SA Fashion Week Announces Finalists For It's 2021 SAFW New Talent Search

Established in 1998, this SA Fashion Week competition serves as a springboard for the designers, who enter, with those selected as finalists securing several opportunities for long-term growth.

Now in its 22nd year, the new talent search is illustrative of the SAFW long-term commitment in the development of the country’s fashion design talent.

SA Fashion Week New Talent Search In Detail

Designers, who display a strong potential for commercial growth, are supported through their transition from a young creative business to one which is not only sustainable but will further, aid job creation and contribute to the growth of the local industry and the economic growth of South Africa’s GDP.

In addition, the new talent search provides invaluable industry insights and the opportunity for successful entrants to showcase their skills while connecting with sought-after media, buyers, boutiques, online stores and new clients.

SA Fashion Week

There are several financial benefits for the winners, providing essential funds and mentorship to kick-start their businesses.

Print Was Essential

As print has become an integral part of fashion design the brief for the 2021 search was ‘Show Us Your Print, Shaping the Future of Sustainable Fashion’.

Entrants were required to consider 2021 world trends and submit a detailed portfolio of their proposed collection consisting of seven looks. Entrants were required to consider fabrics that have the least impact on the environment in creating a timeless and trans-seasonal collection.

About The SA Fashion Week Competition

Designers were briefed to combine contemporary shapes, styles and construction with their creative inspiration and designs around using natural materials and sustainably sourced fabrics.

Essential to the brief was the undertaking of substantial research to ensure an understanding of ‘slow fashion’ and the way one can live it as well as play a role in shaping the future of sustainable fashion. Judging for the 2021

SA Fashion Week New Talent Search took place on January 21, by the following seven industry leaders:

David West, SUPERBALIST.COM, head of design

Sahil Harilal, Sunday Times fashion editor

Sarah Proudfoot, TRUWORTHS Womenswear buying and design director

Ryan Bourquin, national fashion sales agent

Sumendra Chetty, MERCHANTS ON LONG and OKAPI fashion buyer and head of retail

Megan Nel, Apparel and Accessories brand and product development agent

Rebecca Gunn, Big Blue Fashion buyer and production manager

SA Fashion Week congratulates the following six New Talent Search 2021 finalists:

Artho Eksteen- Artho Eksteen, Cape Town

Fikile Sokhulu- Fikile Zamagcino Sokulu, KwaZulu-Natal

Marguerite Mc Alpine- Mc Alpine, Gauteng

Michael Ludwig Hittinger- Michael Ludwig Studio, Cape Town

Sipho Mbuto- Sipho Mbuto, KwaZulu-Natal

Thulani Vuyo Mlambo- Saint Vuyo by Thulani Vuyo Mlambo, Gauteng

The winner of the 2021 New Talent Search receives:

R20, 000 towards the development of the designer’s SS22 Collection.

Showcase at the 2022 New Talent Search, shared show, valued at R12, 500.

One free stand at the SAFW Designer Pop-Up, valued at R 6, 000.

All finalists will receive a free stand at the SS21 Trade Show where they are provided with the invaluable opportunity to do market research and sell to boutiques, departmental and online stores.

Total prize value: ± R45 500.00.

The winner will be announced on April 29, 2021.

Virtual 2020-21

Last year, SAFW went virtual through the covid 19 pandemic as seen below.

Over 200 Cases Of Covid-19 In South Africa, But That Won’t Stop SA Fashion Week This April

The pandemic brought a halt to many fashion events and saw more innovative ones go virtual such as London Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, Accra Fashion Week and more.

There is no saying what the state of the pandemic maybe but it will be good to see the work of this finalist layed out on an actual runway show.

For more information on SA Fashion Week, visit info@safashionweek.co.za

Ghana

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