Mpumalanga Fashion Week extravaganza a roaring success
The fourth Mpumalanga Fashion Week extravaganza proved that we can take on the very best of European, Asian and American haute couture.
Mpumalanga Fashion Week’s (MFW) extravaganza on Saturday, November 26 showcased the dazzling and extraordinary creative talent in this province. The evening spotlighted 20 of Mpumalanga’s preeminent and up-and-coming fashion designers in a jubilant celebration of African haute couture at its very finest.
Boutique owners, fashion lovers and buyers flew in from around South Africa especially for the glamorous event and the assembled audience of fashionistas applauded every single model and their garments as they strode down the catwalk.
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Each creation was an inspiring work of art and all were exquisitely modelled. The designs and materials used were confident and bold, suave, sexy, glamorous, vibrantly colorful and totally unique.
Most delightfully, the evening was stolen by the child models wearing garments from Mary’s Maniquen boutique. Strutting the catwalk like real pros and wearing every mother’s dream clothing for her child, the kids exhibited both ready-to-wear and ultra-sophisticated attire.
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There was also good news for the gents who showed off that male fashion is no longer drab and uniform, but sassy, smart and full of African colour.
MFW’s founder and creator, Nathi Bless Shongwe, said, “This year we celebrated the survival of the fashion industry after the devastating years of the Covid-19 pandemic. As Mpumalanga designers, we have showed our resilience. Tonight, we commemorate our industry’s heroes and heroines who passed away during the sad times of the pandemic.”
Shongwe said, “My main objective as a curator of the event is to market and showcase the beautiful work done by our designers and to assist them in growing their business. MFW serves as an incubator for the fashion designers of the province.”
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MC Billy Brown, dressed to the nines in black taffeta and satin, brought the house down with his vivacious presentation of notable designers like Adam-The-Brand from Swaziland and Nokunceda Bujela, an award-winning businesswoman from Swaziland.
The event was sponsored by BMW Eastview Mbombela, Mphatho Nyoni Event Management, Avroy Shlain, MUD studio Ilanga, Ramps-to Runway, Jele Farm sounds, Ngobe Media, GigaGuru and Dei Gratia.
“Our mission is to grow the market for Mpumalanga designers. We are in negotiations with bigger fashion shows which have a bigger market and can offer better exposure for our local designers,” said Shongwe.
The fourth MFW extravaganza certainly proved that Mpumalanga can take on the very best of European, Asian and American haute couture.
