World Fashion Month is an excellent opportunity for international designers — ranging from Oscar de la Renta to Zac Posen — to show off their upcoming collections. The fashion shows are often entertaining, accompanied by loud, mood-setting music and changing lighting. The press writes about and photographs the runway collections for newspapers, magazines, internet and television so the general public can see what is going on in fashion. The World fashion month is a glitzy annual event which features a month of shows that showcase global fashion brands, designers and international models.

“With our commitment to the fashion industry as a whole, we will also be selecting eight South African designers to participate in World Fashion Month 2011 in the UAE where they will have a platform to showcase their designs to the world,” adds Cannelle de Ruig.

The search for Africa’s next modelling sensation kicked off at World Football House in Johannesburg  which accompanies the  launch of the “World Face of Fashion” competition.

Judges in the competition include cover girl and top model Joelle Kayembe, current Ms South Africa Nicol Flint and former Ms South Africa Claudia Henkel, who were all among the fashion stars who attended the glitzy launch at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. Auditions will continue till the 4th of July when the International model search ends and the winner is announced at the Africa Fashion Awards on the 5th of July.

The World Face of Fashion also includes a reality TV element as winners will be shown every Thursday on various lifestyle shows on SABC 2 and 3 up until 4th of  July. The final winner of this competition as part of her prize, will receive over R250,000 worth of prizes and be the first face for the international fashion & lifestyle event, World Fashion Month the next of which will be held in the United Arab Emirates in 2011.

If you would love be a part of the World face of fashion competition, please complete the form on the World Fashion Month website

World Football House
Sandton Convention Centre – Johannesburg
Maude Street Sandton 2196,
Johannesburg, South Africa

Info and photo credit: BreakingTravelNews

US cotton Subsidies which began in 2001 have had a huge impact on world prices for cotton in Africa, particularly Mali. This has led to a decline in cotton farming for a country that is dependent on cotton production for growing subsistence crops (food) and social services like schools and housing. This is the story of how African fashion entrepreneurs could bring new life to Mali’s dying cotton production.

Mali is one of the largest countries in Africa and also one of the poorest countries in the World. Half the population lives below the international poverty line and a third of the population depend on cotton to survive.

This is the story of how African fashion entrepreneurs could bring new life to Mali’s dying cotton industry.The report starts and ends in South Africa at Joburg Fashion week, which just passed. The South African designers show the potential for emerging designers to add value to cotton through the expansion of the cultural legacy in cloth making,dying, and weaving. Also included in the video is the tension around the lack of infrastructure in energy and technology which further puts limits on development of textile industry.

I believe this is the most appropriate time for a feature like this as South Africa is currently at the center of attention for the world due to the World Cup tournament being hosted there.

Video by Amanda Martinez, Featured in this video is talented South African designer Machere

-Romola

Funeka Ngwevela is totally obsessed with fashion and all that engulfs fashion, Only 22 and has chosen the fashion path she was to thread. The art of styling, she does not believe that one should have to sit in the a confined four-wall environment to know how to style; It should come from within. This South African beauty ignores the mockery and jests of the ”not-so-fashion-forward” friends and carries on her uniqueness! Funkela with her deep passion for the old school style of fashion, fashion photography, she’s out to take the fashion world by a storm!

FashionAfrica had the chance to catch up with this bubbly up and coming talent, here’s what she had to say..

FashionAfrica: What part of Southern Africa are you from exactly?

Funkela Ngwevela: I am from South Africa

FA: A lot of people know you as quirkystylista; Tell us a little more than we know about you already!( Your hobbies, your interests inclusive)

FN: My name is Funeka Ngwevela a 22 year old from Johannesburg. I am a vintage devotee. The 1920s and 1960s inspire me a lot. I have a muse for high fashion photography such as the works of Craig Mcdean . If am not vintage shopping I treat myself to live bands.

FA: How did this love/obsession for fashion come about?

