Soweto Fashion Week draws new-era designers
17 November 2015
Established and up-and-coming fashion designers from South Africa’s townships and their peers from SADC countries and other parts of the African continent will show off their creations at the 2015 spring-summer edition of the Soweto Fashion Week (SFW), which kicks off at the Soweto Theatre in Jabulani on Thursday November 19.
Backed by Joburg Tourism – the City of Johannesburg’s tourism arm – the popular three-day fashion extravaganza will showcase the spring-summer collections of seasoned designers such as Malo, Fresh Wear, Shona Accra, and feature the creations of starlets including Ndlalisa, Artistic Gusto, House of NaleNala, Originally Kasified and Precious Lulu.
The SFW is a community-based entrepreneurial initiative that has become a firm favourite on the social and fashion calendar, featuring the best in local winter and summer fashion in May and November respectively.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Development Councillor Ruby Mathang says Joburg Tourism has identified the SFW as one of its strategic signature events that have the potential to attract business and leisure tourists to Johannesburg in general and Soweto in particular.
“Joburg Tourism is continuously seeking opportunities to attract both business and leisure tourists to the City,” says MMC Mathang.
The SFW has made waves locally by stimulating the city’s economy, encouraging entrepreneurial skills development and creating much-needed job opportunities in the fashion industry and its entire value chain, especially in previously disadvantaged areas. This value chain includes hair stylists, models, make-up artists, seamstresses, dressmakers, hair salon owners and cosmetic suppliers, as well as jewellery and accessory providers.
First launched in 2011, the SFW has attracted interest from cities such as Paris, Las Vegas and Zurich.
The fashion show provides a value platform for rising designers. To date it has 55 designers, 30 of whom designed their way from the streets, while the rest are from colleges and training institutions.
“The SFW not only highlights the international standard facilities Joburg has to offer, but it also has an important role to play in development and transformation. As the City, each initiative we put our weight behind needs to benefit all residents and the developmental aspect of this event addresses that,” says Cllr Mathang.
Principal sponsors are Joburg Tourism and Darling Hair.
Tickets for the fashion show are available from Computicket, Shoprite Checkers and www.sowetofashionweek.com at R60 per person per day.