Threads Stitched by Standard bank revealed their 12 fashion entrepreneurs who will take part at the first edition of the Business of Fashion Acceleration Program. From the 400 applications received, only 12 of them were selected to represent the inspiring diversity of the South African fashion aesthetic - from designers of maternity wear, modesty wear and luxury women ranges, to belts and handbag design houses and denim wear designers.
Inspired by the confounding statistic that the sub-Saharan African fashion industry represents a lamentable 1% of the USD 3 trillion global fashion industry, Threads – Stitched by Standard Bank is an initiative to support up-and- coming fashion entrepreneurs in transforming their growing businesses into powerful, profitable fashion brands.
The participating 12 finalists include: Anthony Smith of 2Bop – street wear label based in Cape Town that manufactures and produce headwear, apparel and accessories. Majda Rabin of Chimpel – a Cape Town based luxury leather accessories (belts and
handbags) design house. Evans Zemba of Walk In Closet (WIC) Designs, a Port Elizabeth based men and womens leisurewear fashion house.
Thabo Makhetha of Thabo Makhetha, an African luxury brand, well known for her
Basotho blanket “Kobo” creation. Junior Mmotla of MAMAGASEHOME, men’s and women's streetwear fashion range. Yamkela Lize of Refined Revolt, an East-London based textile designer and handbag accessory manufacturer. Asanda Mali of Mal’stones – a Port Elizabeth based body-positive women’s wear fashion House. Tshego Manche of La Manche Clothing- a Joburg based premium womenswear fashion house.
Jacqueline Munsami of JSE Couture – a Durban based fashion house that has three lines,
Jacqui Emmanuel Couture, Jacqui Emmanuel Pret n’ Porter and Emmanuel Sportsluxe.
Lyndall Moodley of Hannah Grace Maternity and Sabiha Badsha of Haya Collective, a Durban based contemporary modest wear brand and Tshepo Mohlala of Tshepo the Jeanmaker. The programme will last for 12 weeks in classroom hubs in Port Elizabeth, Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg.