Second year of this event is bigger as young fashion designers showcase their wares
Models walk down the runway dressed by the Raspy Thrift Store
By Ashraf Hendricks
11 September 2017
On Saturday, young local designers showed their work at the second Khayelitsha Fashion Week. Nine designers and over ten performers participated in the two-day event hosted at the Isivivana Centre. Some for the brands include Nesh Couture, Cnexor Designs and “Trending …”.
Bongani Matenjwa founder of the Khayelitsha Fashion Week says that he started it to give exposure to young talent in the area. “We want to grow these local designers and prepare them for the bigger platforms,” he says. Unlike the larger fashion shows such as the Mercedes Benz and Soweto Fashion Week which is only open to experienced designers, Matenjwa uses “raw, local designers”. In the future, Matenjwa hopes to promote the Khayelitsha fashion show beyond South Africa, and to open a store that showcases local designers.
Guests take photos in the courtyard before the start of the event.Models get their makeup done before hitting the runway.A model holding a handbag by Fashion Style walks the runway.22-year-old Snethemba Harmans is from Mfuleni and creator of Cnexor Designs. Established in 2016, Harmans creates “custom made and ready-to-wear clothing”.26-year-old Sibabalo Tyasi from Crossroads talks about his fashion label. He and two others started the brand “Trending …” last year. Coming from a disadvantaged background, they started creating fashion in order to improve their standard of living. Tyasi says that he is excited about being in his first fashion show as it will expose his brand and offer opportunies for collaboration.Designs by Blaq Ngamla.Designs by Dalavegas Creations.Guests watch the fashion show.
