The knitting of collaborative networks and the shaping of a sustainable fashion future for South Africa – these will be some of the most exhilarating trends to watch at South African Fashion Weeks Spring Summer 23 Collections at the Mall of Africa from 20 – 23 April 2023.
Now in its 26th year, the country’s top fashion design platform, South African Fashion Week SS23, will host 11 shows over three days and show 39 collections.
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It will also host both a contingent of designers and models from neighbouring Mozambique Fashion Week as well as this year’s participants in the ground-breaking collaborative Italian/South African Fashion Bridges – I Ponti della Moda project.
“Regional and intercontinental collaborations such as these, allow all parties to knit networks of beneficial mutual support. They allow us to share skills and insights, open unexplored business opportunities, and ultimately, to extend the sphere of our respective creative visions to beyond our familiar borders,” says director Lucilla Booyzen.
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The value of a designer platform such as SAFW, extends to the industries that are integral to the whole “look and feel” of a given season too, says Booyzen. “The new hairstyle and make-up looks presented on the seasonal collections ramps are equally critical to the serious industry observers.”
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All the designers showing collections at South African Fashion Week this season, including Federico Cina, will also meet fashion institutes, trade associations, media and companies to exchange experiences, knowledge and creative styles.
A first-ever collaboration between the Mozambique and South African Fashion Weeks wraps up SS23 with a grand finale showcasing of Mozambican signatures Chibaia, Mabenna and Cuccla, accompanied by four top Mozambican models, Rachel Mbiza, Chantel Tomo, Rússel António and Ivanildo Lourenço.
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“South Africa is often viewed as the fashion capital of Africa, given its rich cultural multiplicity,” says Avashnee Moodley, Head of Marketing at OPPO South Africa.
Compiled by Rojaun Devos
