PATTERN WEEK // 21 STEPS TO RETAIL PROGRAMME

Behind every 'well-polished' garment and every high standing fashion label is an old-school well constructed pattern block. Something even the new language of fashion still speaks well into. Fashion retailers and independent renowned designers alike, still acknowledge the importance of an excellent skills in pattern making towards producing a range of good clothing.

This week our developing designers are tackling the crucial foundations at a pattern making 5 day class with one of our industry experts. These upcoming names are enhancing their knowledge in creating cleaner, balanced and advance patterns while offsetting their pure vision with new designs. There's a quietly intriguing aspect to these classes and we cannot wait to see their progress take center stage on ramps.

WEEK 2 // 21 STEPS TO RETAIL

AT THE HEART OF CREATION //

We are moving. Moving fast and in the right direction. The designers came together at the Kznfc offices yesterday to put their creative minds to work. With a collection of mood boards and Story boards that that inspire a great deal. Prints, Patterns and Embellishments that give and play a worthy role in the detail of things, our offices are a gleaming creative house.  

We understand that a huge part of what defines a good province, city or neighborhood is the businesses that line the high streets and the shops that lure visitors to the area whilst creating a bustling and vibrant atmosphere. We then thought, what better way to introduce that than through young, inspired fashion entrepreneurs who want to grow sustainable businesses and challenge the creative industry. 

Later on we take time follow 2 designers a little bit closely to understand their journey with the KZN Fashion Council's running programme. 

“the world’s oldest living teenager”

She continues on the path of the forever young, the vibrant and all sorts of unpredictable. Many would agree that Iris Apfel is the world's oldest living teenager with a fashion sense that can still teach many of us a thing or three about living in style and embracing the beauty of colour.

And because Fashion is an 'old dog that's keeps playing new tricks', and an energized global branch challenging the average way of doing things, how better can we remind you of exploration than through such an icon, during the month of September. Nurtured by the cultural relevancy of things like music, film, art and design. Coming across this ever-expanding hive of creativity that represents the fashion world today, cannot leave your rocks of inspiration UN-turned.

21 STEPS TO RETAIL // Kznfc and the Designers

“21 STEPS TO RETAIL PROGRAMME WITH OUR SELECTED DESIGNERS ”

THE START OF THE 21 STEPS IS HERE

 Pictures by Sphiwe
  

This is a 3 month training programme where the growing designers are offered an opportunity to bridge the gap between their design skills and sound business knowledge. We aim to develop and mentor our designers to a level where they can manage sustainable businesses.

 
11 designers have been selected to take part in the 21 steps to retail capacity building programme - eTHEKWINI.

Eulender Cele - Eulander Cele brand
Lebakeng Mosala - De'Salis
Musawenkosi Sebeko - Afro Amanno
Nolanga Lalla - Nolanga Designs 
Portia Buckley - Kedem Designs 
Rachel Molefe - Tambourine
Slindile Sibisi - GoodFriday
Sindisiwe Shozi - Classy Cruz Cotton
Sthandiwe Hlongwane - Brightshadow
Terrilyn Arlene Row - Front Row Design
Zandile Bulose - ZandyB Designs

Africa Fashion Week in London (Part 1 VIDEO)

With a range of energetic colours, flair and striking patterns our South African designers earned a good reputation at 'Africa fashion week in London' show. The KZN Fashion Council partnered with AFWL to showcase a celebration of African design vision on the runway in London.

Here is a snap shot of a few of the South African designers who got a chance to tell us more about their fashion and design businesses back here in South Africa.

(Well done)

AFRICAN FASHION WEEK LONDON & KZNFC 2015

“the kzn fashion council harnesses local talent on an international level with the afwl ”

THE SA COLLECTIVE AT THE AFWL RAMP

Some Pictures by Monika Schaible 

THE HEART and talent OF our local designers took london and other african participants by storm at the highly anticipated afwl 2015.

Perhaps the entire point of being a designer is to create clothing that will speak to people in unique ways. Perhaps it's waking up to doing the very thing you love and letting it speak to the masses in ways unknown to you? This we cannot really put a finger on for every individual, but it is evident that sharing this beauty that is fashion proves to bring something special and worth celebrating to the lives of many. Fashion is in any way the one form of art that we spend the rest of our lives in. So how can it not play a huge role in a persons life?

The Fashion Council of KZN brought together 20 designers from South Africa along with the AFWL to show case their work in London on the 7th - 9th of August this year. Here are some of the designs they put to show.