With memories of his first international showcase in Dubai, where he could hardly afford a taxi from the airport in 2017, Lorraine fashion designer Carlos Fritz is determined to scrape together enough material to represent the Eastern Cape in Italy for the second time in June.
Fritz, 34, was handpicked through the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) to showcase 20 garments at the Torino (Turin) Fashion Week along with other SA designers.
He was one of about 20 SA designers who took part in the show in 2018, after applying through the agency.
“With last year’s show we applied through – and were selected by – Seda after Torino Italy Fashion Week told Seda it was looking for SA designers.
“But this year I was notified that the fashion week team had specifically asked for me to return with the 2019 group,” Fritz said.
His travel, accommodation and entry costs will be funded but he must cough up production costs to make 20 garments before the fashion week starts on June 25.
“I really just want to make the Eastern Cape, SA and everyone who has ever believed in me proud,” he said.
While thrilled about the opportunity, Fritz recalled the highs and lows of his Dubai trip where he had applied for the competition phase of the fashion show as it was all he could afford.
Luckily, he was promoted to showcase on the main show after impressing one of the show runners with his work.
“That was the most stressful yet fortunate showcase for me.
“I literally left SA with [just more than R200] and that wasn’t even enough to cover a cab from the airport to my friend’s place.
“If it wasn’t for that friend, I don’t know how I would’ve afforded accommodation in Dubai,” Fritz said.
For the 2018 show in Italy, Fritz managed to raise enough funds the night before he had to leave for Europe.
“This year I just need help with fabric, production and haberdashery.
“I’m doing some fundraising events but I have very little time to put everything together,” he said.
Fritz Designs specialises in exclusive evening and bridal wear in the Bay and abroad.
However, Fritz will be switching things up at the fashion show, adding modern everyday wear and underwear to his pieces.
“I didn’t make sales in Italy at the 2018 shows because my garments are not the kind you can wear any day, anywhere.
“What makes me more confident and excited about this year is that I am now familiar with the market so I know exactly what to make,” Fritz said.
Although he knew from a young age that fashion designing was his destiny, Fritz only took the bold step to focus on his craft full time four years ago.
He spent a great part of his life hopping from one corporate job to another to please his parents.
“My parents were completely against me becoming a fashion designer until very recently.
“When I reached 30, I realised my parents had everything yet I had not made anything of myself.
“That’s when I packed my bags and moved to Port Elizabeth to focus on fashion.”
Fritz was born in King William’s Town and obtained a diploma in fashion design from the Buffalo City FET College in 2005.
“I had to spin a story when I arrived home having registered for a fashion design course after my father had given me money for another course.
“I told him the other course had a very long and chaotic queue when it was in fact the fashion queue that was longer,” he said.
Soon after arriving in Port Elizabeth, Fritz was mentored by and worked for seasoned designer Braemore LundallSauls for several months before flying solo towards his debut runway showcase at Mandela Bay Fashion Week in 2017.