WATCH: Alberton welcomes Ekasi Fashion Week as township taxi ranks become fashion runaways
Founded in 2017 by Steven Monoki, Ekasi Fashion Week is using taxi ranks across South Africa, including Alberton, to create opportunities for township designers, models and creatives while changing perceptions around public spaces.
Township runways are taking centre stage as Ekasi Fashion Week, an initiative founded to create opportunities for emerging creatives while transforming public spaces into platforms for fashion and community development, continues to grow.
Founded in 2017 by Steven Monoki, Ekasi Fashion Week was established to give township designers a space to express themselves, network and gain access to the fashion industry.
“I started Ekasi Fashion Week as an initiative to give a platform to emerging fashion designers from the township to express, network and gain access to the market,” said Monoki.
The initiative, whose name means ‘township success’, has become known for hosting fashion shows in taxi ranks, including shows in areas such as Duduza, Soweto, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and Albertsdal in Alberton.
Fashion with a purpose
Monoki said hosting fashion events in taxi ranks was a deliberate decision aimed at changing the stigma often associated with those spaces.
“I choose to host at the taxi rank to change the stigma of violence within taxi ranks. Now Duduza Rank is known for peace and harmony where people can sit down and watch a fashion runway,” he explained.
@albertonrecord Founded in 2017 by Steven Monoki, Ekasi Fashion Week is using taxi ranks across South Africa, including Alberton, to create opportunities for township designers, models and creatives while changing perceptions around public spaces. Full story on albertonrecord.co.za
He said taking fashion into township spaces also makes the industry more accessible to ordinary residents who may never have attended a traditional runway event.
“Fashion runway is still foreign to some people. We host it in the township where it’s accessible to the public,” he said.
According to Monoki, commuters and taxi drivers have embraced the concept positively over the years, with some even participating in the runway shows themselves.
“Some of the taxi drivers have taken part in the fashion show to become runway models. Positive vibes only,” he said.
Creating opportunities for township talent
While the shows attract attention for their unique venues, the initiative also focuses on developing local talent.
Ekasi Fashion Week hosts monthly workshops and masterclasses to help models, photographers and designers grow within the industry.
“We train and develop young models and designers through our monthly workshops and masterclasses for creatives,” said Monoki.
The platform has already helped several creatives build successful careers. Some designers now own stores, while others have showcased internationally.
“We’ve taken two designers to Seychelles Fashion Week to showcase their work. Models are getting TV work and commercials,” he said.
One of Monoki’s proudest moments came when Ekasi Fashion Week was invited to Virginia, United States, to represent African fashion.
Challenges and growth
Despite its success, the initiative faced many challenges in its early years.
Monoki said financial struggles and resistance from some taxi industry stakeholders made the journey difficult.
“At first, taxi bosses were against the initiative coming to the taxi rank. They said it was going to cost them business. Some threatened to shut down the show, but we were able to find common ground to achieve the mission,” he explained.
He also highlighted the challenges township designers currently face, particularly in the face of competition from international fast-fashion retailers.
“Online shops like Temu and Shein have disturbed the economy,” said Monoki.
Monoki believes township culture continues to shape South African fashion and says creatives from local communities deserve more recognition and support.
“Some of the best designers in the country come from the township,” he said.
Looking to the future
Looking ahead, Ekasi Fashion Week hopes to expand across all townships in South Africa, open stores for township designers and continue creating opportunities for young creatives.
@albertonrecord Founded in 2017 by Steven Monoki, Ekasi Fashion Week is using taxi ranks across South Africa, including Alberton, to create opportunities for township designers, models and creatives while changing perceptions around public spaces. Full story on albertonrecord.co.za
“We created our own way to make runway fun,” Monoki added.
Since its establishment, Ekasi Fashion Week has impacted more than 450 models and 180 designers across South Africa.