FN: Spending a lot of time in a small town called Grahamstown has influenced me a lot. The town is rich of art and people with all walks of life and I felt compelled to take and learn something from everyone. That for me was fashion.

FA: How would you describe your style and what inspires this style of yours?

FN: My style is divided into two there is ‘the quirky stylista’ that is the quirky, carefree side of me and highly experimental when it comes to clothes. The other side is ‘Mademioselle Funi’ that is the classy, elegant and sophisticated side of me. ‘Mademoiselle funi’ explores the motto which says ‘how you dressed is how you will be addressed’.  I always “I feel like a French woman trapped in a Xhosa body”. So my style is Retro, Classic and effortless. The 1920s and 60s inspire and influence my wadrobe.

FA: What do you enjoy most about styling?

FN: I regard styling as art. Styling allows me to explore and experiment with clothes and create different looks.

FA: I would assume that being African could have put some strain on the ‘fashion lifestyle’ how did your community, family, friends accept this quirkiness?

FN: I have not yet been accepted by the community at large. I am always ridiculed and laughed at by those who have no sense of style. It does not really bother me because I believe we should all strive to be different and leave a mark!

FA: We noticed that you have done some styling for some photo shoots, did you at any point gone to Styling school?

FN: Yes, I have worked on a number of shoots such as the Charity Cases Show. I have never been to any styling. I believe that you cannot study styling because it is a talent from within.

FA: Have you had the opportunity to style any famous figures yet?

FN: No, not yet

FA: Are you into fashion full-time?

FN: No, I have other commitments like a regular job but that does not mean my dedication to fashion is waning. I put it first.

FA: You do some modelling as well, How do you balance everyday life, modelling, styling, blogging?

FN: Modelling and styling are not things I do everyday but given the chance I would.

FA: You were recently featured in an African Magazine, How did you feel about that?

FN: I am always looking for opportunities to put my name out there. One page of me in a magazine could be my launch pad. I am always happy.

FA: Do you see yourself doing so much more in the fashion Industry; where do you see your fashion career in 3 years?

FN: Yes!!! I would love to be behind fashion shows working with designers.

FA: Married, Single, Searching …. Which is your pick?

FN: I am single and searching for a French marquis

FA: What do you love most about your life and why?

FN: I love the people around me. They love and support what I do. Motivation goes a long way.

FA: If you had to choose a fashionista to follow their steps closely who would it be and why?

FN: Catherine Baba (the best dressed woman in Paris) I lover her work and her aura. She has captured lightening in a bottle as stylist.

FA: You have got fans, blog followers and readers who would like to be like you, what would you say to them in three words?

FN: Strive to be different (thats four words hey?)

FA: Thanks and Good Luck!

 

-‘Romola Sadiq

SA Fashion Week Takes New Direction With Summer 2010 Collections

The South African Fashion Week’s Summer 2010 Collections to be staged this month (March) will see a razor-shape focus on a new way forward for SA fashion.

Where:  The Forum Turbine Hall in Newtown, Johannesburg

We are redefining the core idea behind the staging of the event to align it firmly with the shared vision we and the participating designers have for tackling the challenges facing local design as we go into the next decade, says director Lucilla Booyzen.

When: 25-27th March, 2010

Eleven shows will be staged in three daily segments – morning, afternoon and evening – over three days from 25 – 27 March and showing the collections of 33 designers from across the country. Each of the morning and afternoon segments will be followed by a two-hour session where retail buyers and the media will be able to scrutinize each of the collections up close and interact directly with the designers.

It is TRUE that…

..that Iman will make an appearance at SAFW

…that Shanghai Tang has landed in South Africa.

You are Invited:

Visit Shanghai Tang’s Exclusive trunk show to view Shanghai Tang’s Spring/Summer 2010 ollection

Shanghai Tang’s Spring/summer 2010 Collection

28th April 2010 – 1st May 2010

Marble Arch Room, Southern Sun Hotel, Hyde Park.

RSVPs and Enquiries

Mr Rhys Ralph

+27 82 504 1881

Y.You’re Invited