BIRTH
Pravisha Naidoo’s brand mantra is ‘Simply part of life’. The Durbanite was introduced into the fashion world through her mother, who sewed garments for a living.
Pravisha Naidoo, BIRTH founder.
ARTCLUB AND FRIENDS
Robyn Keyser started her brand with the vision of becoming South Africa’s most celebrated locally made brand. With a mission to serve as a platform to re-energize the South African Textile Industry, Robyn collaborates with artists of different mediums to create “artwear”.
Robyn Keyser of ARTCLUB AND FRIENDS.
CINDY MFABE
Cindy Mfabe is a contemporary ready to wear brand that threads the thin line between femininity and masculinity. Founded by LISOF graduate, Cindy Mfabe, the brand has showcased at Lagos Fashion.
Cindy Mfabe.
FIKILE ZAMAGCINO SOKHULO
Fikile Zamagcino Sokhulo is a SAFW SS18 DUT Rise of the OXX showcasing designer. Inspired by female empowerment, the brand was launched in 2018 after Sokhulu completed her National Diploma in Fashion Design.
Fikile Zamagcino Sokhulo.
NO SHADE
Streetwear label, NO SHADE, was created by Cape Town-based creative, Nashifah Samuels. Her inspiration is drawn from her hometown, the eclectic fisherman village of Hout Bay
Nashifah Samuels of NO SHADE.
ODE
ODE was founded in 2016 by Rebecca Odendaal with an aim to bring their customers pieces inspired by the local and international runway.
Rebecca Odendaal of ODE.
OUTERWEAR
OUTERWEAR is a womenswear brand founded by Ngcebo Mnyandu and Siyabonga Ntini, who both honed their skills at the Durban University of Technology, studying Fashion and Textiles. The design duo intends to create clothing in any form that stimulates conversation and the desire to celebrate feminine bodies in the arts, politics and every realm.
Ngcebo Mnyandu and Siyabonga Ntini.
This year, the winner receives mentorship and business support valued at R60, 000.