A fashion designer from Delft has made it onto the shortlist for showcasing at the Africa Fashion Week in London, which is scheduled to take place in October 2023.
Anita Hlazo, is a graduate of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), and owner of the fashion brand, Afrogrunge.
Afrogrunge was born from Hlazo’s personal experiences as a black girl in Cape Town. She blended black culture with the caucasian-established subculture grunge, which was uncommon in her community of Gugulethu at the time.
‘I subscribed to studs, piercings, thrifting, individuality, skateboarding and uniqueness. I openly loved hip hop and I secretly enjoyed rock music. I would save up money and buy music magazines, second hand books at Mabu Vynil, then it was on Kloof Street,’ Hlazo said.
Due to a lack of acceptance and understanding of her expression through clothing, body modification and genre of music, she felt the need to see individuals like her on the internet. She realised there was a lack of representation offline and online, as well as accessibility to this style in stores around her.
After completing her degree in fashion design, she transformed her idea and identity into a successful business. Since opening her company, Afrogrunge, Hlazo has achieved several milestones in the fashion industry.
She showcased at the South African Fashion Week as an emerging creative in collaboration in 2018. She dressed influencer Abongwe Qobeka for Afropunk Joburg 2018, the outfit was captured by photographer Trevor Sturmaan and landed on Vogue UK.
Hlazo has also collaborated with music artist Moonchild Sanelly on an outfit featured in one of her music videos.
Her most significant achievement to date has been working with streetwear giants, Nike Women and Redbat Posse, which focus on women in the creative space.
Anita Hlazo has set her sights on reaching an international audience with Afrogrunge. She expressed her desire to showcase her brand on a global stage and has the opportunity to present it physically to the world at the Africa Fashion Week in London.
To cover the costs of the trip to London, she has embarked on a mission to raise R60 000. Hlazo is actively seeking funding opportunities, asking for donations and planning various fundraising events in the months leading up to October.
Those who wish to make a donation can visit: Afrogrunge
Compiled by Adrienne Bredeveldt
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