Designers cut it with the best
EIGHT aspiring fashion designers from Buffalo City Metro get their golden chance to learn from top designer Thula Sindi today at his Johannesburg studio.
The eight – Zoe Voyi, Unathi Kweyi, Thando Piliso, Nozibele Nyembe, Athenkosi Mgudlwa, Sandisiwe Dani, Phindile Makupula and Wendy Matiwane – were all chosen this week by well-known designer David Tlale, who was in East London for a workshop.
The workshop, which saw Tlale sharing the ins and outs of the industry, formed part of the inaugural Buyel’ekhaya fashion development programme which will run under the auspices of the annual Buyel’ekhaya Pan African Festival at Buffalo Park Cricket Stadium next month.
From today, they will get an opportunity to be mentored by Sindi.
Speaking to the Saturday Dispatch this week, the eight were ecstatic about spending 10 days under Sindi’s leadership.
The group said the workshop with Tlale was an eye-opener.
“It is rare for local designers to get such information from a big designer like David.
“The session was informative and I am glad I attended,” said Walter Sisulu University fashion graduate Mgudlwa.
Dani echoed Mgudlwa’s sentiments, saying Tlale was an inspiration to young designers.
“He is living the dream and it was great hearing him tell us about when he started off.
“I am excited to be going to Johannesburg and I’m ready to learn,” Dani said.
Makupula said Tlale’s workshop was “motivating”.
“He shared a lot of things that I didn’t know about the industry and now I am motivated to do more and change the industry in East London,” she said.
“I was there to learn as much as I could and it didn’t cross my mind I would be selected after the interviews,” she said.
The eight will also make garments that will be showcased at the Buyel’ekhaya Fashion Show on December 16 at the Orient Theatre. Tlale and Sindi will also be exhibiting their work.
The Buyel’ekhaya music festival will be held on December 18 and the lineup includes Msaki, Black Coffee, Babes Wodumo, Dorothy Masuka, Ringo Madlingozi, Siphokazi, Jonas Gwangwa and Mobi Dixon. — poliswap @dispatch.co.za