The collections presented in Johannesburg to celebrate 21 Years of SA Fashion Week this month show that the future of fashion is blazing.
The twice-annual fashion shows ran from October 23 to 27 in Sandton City, showing the autumn-winter collections of dozens of established and emerging South African designers.
The SAFW New Talent Search kicked off the shows with Cindy Mfabe taking the prize. Others who showed were Artclub and Friends, Ode, No Shade, Fikile Sokhulu, Outerwear, Birth and Afrogrunge.
The first night also highlighted Style by SA in the shape of Rich Mnisi, Thebe Magugu, Wanda Lephoto, Mmuso Maxwell and the Watermelon Social Club.
On Day 2 SAFW took over the urban 44 Stanley, with five artisan collections from designers Black Coffee, Guillotine Design, Lunar, Five8ths and Hse of Bespoke by Waseefa Hutton.
Back at Sandton City, the home of SA Fashion Week, the BRICS show was an unforgettable affair. South African brand Mantsho by Palesa Mokubung lead the fashion pack, which included collections from Helen Rödel from Brazil, Irina Stetsko by Irina Stetsco from Russia, Ka-Sha by Karishma Shahani Khan from India and Heaven Gaia by Xiong Ying from China.
The evening continued in an extravagantly fashionable manner with showcases from Amanda Laird Cherry, Mozambican designer Shaazia Adam, Judith Atelier and Danielle Frylinck.
The menswear collections began with an installation from luxury brand Inga Atelier. Then the 2018 SAFW Cape Wools Designer Challenge winning collections by womenswear brand Erre and Carlo Gibson’s Klipa menswear label took to the runway, showcasing the luxury and versatility of wool.
SA designer Ryan Keys presented his ladies wear and menswear collections and then Day 1 of SAFW Men came to a close with a dynamic group of young South African brands, Virtue SA, Bi Parel, Urban Outlaw 69, Blvnk and Roq Men Africa.
SAFW wrapped up on Day Five on Saturday October 27 with a capsule collection born from the collaboration between power brand Mini and Mini Scouting Menswear 2018 winner Sandile Mlambo of Kumkani Bespoke.
Esnoko brought his signature eclectic mix of styles and fabrics, traditional vintage and urban funk.
To end the night and the season the Bakusasa Collections designers took to the ramp, with Bayanda Khathini, Sipho Mbuto, Ntando XV, Zamaswazi and N.O.T.E Clothing.