FWB COMES TO TOWN
Grand Palm will host the fashion extravaganza , Fashion without Borders ( FwB) Africa this October.
The eighth edition of the Fashion Without Borders Africa extravaganza is pencilled to take place this October. The event, which showcases the beauty of the fashion industry, is slated for October 13th- 15th at the Grand Palm Hotel and Casino. Annually, the Fashion Without Borders franchise has three events taking place in different countries, namely South Africa ( March), and DR Congo ( August), with the last event coming to Botswana.
According to event organiser and co- organiser at Efigy Productions, Tebo Bakwena- Kabisoso, the fashion, textile, and clothing industry have an enormous potential to transform lives, particularly for women and youth. She explains that they are extending to MOZAMBIQUE and ZAMBIA under the capable expertise of Team Efigy Productions.
She further says that despite the years of disruption, due to the Covid- 19, the fashion industry is beginning to find its feet again. “It was during this pandemic that we saw technology and social media used on a massive scale to keep people safe, productive, and connected while physically apart,” she highlights.
She called on young and upcoming fashion designers to continue taking advantage of this digital transformation, to initiate a series of initiatives and improve their speed to market and implement sustainable innovation in their core product design, manufacturing, and supply chain processes. Meanwhile, she explains that they continue to create opportunities for underdeveloped fashion scenes, in a bid to give them access to the wider market in the African continent. For this year, Fashion Without Borders Africa has already hosted a blend of new talent, emerging and established names,
with a talent list that includes Tanzatia by Althea Andrews ( RSA), Nivaldo Thierry by Nivaldo Thierry ( MOZ), Black Excellence by Refilwe Elliot ( BW), Kapari Flava by Abby John ( BW), Taris Designs BY Obitaris ( NIGERIA), Ser Consaldo by Gomotsegang Dipuo ( BW), Bantu Gold by Lukundo Simpemba ( BW), Gazed Atelier BY Grace King ( RSA), Thando Piliso BY Thando Piliso ( RSA), Jrgletph by Fydoh Moloi ( BW), Dress MeToo BY Tshegofatso Sepotokele ( BW), Saint Calypso ( NIGERIA), ngüo by Tumie Mohoasa ( BW), Les Wears XClusives BY Lesley Mmokele ( BW), Caro Bee Fashions BY Olebile Caro Bokole ( BW) and Lenita Fashions BY Lesego Mmolawa ( BW)
Bakwena- Kabisoso further notes that what inspired the idea of Fashion Without Borders Africa was the fact that in different spheres, across the continent, fashion had become more of the entertainment as opposed to a business.
“That is what Fashion Without Borders Africa intends to change and can only do this through partnerships, and conversations that will build solid foundations for sustainability in the long run,” she notes.
By forming partnerships on projects, businesses in the fashion and textile industries can reach their full potential, save money, and create something innovative, she says. This year Fashion Without Borders Africa collaborated with Yarona Fm, Avon SA, Grooming Partner - BLM Naturals, MrPrice Group, The Voice Newspaper, LeAfrika , Legends Barber, Primeworx, walkerfella, The Grand Palm Hotel and Resort and Ministry Youth, Gender, Sports and Culture. “Such partnerships contribute towards the multi- billion- dollar industry; by creating jobs for designers, models, beauticians, make- up artists, producers, textile designers, manufacturers, event organisers, and more,” she explains.
Furthermore, Fashion Without Borders Africa is more than just a fashion show, but also a lifestyle event that includes pop- up stalls, industryrelated workshops, and opportunities that allow people to interact with both local and SADC region designers, says Bakwena- Kabisoso.
The partnership selections take advantage of opportunities available for the fashion, textile, and clothing industry which have an enormous potential to transform lives, particularly for women and young people powered by Mr Price Group Durban RSA who will be selecting 3 Upcoming Designers to join them for a fully funded Internship Training Programme in Durban RSA. Bakwena- Kabisoso says Under the theme ‘ Fashion Frontiers’, their aim is to highlight and shine light on causes that matter. They have also teamed up with AVON RSA on the campaign # watchmenow and The Avon breast cancer crusade in an effort to teach young women and men in the industry to unite and attack breast cancer.