Malawian designers to showcase in South Africa: Tshwane Fashion Festival
Three local designers have been confirmed to represent Malawi at the Tshwane Fashion Festival scheduled for 15-16 April at Jahdawn 012 in Pretoria, South Africa.
The fashion festival will showcase over 15 designers including Vohni Couture, Nokwakha Qobo who will also be showcasing in Ghana at the Mercedes Benz Africa Fashion Festival this coming May.
Malawi’s Tawire Kumsinda of Tamza Designs, Christie Banda of Designs by Christie, Nellie George of Nells Secret Possessions and Christopher Ngalu of Creative Base Designs will go toe to toe with international designers at the event.
“The capital city of South Africa Tshwane/Pretoria will be filled with fashionistas from all parts of South Africa to celebrate fashion,” explained Bongani Tambo, one of the event managers.
Said Tambo: “The most awaited fashion festival to be held at one of the most historical venue called Jahdawn 012 in the center of the city has also attracted not only local designers but also international from other parts of Africa such as Malawi, Tanzania, Ghana and others”.
Tambo said his team has been working hard to come up with not just a wow event but making sure that the designers must sell themselves.
He explained: “We just don’t want the designers to showcase and then it ends there, we have invited fashion buyers and other fashion related companies to come and support the event, which I believe could be potential investors for the designers.”
Tambo stressed that Tshwane Fashion Festival will not only give a chance to the designers to showcase but also a selection will be made, where three designers and three models will stand a chance to showcase in Ghana, Milan and other countries across Africa.
The event will be covered by South African and international media houses including a live coverage on SABC 2 and Africa Magic.
Christie Banda, who had her first showcase at the 2015 Mzuzu Fashion Week, said she was excited about having her second exhibition outside Malawi.
“It’s a huge step for me and very exciting at the same time considering that I’m new in this industry with my first show being the Mzuzu Fashion Week last year.
“I’m looking forward to showcasing in Pretoria and this is an event where we will not only market ourselves but Malawi our country,” explained the youthful designer.
Last year, Nellie George represented Malawi at RVK Fashion Week which was also organized by the same fashion event organizers.
George has worked with FAME, participated in Mr and Mrs CFC with Cathy Kamthunzi Dickson in 2010 and also participated in other fashion shows in South Africa with Kamthunzi, who had involved her to go and participate with as fashion designers.
Since then she only participated at the John Dumelo and Lilly Alfonso fashion show that took place at BICC in June last year where she was discovered by RVK.
Meanwhile, casting is underway for aspiring models willing to participate at this year’s event.
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