The knitting of collaborative networks and the shaping of a sustainable fashion future for South Africa – these will be some of the most exhilarating trends to watch at South African Fashion Week (SAFW)’s Spring Summer 23 Collections at the Mall of Africa from 20 – 23 April 2023.
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It will also host both a contingent of designers and models from neighbouring Mozambique Fashion Week as well as this year’s participants in the ground-breaking collaborative Italian/South African Fashion Bridges – I Ponti della Moda project. “Regional and intercontinental collaborations such as these, allow all parties to knit networks of beneficial mutual support. They allow us to share skills and insights, open unexplored business opportunities, and ultimately, to extend the sphere of our respective creative visions to beyond our familiar borders,” says director Lucilla Booyzen.
According to Booyzen, the return of fashion chain Mr Price, as the headline sponsor of the New Talent Search, marks another exciting development. Traditionally the opening show of the new season as well as one of the most watched events for its proven track record for early detection of the top emerging creatives, this year’s entrants were again challenged to demonstrate their talent for print development as well as their unreserved commitment to a sustainable fashion future. “The support of a leading fashion mover and shaker such as Mr Price gives immeasurable impetus to the determination of our new generation of designers to clean up fashion’s act with an unequivocal commitment to sustainable and healthy practice.”
“Mr Price has been a long-standing champion for discovering and supporting local designers through our partnership with Elle Rising Star and most recently our Creative Collabs Design competition series. As two industry players driven by our love for fashion, we are so excited to partner with SAFW and provide further opportunities to South Africa’s next generation of designers and a platform to amplify their talent,” says Donovan Baney, Managing Director of Mr Price.
The 2023 Mr Price New Talent Search, will introduce the following designers and their labels:
- Mmathabo Silika: Silika
- Kuhle Phumzile Zondo: E_Mania
- Caileigh Davis: Silver Magpie
- Athenkosi Takuta: Artae
- Lwandle Duma: Lwavant-Garde
- Oyama Gonintebe
- Juanie Van Wyk: Juanie
- Cyla Gonsolves: Cyla Gonsolves
- Sifiso Kunene: Messrsbasswood
The 2022 winner of the search, Thando Ntuli, will close the show with her Isikhathi /Time SS23 Munkus collection.
Listed in 2013 by Forbes magazine as one of Africa’s best young entrepreneurs, Thula Sindi, owner of the renowned Africa Rise retail collective for South African designers, returns to SAFW where he debuted his first range in 2005. He will launch his From a selection” - a visitation of the past, elevated, revisited collection – a tribute to the customers who support the Africa Rise designers.
The value of a designer platform such as SAFW, extends to the industries that are integral to the whole “look and feel” of a given season too, says Booyzen. “The new hairstyle and make-up looks presented on the seasonal collections ramps are equally critical to the serious industry observers.”
The Cruz Collective, sponsored by the handcrafted, premium vodka, which according to Cruz’s Maisha Mamabolo, aligns with the spirit of fashion as culture, craft and attitude, introduces the new collections by inaugural Fashion Bridges participants, Sipho Mabuto and Fikile Zamagcino Sokhulu, as well as East Meets-African Elysian-Ego collection by Cape Town-based, Michael Ludwig Studio.
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