SA Fashion Week & Me

Having joined the fashion industry as an intern in the beginning of 2015, I have had the privilege to witness the continuation, rise, fall & the seeming rise again of SA Fashion week. I’ve said it time & time again, between the years of 2017-2019 SA Fashion week was not only alive & thriving with some of the most talented designers our country has ever produced, but it was also teaming with top notch sponsors. Sponsors that could give local designers opportunities to become house-hold names. Then Covid happened & all seemed lost.

Now, I’m not going to pretend to know the ins & outs of the SA Fashion Week brand, yet I do know it is a massively important platform in our country which doesn’t get the credit it deserves. Whether it be the bitchy opinions of self-proclaimed tastemakers or the short-sighted business choices of prominent South African department stores, SA Fashion week should be spoken about with reverence & respect. It should be spoilt for choice when it comes to brand partnerships & it should be, as the name implies a week long. There feels to be a large disconnect between the brand, the business & the designers. I don’t know why, how or when but something needs to change.

This latest season, Autumn,Winter 24’ was held at The Mall of Africa, a partnership that has been going on for years. Through the grim days of COVID, Mall of Africa has been there, helping & supporting the brand & making sure designers maintain a space to showcase their work. In my humble opinion I think it’s time for a venue change. A venue that is in the heart of Jozi, its culture & its people. MOA, for all it’s fabulous stores & restaurants, just isn’t very inspiring. Perhaps hosting the show by the outdoors area, as was done in 2017 will offer something a little livelier & allow attendees to get OOTD images that don’t involve a parking garage.

With that said, this most recent season’s production was great. Mr Price’s activation was lovely if not a little small, CRUZ vodka’s photo booth was uninspired… Yet it was the runway & seating that got me excited. At long last, the raked seating is back. I loved the asymmetrical setup & the projector added that extra bit of style. Even if some shows lacked lustre, it felt original & upmarket.

My favourite shows included Viviers, Black Coffee & Bam Collective. I was extremely impressed with Michael Ludwig Studios latest collection. Munkus & Fikile Sokhulu- designers I was first introduced to through SA Fashion week always deliver a collection that is both rooted in their brand yet fresh enough for the new season. Mantsho brings the drama while the scouting menswear show brings new names to the industry Congrats to winner SinChui.

All things considered; it was a successful season & I felt fabulous in both my looks. First night in Boys of Soweto & my late great-aunts vintage Porsche sunglasses. Second night in a delectable pink suit by Suits by Bob the Stylist & a thrifted white shirt that I need in every colour.

Congrats to every single designer. It is an achievement in itself to show at SA Fashion Week & I cannot wait to be able to offer local brands on Big Bad Batch. Watch this space.