Soweto Fashion Week sets new trends and styles

01 June 2016

 

Sartorial gurus and fashionistas from across Johannesburg ensured they made their way to the Soweto Theatre in Jabulani last week for the sixth annual Soweto Fashion Week.

 

Showcasing both emerging and established local designers, the 2016 Autumn-Winter Soweto Fashion Week, which reached its climax at the weekend, drew large crowds of fashion followers eager for a peak at the latest trends. 

 

With layered natural toned leather accessories by Row Handmade Accessories; funky, bright and brave prints and cuts by Shona Accra; unusual, high-end, personality wrist and ring pieces by Yato Jewellery, zombie apocalypse-inspired models from Ellen Madie and bold striking African prints by NDK Studio, this year's edition of the Soweto Fashion Week was a visual feast of the tailored variety.

“The Soweto Fashion Week has enormous potential to become a significant flagship event for the City of Johannesburg's tourism entity," said Joburg Tourism's Laura Vercueil.

 

"The event promotes young black fashion designers, impacting on Johannesburg’s economy, especially in the townships. It does not only showcase rising fashion designers but it also benefits other players in the beauty sector, such as African hair stylists and enterprises involved in selling cosmetics, grooming products and accessories like jewellery.” 

 

The biannual Soweto Fashion Week was founded by Stephen Manzini six years ago. Since its inception the event has seen some of its collections featured in fashion weeks in the United States and Europe, proving an ideal platform to launch local designers into the international arena.

 

“We'll dominate the fashion industry and it’s only a matter of time. We're currently on two continents. Watch this space,” said Manzini.

The Soweto Fashion Week does not only provide invaluable exposure to local designers but it also plays an important role in the development and transformation of the industry, according to Vercueil. 

 

“As the City of Johannesburg, each initiative we put our weight behind needs to benefit all residents. The developmental aspect of this event addresses just that. The scope of the Soweto Fashion Week helps stimulate Johannesburg’s economy by developing entrepreneurial skills and creating job opportunities in the fashion industry,” she said.