AFI will be launching Africa Fashion Week
African Fashion International (AFI) will be launching Africa Fashion Week in 2007, hosting the very best fashion designers from twenty countries across the African continent.
The World Economic Forum (African Chapter) held in Cape Town, South Africa from 13-15 June 2007, put African Fashion on their agenda for the first time. AFI played a key role in hosting a dinner discussion on the future of fashion in Africa and how to make it globally competitive.
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 MTN Durban Fashion Week (MTNDFW)
Jun 27-30, 2007, Durban, South Africa |
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| MTN Durban Fashion Week 2007 – A Showcase for SA’s Best Young & Emerging Talent |
Building on a strong foundation, MTN Durban Fashion Week is back for a third year and is set to rock Durban! Following two exceptionally successful years – MTN Durban Fashion Week has found its niche and is now firmly entrenched on the South African  fashion calendar. South Africa’s cradle for young and emerging design talent, MTNDFW 2007 and will take place from 27 – 30 June 2007 at an exciting new venue unique to Durban – on the Sundeck at the Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World.
Co-owned by Leisureworx and VShe Promotions, this year MTNDFW will showcase the best of South Africa’s design talent. “We do things differently on the East Coast. Our unique mix of fashion and entrepreneurial talent coupled with youthful freshness affords us the opportunity to present an exclusive fashion extravaganza,” said Vanashree Singh, VShe Promotions director and convener of MTNDFW.
“The pulse of the developing fashion industry, MTNDFW’s focus is on broadening the scope of talent and on defining Durban’s role as the seat of young and emerging South African fashion talent,” she continued.
“MTNDFW is fulfilling a vital role in the local fashion calendar and falls in line with our strategic objectives of unearthing and developing young designers,” elaborated Leisureworx Chairperson, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe.
“Local young designers now have a platform to showcase their work alongside some of South Africa’s most established designers, many of whom hail from Durban, and in doing so increase awareness and support of their brands” Vanashree said. A major focus of MTN Durban Fashion Week has always been the business of fashion and as a promotional vehicle MTNDFW strives to drive export and employment growth in the clothing and textile industry in South Africa.
As a centre of excellence for fashion and design, Durban produces extraordinary talent. We invite the world to come and discover the best new young and emerging South African talent at MTNDFW ’07.
Durban Fashion Week
Launched in 2005 at the Durban International Convention Centre, Durban Fashion Week showcases the best of young and emerging South African designers, as well as providing a platform for SA’s top designers and couturiers. Last year nearly 50 designers – both local and international – shared the catwalk in a fashion extravaganza which has now taken its place on the international fashion calendar.
Visit www.durbanfashionweek.com for further information
VShe Promotions
A Durban-based company specialising in the fashion industry, VShe Promotions has a 50% stake in Durban Fashion Week and is owned and directed by Vanashree Singh. As one of its projects, VShe Promotions was instrumental in co-founding Durban Fashion Week, an event which has played an important role in placing Durban firmly in the international fashion arena.
Leisureworx
Leisureworx is a leading South African event management and marketing company specializing in conceiving, managing and implementing major fashion events.
Leisureworx is majority owned and headed by Chairperson Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe and was started in 1999 by CEO Paul Jackson. Leisureworx now owns and operates premier fashion events such as Durban Fashion Week, Cape Town Fashion Week and Audi Joburg Fashion Week.
Visit www.leisureworx.com for further information. |
South Africa's Hottest Young Designers to show at
MTN Durban Fashion Week 2007
 Durban is a city that boasts a fascinating tapestry of cultures and communities, and a city whose diversity has contributed an incredible wealth of design talent to South Africa. Recognised and acknowledged by industry professionals as the cradle of young talent, MTN Durban Fashion Week, convened by Vanashree Singh of Vshe Promotions and a director of Durban Fashion Week , has for the past two years supported and grown talent in the fashion industry.
“This year one of the focuses of MTN Durban Fashion Week is to grow young and emerging South African design talent, while still offering our established designers an international platform to showcase their collections,” says Vanashree. Positioned as the cradle of emerging talent, MTNDFW will springboard rising design talent into the limelight from 27-30 June 2007.
The Young Designer Search kicked off toward the end of 2006 with a call to entry sent out to more than 23 leading South African design academies. The schools were required to send through the portfolios of their top graduating students of 2006 from which a selection panel of highly respected industry representatives selected the cream of the crop who will be invited to showcase their work at MTN Durban Fashion Week 2007.
We’re very proud to announce the 12 young designers who will showcase at MTN Durban Fashion Week 2007: Lauren Taylor and Palesa Chechile of the Durban University of Technology; Melissa Paulus of Linea Academy; Thuthukani Chonco of Lindiwe Kuzwayo School of Fashion; Michelle Lowe from the School of Fashion Design (PMB); Francisca Griffiths and Pascalle Kruger of CT College of Fashion Design; Emma Coleman and Vivienne Thomet of the Design Academy of Fashion; Verona Gordon of Haute Couture School of Fashion Design; and Crystal Birch from the Elizabeth Galloway School of Fashion Design.
“We chose a panel of judges who have a keen eye for talent, are established and respected in their industries and who understand the vibrant design and business tapestry of Durban,” said Vanashree. The judging panel included media fashion fundi Glynis Horning; Greg Wallis – Head of the Durban Fashion and Design Council; internationally recognised designer – Gideon; and Fathima Kolia - Department of Economic Development, Sector Development: Clothing and Textiles, to name a few.
Commenting on the young designers who have been selected to show at MTNDFW, Wallis said, “They have an abundance of raw talent and I will be working closely with them in the run up to the event, helping to polish their work and getting them ready to shine on stage.”
“If the South African fashion design industry is to have a buoyant future and take it’s rightful place on the international fashion platform, it’s critical that our designers of tomorrow are encouraged and nurtured today, “ said Vanashree. “Our intention is to establish MTN Durban Fashion Week as the seat of emerging South African fashion talent internationally!”
Prepared for MTN Durban Fashion Week
On behalf of Vanashree Singh
For more information, contact:
Debbie-Lee Kelly – PR Director, D/M/Y Connections
Or
Novisha Sewbalas – PR Co-ordinator, D/M/Y Connections
Tel: (031) 267-6600 Fax (031) 267-6632
Email: Debbie-lee.kelly@tbwa.co.za
Novisha.sewbalas@tbwa.co.za
MTN Durban Fashion Week
www.durbanfashionweek.com |
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