Share FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinWhatsappTelegramEmail 112 For many of the aspirant designers, showcasing their work will never move beyond a pipe dream and endless sketches. The Times sought advice on how to break into the industry from the people who have made it: Durban-born model Melody Zulu, make-up artist Lucoh Mhlongo, designer Thula Sindi and SA Fashion Week head Lucilla Booyzen. The 1.81m Zulu’s first SA Fashion Week was for the late Jean-Paul Botha’s Ruff Tung label, which is where she met the revered fashion show producer Jan Malan. Botha suggested Zulu move to Johannesburg. “To be honest, it was hard being a black model, and it probably always will be,” she said. “But this would be especially true if you didn’t have a support system. “You need to have an understanding of what you’re there to achieve and who you are. Do not embrace rejection because there’s a lot of that.” Mhlongo’s first SA Fashion Week was in 2011, and he also found it a tough initiation. Your quality needs to be excellent and you must be committed to creativity, he said. “Networking is vital. Let people know who you are and what you do. The door opens eventually.” More Articles You Would Love #fGSTYLE: Tips On How Presenter Serwaa Amihere Serves The Best Office Wear Looks With Her Fancy Pencil Dresses & Pretty Smile 11 Questions And Answers For Girls Interested In Locs; Get it Here Sindi, who recently returned from showing in New York, said he found things easier when he became head designer at Vlisco seven years ago. He said: “It’s like any other business. You have to do your job, create clothes that people want and have an artistic voice that people are interested in. Then sell them for enough money so you have some change left over. Make as few mistakes as possible.” To get into SA Fashion Week, designers first need to pay a registration fee of R6840 and provide details of their work. “This gives us the opportunity to see where they are on the business side of things, and how we can assist them,” Booyzen said. If they don’t supply stores yet, they’re invited to be part of the Buyers Lounge or the pop-up shop to “give them an opportunity to do research that’s necessary to build their profile and their brand”. If they supply stores or have their own, they can book a show. Source: timeslive.co.za a/w 2015 collectionsafrican fashionfashion industryfashion weekSouth Africa Share FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinWhatsappTelegramEmail Ben I think fashion in Africa is about to explode and I am excited to be a part of it. Message me anytime. More For You VIDEO: Jamaican Queen Who Washed Wode Maya’s Feet With Her Locks Gets Surprised... #fGSTYLE: Unleashing the Power of African Prints for Girls’ Night Out! Ghanaian Highlife Star Akwaboah’s Is Off The Market, See His Engagement Photos Inside! Looking For Trendy Kufis and Durags; Search No Further Senegal’s Amaja Is Here #BIKINIBAE: Motherhood Never Looked So Haute; Check Out These Jaw-Dropping Swimwear Looks By... #OOTD: Miss Universe Cameroon’23 Princesse Issie Takes Moan Yesus Amazing ‘ASSIMBA’ Dress For... The 2024 Trending Take Over, The Rich History, The Prideful Culture Of Fulani... Mozambican Designer Mabenna Unveils Her Latest Masterpiece Look Book For The “Melanin” Collection #fGBrideAndGroom: Ghanaian Doctors Dr. Adwoa and Dr. Kobbie Tie The Knot In Stunning... AI Artist Dana K. Booker Explores The Gorgeous African Beauties Of Columbia In... Leave a Comment Cancel ReplyYou must be logged in to post a comment. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.