South African Fashion Week kicks off with a live audience

South African Fashion Week kicked off with live audiences for the first time since the pandemic.

This season, 29 designers will unveil their collections this October fashion week for the Fall/Winter 2022 collection at Crystal Court at the Mall of Africa.

According to Lucille Booyzen, CEO of South African Fashion Week;

“This is the first live fashion week we are doing after Covid. We’ve done two very, very interesting and very well received digital broadcasts. But it’s a first and you know, gaging from the audience, they’re all set. Because you know, fashion needs to be seen, fashion needs to be experienced. And fashion needs to be a space where people express themselves.”

Some of the new designers who will appear include the six finalists of the Boy Scout Competition. They are Marquin Sampson, Refuse Clothing Brand, Saint Vuyo, Umsweko, Vanklan and Boyde.

“I think Africa or, South Africa has so many talented people and it’s important for us to constantly, be able to express ourselves in so many different ways, so I’m really enjoying the experience right now, it’s really great” says Thhobeka Msane, conceptual artist.

Mall of Africa, one of the organizers of this year’s fashion week, said: “We are very proud to be able to support South African design, both by hosting dynamic exhibitions and by making retail opportunities available to talented fashion entrepreneurs.

According to Michael Peter Reid, South African designer,“In South Africa our industry is completely different, our education in fashion is very different. So working with Italian fashion designers, working with Polimoda, Camera Nazionale della Moda and of course the Italian trade industry, and everyone. It’s great to have that.” lots of support. And it helps us to be better designers. I will never design the same again.”

The designers will showcase their work at the SAFW Pop Up Shop from December 3-5, where fashionistas can purchase exclusive outfits and interact directly with the designers.