Sheila-Madge is 1st Class #SAFW

This year’s 1st Class Collection, sponsored by Lufthansa, presented at SA Fashion Week was truly spectacular.

The winner of the Lufthansa 1st Class Collections initiative, Sheila-Madge Bakker, was announced on Wednesday, 29 March for her exceptional collection inspired by Avant-garde with wearability. The natural environment provides her with endless inspiration, clearly evident through her use of colour and texture.

A firm believer in the organic process of design, season’s collection features a collaboration with local illustrator, Andel Olivier.

Sheila-Madge winner of the Lufthansa 1st Class Collection .

Pic: Simon Deiner / SDR Photo

Sheila-Madge winner of the Lufthansa 1st Class Collection .

Pic: Simon Deiner / SDR Photo

One of the most keenly anticipated events at SA Fashion Week, the 1st Class Collection provides the country’s young emerging designers with the opportunity to showcase their collections and introduce the world to their talents. They are considered to represent the future of the local fashion industry and are selected by the 1st Class Collection SA Fashion Week judging committee to provide greater exposure for their brands. Fashion designer Sheila-Madge emerged victorious after being chosen as the finalist of four individuals. Her grand prize is a trip to Berlin Fashion Week in June/July from Lufthansa, as part of a the SAFW travel seminar.

Sheila-Madge winner of the Lufthansa 1st Class Collection .

Pic: Simon Deiner / SDR Photo

"I would like to thank both Lufthansa and SA Fashion Week for providing me with this wonderful opportunity," says Sheila-Madge. "I cannot even begin to express how I felt when I was handed the big prize, it was a magical moment and I’m truly proud of the work that I’ve done. It is great to see local designers being celebrated. Heading to Berlin Fashion Week, one of the top fashion destinations of the world, is one of the most exciting things about being crowned the winner."

“SA Fashion Week’s competitions are an undeniable springboard for young designers. The aim of the Lufthansa 1st Class Collection initiative is to assist talented designers, with the potential for commercial growth, to start making the transition from a developing creative to a sustainable business that can play a role in the creative fashion industry, create jobs, wealth and contribute to the GDP of the country,” says Lucilla Booyzen, Director of SA Fashion Week.

“Lufthansa continues to play a vital role in identifying and awarding the next generation of designers that will lead the SA Fashion industry. To us, it is very important that the industry should be led by exceptionally talented and visionary designers,” says Jolanta Slomkowski, Brand Manager South Africa for Lufthansa. “All the finalists showcased very strong talent with their designs for the Lufthansa 1st Class Collection and Lufthansa would like to congratulate all the finalists that took part.“

Other designers included Aya Goods, Aya Velase, EDDA, Sisiano, and Stitch and Steel.