TZANEEN – Fashion enthusiasts in and around Limpopo gathered at the inaugural Tzaneen Fashion Show, hosted at the Mercurius Motors showroom on Saturday, December 14.

The successful event aims to establish Tzaneen as the fashion capital of the province.

The day began with a fashion masterclass facilitated by internationally acclaimed model Obakeng.

The event featured several notable speakers: Masefako Malatji, a stylist, discussed the future of fashion in Limpopo; Emmanuel Siyester provided insights into what designers seek in models; and Dorlen Makumbila from Absa talked about business support and funding.

Masefako emphasised the importance of supporting upcoming businesses by sharing and recommending their work, noting that designers can refine their craft with more clients.

Dorlen encouraged designers and models to be proud of their African origins. “Be proud of being African, don’t be obsessed with Paris or wanting to be American, because you can never be a better American than an American. The world wants you as you are and they love something which is only found in Africa, so embrace your uniqueness,” he said.

Celebrity designer Ronny Mahlakwane advised designers not to let consumers determine their value. “You should let customers asking for discounts know that you value your work and that there is a lot of work that goes into the craft.”

After the masterclass, designers showcased their collections on the runway, concluding a day dedicated to celebrating and advancing the fashion industry in Limpopo.