eKasi Fashion Week turns Duduza Rank into a stage for young township creatives
Young designers, models and entrepreneurs showcased their talents at Duduza Rank as eKasi Fashion Week continued its mission to empower and promote township creatives.
Kwa-Thema – eKasi Fashion Week hosted a Youth Month Fashion Show at Duduza Rank on June 16.
The initiative was founded by Steven Monoki (30) from Kwa-Thema in 2017.
Monoki started this initiative to give emerging designers, models, and creative entrepreneurs a platform to express, network, and shine.
“We took a two-year gap because of Covid.
“One of our greatest milestones is that last year we sent two designers to represent eKasi Fashion Week at Seychelles Fashion Week,” he explained.
Monoki stated that the Youth Fashion Show is hosted annually on June 16 to celebrate young people.
“It is the only time the youth is celebrated in the country and we are a youth-based fashion movement,” he said.
He cited the show’s main purpose as celebrating and promoting township talent.
Monoki elaborated that the rank was the only place that accommodated them when they had no place to host rehearsals for young models.
“So my responsibility is to change the stigma around taxi ranks across South Africa because they are known for violence and killings,” he added.
Through Monoki’s initiative, the community can experience talent firsthand and support young designers and entrepreneurs.
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Young people get to participate and showcase their skills and talents, whether in fashion design, modelling, beauty, or photography.
The initiative invites designers across the country to showcase their work.
“With models, we host castings and provide training through our modelling academy, Mohato Africa.
“Models receive vouchers through our sponsors and partners like Taxi News and Sebenza Wifi.
“They sponsored 12 vouchers worth R1 500 each. Judges are selected by sponsors in kind. They choose key role players within the fashion and modelling industry,” he stated.
“Young entrepreneurs are given a platform to promote and sell their products.”
Monoki cited financial limitations as their main challenge. The show is self-funded.
He emphasised that there is a great need for sponsors to partner with them to produce large-scale shows and create employment.
“Our future plans are to travel to all townships in the country and unearth new talent,” he added.
For enquiries, contact Monoki on 074 830 5742.
