The City of Ekurhuleni hosted the Language of Fashion event at the Dumisani Masilela Theatre, placing a spotlight on the intersection of language and fashion.

According to the event’s founder and director, Hilton Sebulela, the initiative aimed to highlight the importance of both language and fashion, and how they collectively shape and influence culture and society.

The event featured three speakers representing the background of television (Dichaba Phalatse -SABC), fashion (Serge Kabisoso, founder and director of Fashion Without Borders Africa), and cultural preservation, including a representative from the SA Hip Hop Museum (Osmic Menoe).

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He added that their contributions helped shape discussions around how societies are formed through culture, how culture is preserved, and how it is portrayed through platforms such as television.

Key themes that emerged included the importance of investment and collaboration in growing the creative industry.

Sebulela emphasised the value of partnerships, not only with sponsors and vendors, but also with designers and artists who showcased their work at the event.

“We have a number of fashion houses within the city that are doing well, but the industry needs more investment from both government and the private sector. Through collaboration, we can create an ecosystem that supports fashion, music, performance, and the broader creative arts,” said Sebulela.

He added that the long-term vision is to expand the event nationally, taking it to different provinces to encourage knowledge sharing and collaboration across the country.

Despite being an inaugural launch, Sebulela expressed satisfaction with the turnout, particularly the strong presence of young people.

He noted that many attendees came on short notice to showcase their work and engage with the speakers.

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One of the creatives who benefited from the event was Elizabeth Sekgobela of Lizzie’s Expanse from Thembisa, alongside Michelle Markovic from Primrose.

Both showcased their beadwork at the event.

Elizabeth shared that she started her brand in 2024 as a student and a mother seeking an additional source of income. Over time, it evolved into a fully-fledged business, prompting her to pursue formal training in beadwork.

“I also studied financial management, which has helped me better understand and manage my business finances,” she said.

She added that she later discovered her grandmother is also a skilled beadworker, opening opportunities for collaboration and the sharing of skills and knowledge.

Reflecting on the event, Elizabeth said it created a valuable platform for creatives to connect, collaborate, and grow their work.