Posts Tagged: AFI

AFI Fastrack launches exciting fashion reality-series

7 December 2021, Sandton. WATCH four emerging designers compete for the sought-after title of AFI Fastrack – Young Designer of the Year 2021. This six-part mini-series provides an inside-look into the workings of the South African fashion industry, with designers participating in three challenges to win the creative affections of viewers – their most crucial judge.

Airing weekly on YouTube, every Monday and Tuesday from 6 December until 21 December, African Fashion International (AFI) presents a thrilling stand-off of fashion. Young designers are competing for a share of a total cash prize of R100 000, with the winner taking 50% and the remainder shared amongst the runners-up as start-up capital to invest in their brand and an exclusive retail opportunity with AFI’s House of Nala concept store.

Challenging designers to stretch their creativity toward trends that reflect our current climate, the Fastrack runway is a showcase of affordable sustainability, power looks that embolden an evolving work-life balance, and an extraordinary presentation of Fashion Week capsule collections, all with an edgy, Afro-centric twist.

Contestants competing this season is Keneuoe Mhletswa from Lesotho; Siyabonga Mtshali from Richards Bay; Cheron Dreyer from Cape Town; and Shamyra Moodley from Cape Town. Judging their style choices is designer Marize Bolton, who is joined by the AMEN duo, Brad and Abiah. 

The reality-series extends the reach and influence of Africa’s emerging designers by inviting you, the viewer, to predict the winner. Cast your vote HERE and stand a chance to win weekly prizes and a cash prize of R5000 at the show’s finale. 

Promoting the launch of the series, founder and chief executive of AFI, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe remarks, “Africa’s burgeoning cohort of young designers are offering a refreshing and thoughtful take on style. Their unique fusion of Afro-centric and western youth culture is escalating in global appeal. Together with AFI and House of Nala, Fastrack is a programme that supports designers while also supporting access for a growing market of diverse people who are interested in the creative perceptions coming the continent”. 

Watch the Fastrack Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9DPoyKYMxk

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Comments from Judges

Brad and Abiah

“There is honestly nothing more exhilarating than watching the crop of emerging designers introduce themselves to the industry. It was great to see their passion, excitement, and all their hard work come together backstage as they prepared to showcase for the first time at a world-class fashion show. I hope viewers will see the amount work, hours and skills needed in order to make a name for oneself in the fashion and creative industries,” writes the design duo Brad and Abiah.

Marize Bolton

Fellow judge Marize Bolton adds, “I hope that people will see how much hard work goes into creating something and how much garments should be treasured and valued and taken great care off. Showing people the gruelling process behind each item that hangs on a hanger in a store, making them aware of the fact that each item has gone through many hands and should therefore be cared for. I always focus on the process, if one can see, understand and respect a process that is when learning happens. I hope that people will learn about the process of creativity, the process of how a designer works, the process of how clothing is made, and the process of being a young designer that has the guts to follow their dreams”.

About AFI Fastrack 

Launched in 2008, AFI Fastrack is a national graduate fashion platform. Designed to run as a year-long programme, all emerging designers are paired with industry mentors, and access marketing, sales and showcasing opportunities through AFI’s House of Nala concept store and bi-annual Fashion Weeks. 

The title AFI Young Designer of the Year has launched winners into international networks, including household names Rich Mnisi and Thebe Magugu.

AFI Afterparty

After the Masterclass AFI hosted us to a night of networking and we sure did meeting the likes of an amazing Jazz band that covers songs. On the record one of band members mentioned how us as Africans do not want to pay full price for their work which can be frustrating because music is a form of creative process like designing like film making that deserves a full price

As the sunset on Sandton The Leonard Hotel on the 38th floor Dr Precious Motsepe took the podium and mentioned how proud she was for the work The Motsepe Foundation is putiing back into the fashion industry but most importantly how proud she was for us the youth that continue to strive in the post COVID 19 era with our creativity and passion to make this industry grow. 

On another note she mentioned that companies ever since COVID 19 have spent their charitable budget on COVID 19 neglecting other organisations like the CAN/SA organisation which was why The Motsepe Foundation is donating 1 million rands into the CAN/SA foundation to help fight cancer in South Africa which really got a standing ovation because its something we saw but didn’t.

The president of CAF Patrice Motsepe made and appearance which we appreciated who also got to tell me (Kev Zulu) words of encouragement in a private setting 

And just like that beau, Fashion week has officially launched but other than fashion its supporting amazing initiatives which makes this Fashion week even more special 

AFI Masterclass

After getting invited to the beautiful Leonard Hotel in Sandton we knew that AFI didn’t come to pay games especially after a very COVID 19 year  

African creative in the 21st Century was the topic of the day and our panel of experts didn’t disappoint with this Masterclass 

The host touched on every question that was on our minds which made us feel not only connected but a part of the growing industry in Africa 

Riky Rick the reminded us on how South African rappers used to use a mold that would “fit” an international style but now with artist like Riky and Big Zulu to name a few we are slowing breaking the shell and being authentically ourselves which isn’t supposed to be describable as we just are. 

Film expert Yolanda Ncokotwana touched on the matter of how our story telling was different from the rest of the African continent mentioning we use dialog more, which opened up a discussion then “What is a South African niche in the global market” because as we African can see when a movie is from abroad and we call that “international movies” and we neglect the fact that we too can create blockbuster movies unless we are creating for a particular group which shouldn’t be neglected like the queer community 

Anisa Mpungwe the designer was also in the panel and she answered a very interesting question on textile, fabric and prints on how are African designers HAVE to use print to show off their Africanicity and how she responded was standing ovation worthy that we as Africans don’t do our research when it comes to African designers mentioning that there are designers that don’t use prints to show off their Africanicity but just make beautiful clothes that aren’t boxed in creativity which is where we are heading as the industry 

After the Masterclass AFI hosted us to a night of networking and we sure did meeting the likes of an amazing Jazz band that covers songs. On the record one of band members mentioned how us as Africans do not want to pay full price for their work which can be frustrating because music is a form of creative process like designing like film making that deserves a full price 

And just like that beau, Fashion week has officially launched but other than fashion its supporting amazing initiatives which makes this Fashion week even more special 

Check out pictures of the event here  

Imprint ZA

Introducing Designer Mzukisi

Found of Imprint ZA, An African luxury fashion brand that was created more than 5 years ago to celebrate the glamour as well as to tell a story of African an ancestors using iconic prints, Fabrics and specific points in time in order to create unique fashion forward and wearable clothing and accessories

R5,200 South African Flag Suit

R2,310 People Print Suit