Words Helen Jennings Photography AFI/SDR
The third annual Africa Fashion Week descended on Johannesburg’s Sandton Convention Centre last week for three days of action-packed shows. More than 30 designers took to the AFI catwalk from Thursday 20 to Saturday 22 October to present their spring/summer 2012 collections to press and the public, with a little help from the odd traditional drummer and a roll call of models including ARISE favourites Millen Magese, Ajuma Nasanyana and Sosheba Griffiths.
Notable highlights included a screening of Ozwald Boateng’s documentary film A Man’s Story, a design expo promoting the business of fashion and David Tlale’s show (pictured above) at the South African Mint Company in Pretoria. VIPs were ferried to the venue in gold Volvos and before the show began Tlale pressed a new gold coin that two adventurers will take to the Antarctic to raise awareness about climate change.
Proceedings culminated with the Africa Fashion Awards. The late-night ceremony featured sets by South African pop stars Malehloka and Zakes Bantwini, who performed while models patrolled around them in key looks from the week’s shows. Prizes went to both those who had taken part in the annual event, including Maki Oh and Boateng, as well as no less worthy absent winners, such as Jewel By Lisa and Mimi Plange, both of whom made thank you speeches on screen. The crowd then decamped to Taboo nightclub to dance what was left of the night away.
Pictured Bunmi Olaye and Francis Udom of Bunmi Koko present an award at the Africa Fashion Week Awards
The Winners
Model of the Year - Ajuma Nasanyana
Emerging Designer of the Year Africa - Maki Oh
Emerging Designer of the Year International - Mimi Plange
Fashion Communicator of the Year – iFashion (Emma Jordan)
Outstanding Contribution to Make-up Direction - Liz van der Merwe
Outstanding Contribution to Hair Direction - Johnnie Sapong
Outstanding Contribution to Fashion Styling - Jenny Andrew
Outstanding Contribution to Fashion Photography - Andrew Dosunmu
Accessories Designer of the Year - Maya Antoun
Designer of the Year International - Ozwald Boateng
Designer of the Year Africa - Jewel By Lisa
Outstanding Contribution to African Fashion - Bethann Hardison
....
For more on Africa Fashion Week and African Fashion International visit www.afisa.co.za