Local designers are still raving about the fashion show hosted by First Style Designs at the Porche Villa Hotel in Tswinga on 18 February this year, where they showed off their unique designs on the runway.
The founder of First Style Designs, Ms Azwinndini Muvhango, said the aim of the event was to give local designers the opportunity to showcase their own designs and see what other designers were doing.
"Pop-up shops were also set up in front of the fair where their designs could be showcased. We had local designers like Melpree, Popi Meregi, Valore Diligenta from VD Emporium, Simply Lushaka, Loud Designs, Enda Group, Africa Fashion Alive, Lekxie Elite Boutique, Agnes Ndou, J Maroka, and others."
Muvhango was very satisfied that the show had gone so well. "We reached out to various stakeholders and the project was led by Jane International Luxe and Sandra Nngwedzeni Ndou. We also received support and funding from the National Arts Council, the National and Vhembe Department of Sport, Art and Culture, the Presidential Incentive, Univen FM, and Mazuwo Media. We managed to create employment for various companies and individuals, such as Porche Villa for locals, music DJs and makeup artists, and we managed to recruit 15 local models and one from Swaziland."
Muvhango said First Style Designs recognised the textile and fashion industry as being among the largest and fastest-growing economic sectors in Africa. "The fashion show was about more than showing off the latest designs. It was about shedding light on perspectives. As we seek solutions to various challenges in Africa, First Style Designs is committed to promoting commerce between local entrepreneurs from catwalks to retail and developing a viable marketplace," she said.
She went on to say that First Style Designs would this year incubate designers and models to train them on various aspects of the business through a range of activities, including an artist development workshop. She said the only challenge they face was a low turnout because of a lack of connectivity, flooding and the weather.
"I would like to thank the people who took part in the project: Lindiwe Gigaba from AFA Company and her team, young artist DJ Jabulani, the MC and the photographers. By the grace of God, everything went well," she said.