This year’s South African Fashion Week provides an opportunity for designer shopping with a special runway open to the public
Zaheda Mohamed
The countdown has begun as the South African fashion industry gears up for what is believed to be the biggest fashion event of the year.
Publicist Estelle Cooper says audiences at South African Fashion Week 2001 can expect work that has a distinct South African spirit. “The designs are original, bold and confident, we have come into our own”.
This year’s event boasts some of fashion’s hot newcomers, as well as those well on their way to making it big locally and internationally.
Marianne Fassler, for example, brings in a fresh change with an all-new children’s collection under the label Sibella.
The event is every wannabe fashion fundi’s dream come true. From August 28 to September 2 the Sandton Convention Centre becomes a hotspot meeting place for just about anyone interested in fashion.
Cooper says “designer shopping” will take place for the public on a special runway situated in an open exhibition space. At R25 a ticket visitors will have an opportunity to meet designers and have access to designer garments. In this way, Cooper says, “we are demystifying the elitism and making fashion accessible that’s what South Africa is all about”.
So seize the moment and forget lame excuses about being out of cash the shows are strategically scheduled for month-end. Besides, don’t you think it’s high time you supported local fashion and donned a Native or Black Coffee label instead of a “fong kong” special falsely etched DKNY?
Spectators, potential fashion buyers, designers, copycats anybody yearning to be a fashion someone will get a chance to have their fill at this year’s spread.
Individual designers from Clive Rundel, Malcolm Kluk, Gideon, Maya Prass, William Ntamo and Tracey Lee to Brit Cormack, Abigail Betz, Rahim Row G and David West feature highly during the week. Then there are also designers who represent labels, such as Stoned Cherrie, Black Coffee, Identity and Strangelove.
FHM magazine has dedicated a special show to an exclusive menswear collection, featuring I-cuba, Terence Bray and Fabiani. If last year’s showdown is anything to go by, this all-male brigade is not to be missed.
Custodian of South African Fashion Week Lucilla Booyzen said with pride at this year’s launch: “It’s time we respect and support our own talent. We have fabulous designers who more than deserve the recognition.”
In keeping with tradition the fashion week will culminate in the Fairlady South African Fashion Awards, which will be held on September 1.
So, if you have not made an attempt to get tickets for this fashion rollercoaster, its best you make enquiries before you are left out in the cold.
South African Fashion Week takes place from August 28 to September 2 at the Sandton Convention Centre. For bookings Tel: (011) 442?7812