Safw past, present, future
LOOK who’s 21.
South African Fashion Week (SAFW) begins on Tuesday and to mark 21 years of collections will revisit the past, embrace the present and look to the future.
To celebrate its official coming of age, SAFW Autumn/winter 2019 will include a retrospective exhibition of designer garments dating back to 1997, when SAFW was launched, as well as the publication of a limited-edition book capturing this fashion evolution.
The five-day showcase of menswear and womenswear in Sandton will feature 56 designers, whose latest collections are under wraps, in 16 scheduled shows as well as exhibitions by 50 designers.
However, one of the biggest names in design, Gert-johan Coetzee, chatted to us about his upcoming collection as well as his new venture into high-end menswear.
He will be showing his new bespoke slimline two- and three-piece suits for men with embellished details. As well as a new range of underwear and resort wear for men, the designer has hinted he will also be adding some home wear to his portfolio.
Coetzee’s AW19 collection builds on his last collection with elements of pop culture iconography and inspiration from his travels.
Fashion lovers can look forward to edgy yet wearable ready-to-wear clothes and his trademark fairy-tale princess show-stopping gowns, he said.
Red-carpet favourite Ryan Keys of Keys Fashion
With an eye for amplifying beauty, and a love for sourcing delicate fabrics and embroideries from all over the world, pieces are distinctly unique and timelessly elegant. Keys has dressed a host of ocal and international celebrities, including Khanyi Mbau and Shanina Shaik.
Johannesburg-based designer Palesa Mokubung for Mantsho The creative mind behind the Mantsho clothing label always impresses with her African inspired collections paired with stand-out detailing and styling. Mokubung zooms in on African cultures and elements, and transforms them into modern and edgy designs.
Rubicon
Rubicon has participated in South African Fashion Week for the past 10 years and recently showcased at Design Indaba. Internationally, the brand has showcased successfully in Nigeria, the UK, Ireland, Switzerland, China, Paris and Mozambique. With a worldly-inspired mindset, Rubicon embodies effortless style, flattering and sophisticated forms, tailored craftsmanship and timeless design. South African celebrities such as Basetsana Khumalo and Loot Love regularly wear her garments.
Ephymol
Known for bold, masculine tailoring and an approach to timeless lines, Ephraim Molingoana has showcased collections in China, including Shanghai Fashion Week in 2013, receiving great reviews. Last year, he represented the country at the UK Wool Conference. He boasts several GQ Best Dressed awards, magazine features and covers and a string of A-list South African celebrities as clients. The most recent collaboration the brand enjoyed was with the Grammy Award-winning Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Inga Atelier
When it comes to luxury leather goods, Inga Atelier’s founder and creative director, Inga Gubeka, has become known for his ability to fashionably fuse technology with leather accessories. The designer has made a name for himself in the design industry, locally and abroad. These merits include being named in Forbes (US) Top 5 accessories designers in Africa, Forbes Africa 30 under 30 2016, Mail & Guardian’s top 200 young South Africans 2015, World Design’s capital’s top 10 designers in South Africa, and GQ game-changers 2016. His brand presents collections that include backpacks, clutches, totes and laptop bags, all locally manufactured.
● SAFW is on from October 23-27 at the Sandton City Rooftop, in Sandton. For a full schedule visit www.safashionweek.co.za