While glamorizing this year’s Women’s Month celebrations, the second annual Ebubeleni Fashion Week also contributes to the preparations for the 12th annual Ebubeleni Festival in 2023.
On Saturday, August 12, the fashion show will take place at the Boardwalk International Convention Center.
A non-profit organization called Ebubeleni Festival Projects, which was founded in 2019 with the express purpose of concentrating on the growth of the arts, culture, and fashion sectors in Nelson Mandela Bay and the larger Eastern Cape, is responsible for the program.
In order to promote the creative diversity of Nelson Mandela Bay, project manager Busisiwe Nxele said, “We aim to increase activity in the regional fashion sector; create retail demand by giving emerging designers a chance to be exposed to potential national buyers and media; create a fashion buzz in the region, sparking the interest of outside guests to visit the city, and rank it on the World Fashion Capital list.”
“There are many brilliant young fashion designers in the Eastern Cape, especially those who graduate from college but are dissatisfied by the lack of opportunities to sell their goods. As a result, they leave the Bay to pursue professions in larger towns like Joburg and Cape Town.
“We are happy that several of the designers that took part in our most recent fashion show were acknowledged. Some are creating clothing for the stars of the telenovela Gqeberha the Empire.
“At our first fashion show, we were able to generate more than 80 jobs, which the industry gladly benefited from, especially given that it occurred during the challenging years of COVID-19.”
The designers were approached with a request for their most current work, along with their bios and an explanation of what motivates their designs.
The opportunity to develop a new collection and present it on the runway of the fashion show will be granted to the ten chosen local designers.
A group of business leaders will judge these designers for a cash award.
The entire line will be eligible for the first prize, while the “Royalty We Are Africa” show-stopping outfit will be awarded the second prize.
The 10 selected designers to showcase their works are Quza Designs by Ayanda Quza, Azato Couture by Gladys Azato, Thee King’s Inc by Thandile Ndamase, Birth Mark by Asithandile Zixesha, Mismash Designs by Nomahlubi Mashiya, Kat Lebea Designs by Katleho Lebea, Handmade by Tazleigh Swartz, Thembani Selani, Christopher Tom, Alkebulan by Sihle Champion.
Five fashion design students from Nelson Mandela University (NMU) and two guest designers, including House of Chilli by Namhla Fihla and Imprint SA by Mzukisi Mbane, will also present their work.
On July 15, a casting call for male and female models took place at the Tramways building. A total of 171 models attended, and 24 multicultural young models were chosen.
The Fashion Week program will include designers’ workshops where local designers who didn’t make it will be worked on by one of the top local designers, one national designer, a national retail buyer, and an NMU fashion design lecturer as part of the effort to encourage local designers.
Through their clothing, the designers and performers will convey a narrative.
Participants are urged to stay on theme and display how they interpret “Royalty We are African”.
Ami Faku and Zuko SA, two multi-award-winning artists, will perform.
Doors for the Red Carpet open at 5 p.m., and the program begins at 6 p.m.
Tickets are R500 each and are available nationally via Webtickets, Pick n Pay, and Boxer stores.
Content courtesy of HeraLd Live & NFH
