#MBFWCT2013 | Press Release

Next week, AfricanFashion International (AFI) will be hosting the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Cape Town (MBFWCT) from 7 – 10 August 2013. Close to thirty local fashion labels will display their upcoming Spring/Summer 2013/2014 collections at the home of Cape Town Fashion Week, the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

In line with AFI’s theme for 2013, the event will celebrate the strength of “Fashion, Art & Design” in the City of Cape Town leading up to the city’s status as the World Design Capital 2014. The event, taking place in “Women’s Month”, will also highlight and salute the impact that the fashion industry has on the lives of women. 

MBFWCT kicks off on the 7th August with a Gala dinner hosted by the official event partner, the City of Cape Town, at the historic Civic Centre. The evening will include a fashion presentation from two emerging designers. One of the designers showcasing is Earnest Mahomane, a developmental designer being mentored by one of fashion’s foremost creators and MBFWCT’s event producer, Gavin Rajah. Also showcasing will be head designer Kelly Davids’ emerging fashion label, MilQ and Honey. 

“Mentoring young up-and-coming designers, and providing them with access to top industry experts and opportunities, has been integral to AFI’s way of developing the industry,” says Bella Cebekhulu, Business Development Manager at AFI. She adds that “AFI is grateful to the many designers and fashion-insiders who remain open to welcoming new talent and sharing their skills with them.”

AFI has also curated a strong showing of successful women-led design businesses including Jenny le Roux at Habits, Gabi Rosenwerth at Rosenwerth and eponymous labels Stefania Morland and Cheryl Arthur. “We are especially excited that, in keeping with our company’s culture of empowering women, we can honour the pillars of the fashion industry: the female entrepreneurs and design-leaders; the consumers who drive the success of clothing in this country; and the unsung heroines behind-the-scenes,” says Kyle Boshoff, Communications Officer. In valuing these heroines, AFI will also be presenting an exhibition titled “Women Behind the Seams”. 

Staged in the form of an art gallery display, the exhibition was conceptualised by MBFWCT Creative Director, Gavin Rajah and will celebrate the women ‘behind the designer’; these are the women who translate a creative vision into the garments that walk down the runway. This exhibition is the starting block for a year for a coffee table book, using these images as well as shooting other women in the fashion industry. These profiles will include fashion entrepreneurs, designers, models, producers and hair and make-up artists. This ongoing project will be finalised in August 2014 and released to celebrate Women’s month once again.

As part of their CSI initiative, AFI will again this year treat three women from the NGO, the Clothing Bank, to a complete make-over in an effort to applaud their hard-work and success at using the clothing industry to create a sustainable living for themselves and their families.

Menswear, which is receiving heightened importance internationally, has also not been ignored this season. Men’s apparel will be represented by Fabiani, Ruald Rheeder and Adriann Kuiters as well as AFI Fastrack™ 2012 winner Kim Gush; Dax Martin and Craig Port will be catering for women’s and men’s ranges. The closing day (Saturday 10 August) will open with a celebration of Johannesburg-based designers looking to speak to a national customer base, including David Tlale, Thula Sindi, Loin Cloth & Ashes and Morphe.

Other notable designers include Lalesso (whose designs have been lauded by international style icon Kimora Lee Simmons) and national retailing fashion label Tart, as well as the other exciting S/S collections from Lara Klawikowski and Goat Clothing (both showing under AFI Next Generation), Danielle Margaux, Non-European, Shana, Lo, Spilt Milk, Michelle Ludek, Leigh Schubert, Tart and Lazuli.

This season’s shows will be produced by respected industry-experts, producers Deon Redman (Deon Redman Creative Productions), Mary Reynolds (Tramps) and Jan Malan (Umzingeli Productions). The three will be joined by Group of Creatives (headed up by Simon and Jennifer Deiner). Heading up the team is CD, Gavin Rajah Concepts, whose direction on the look and feel of the event will speak to the “Fashion, Art & Design” theme.

AFI looks forward to hosting the fashion industry at this world-class event once again. Tickets will be available at www.webtickets.co.za prior to the event and prices range from R100-R250. 

ELLE Style Reporter 2013

ELLE magazine and BlackBerry® are once again joining forces to create a remarkable opportunity for young fashionistas and street style spotters to launch an online career in the world of fashion. I jumped at the opportunity last year, made to the top 20 and sadly that where my journey ended, now that the search is in its second consecutive year,  it's your turn enter. If you are a blogger who is perfectly attuned with what’s new on the streets, the catwalks and can spot a trend before anyone else, you my friend, should be jumping at this opportunity, who knows you might make it further than I it.

Here is what's at stake: Apart from receiving a 12-month contract with ELLE and the opportunity to report for elle.co.za, the winner will also receive a monthly stipend of R5 000, a Fujifilm XF-1 camera and a BlackBerry® Q5 and BlackBerry® Z10 smartphone. In addition, a photography or desktop publishing course from Vega and the opportunity to be mentored by well-known photographer and head judge, Ed Suter, is also up for grabs.  With the title comes the opportunity for regular exposure in ELLE as well as on the social media platforms of ELLE and BlackBerry and the chance to attend an international fashion week in 2014.

Here is the deed: To enter, a new blog must be created and for the first post, street style at its most dynamic and exciting must be communicated. Entrants are free to choose any context but they will need to shoot and convey fashion on the move, drawing on creative ability and fashion knowledge. While originality and confidence are key, the post needs to be coherent and cohesive as entrants will also be judged on writing and communication skills. For more information on the competition and entry details turn to page 28 of the August issue of ELLE mag on sale now.

Get your form here and stay in the loop on here.