African style is not just a garment – it’s a sensation
\nJuly 5, 2014\/Tonight, South Africa<\/p>\n
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By Dianne Hawker and Zara Nicholson
\nLet there be sequins, jewellery, metres and metres of African-inspired fabric and all things decadently fashionable, dahling!<\/p>\n
Just days before the fourth annual Nokia Cape Town Fashion Week kicks off the entire fashion industry is in a frenzy of preparation for what has been called South Africa’s premier fashion event.<\/p>\n
The theme for this year’s Cape Town Fashion Week, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, is “New World Africa” and is to showcase garments by 72 designers.<\/p>\n
For the first time the show is also to serve as a springboard for 10 model hopefuls competing in this year’s Face of Africa competition.<\/p>\n
Their performances at fashion week will determine whether they proceed to the final stage of the competition next month.<\/p>\n
Model Melody Zulu, 21, from Durban, said she was excited but nervous about taking part in such a major event. This week the group took part in several dress rehearsals and got to wear the garments for the first time.<\/p>\n
Zulu strutted her stuff in a pink-and-black Malick original, turning heads at the V&A Waterfront where yesterday’s dress rehearsal was held.<\/p>\n
“I feel absolutely beautiful in this outfit. The fabric is so soft and comfortable,” she said.<\/p>\n
The fashion show will give finalists an opportunity to get the feel of the catwalk before taking part in the Face of Africa final at Sun City on August 13.<\/p>\n
Fashion week will showcase a range of young local talents, several African designers and a healthy order of such established designers as Malcolm Kluk, Gavin Rajah, Hip Hop and Fred Eboka.<\/p>\n
This year Rajah will be returning to Cape Town with a line fresh off the catwalks of Paris. The Durban-born designer is the first South African to show at Paris Fashion Week and will be showing the same collection at Cape Town Fashion Week.<\/p>\n
With just six days to go to show time, designers have been working overtime to ensure their collections are ready for the catwalk.<\/p>\n
Tasleem Bulbulia, of Funeka, is offering a fresh interpretation using local fabrics only.<\/p>\n
“It is Japanese-inspired and I am using all-African fabrics, sponsored by Da Gama textiles.<\/p>\n
“There is a vibrant dynamic … I’ve decided to use global trends … interpreted in an African way.”<\/p>\n
Designer Malick Basadien said his label, Malick, would offer “a lot of colour and vibrance” this year and feature Euro-African styles that would have “global appeal, not only local”.<\/p>\n
Cheryl Arthur, of Hip Hop, said audiences could expect a fantasy experience. The design house regularly pulls out all the stops.<\/p>\n
“You can expect anything from denim and resort wear to evening wear. The range will be feminine, sexy and highly wearable.”<\/p>\n
Arthur also promised a “big surprise” in the Hip Hop collection, which would also include designs from the sub-brand “Afro-Diva”.<\/p>\n
Audiences will be in for a number of interesting surprises, including a Pan-African Showcase and a range by Spero Villioti, who is showing at the Cape Town Fashion Week for the first time.<\/p>\n
Up-and-coming designers Steph G, Mon Moir, Darkie, Ella Buter and Reine, some of whom have a strong following, will launch their ranges at next week’s event. The Elizabeth Galloway Academy returns this year with a fresh batch of student designers.<\/p>\n
Organisers tip the Southern African Showcase and Pan African Showcase as must-sees. They say Nigerian designer Deola Sagoe ranks high on the list of African designers and has shown at the New York Fashion Week.<\/p>\n
Another first will be the launch of the Uwe Koetter Jewellers V4UK jewellery collection by designer Vanessa Ramazotti. The jewellery will be showcased with Zinzi Couture’s collection on July 13.<\/p>\n
Gerry Rantseli, spokeswoman for the Cape Town Fashion Week, believes the event will provide an opportunity for African designers to challenge some of the world’s perceptions about the continent.<\/p>\n
“African fashion has found a unique voice and inspiring energy,” she said.<\/p>\n
“Nokia Cape Town Fashion Week is a celebration of the diversity and creative passion of our designers.<\/p>\n
“Cape Town has long been where many first experience Africa, (so) it is apt that it has become the largest platform for showcasing our design talent.”<\/p>\n
dianneh@incape.co.za<\/p>\n
This article was originally published on page 13 of Cape Argus on July 05, 2014<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
African style is not just a garment – it’s a sensation July 5, 2014\/Tonight, South Africa By Dianne Hawker and Zara Nicholson Let there be sequins, jewellery, metres and metres of African-inspired fabric and all things decadently fashionable, dahling! Just days before the fourth annual Nokia Cape Town Fashion Week kicks off the entire fashion […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n