Qaqamba Magadla
Ndodana said the Eastern Cape Development Corporation had recently opened a craft shop with a fashion section which accepted clothing on consignment, where it was hoped more of the work of WSU’s design students, both current and former, will feature.
On Sunday, final-year fashion design student Bulelani Masango walked away with top honours as this year’s overall winner. He received an overlocker machine and a fabric voucher from Jacksons in Nahoon.
His winning collection “Lighten up the Future” is a wedding range combining African and Western themes.
“I realised that we, as youth, tend to rush into things – we want to finish school, get married and own big houses and cars. These are things we can do at a later stage.
“But that’s where I drew my inspiration from. Marriage and weddings have become such a big thing now,” said Masango. He said although he wished to continue studying after graduating, because of financial constraints he had to make way for his younger siblings.
The designer said he was going to use the machine he had won to start up his own small business.
In second place, winning for Best Fabric Combination was Ntokozo Nomntu with his collection “Gentle Breeze”.
The designer said he only completed his collection three days before the fashion show. After lots of hard work and sleepless nights, just seeing his collection complete was reward enough.
Nomntu also received a sewing machine and stationery voucher from City Stationers.
“I am so happy. I really did not expect to win at all.
“Just being part of the fashion show and seeing my work was rewarding for me,” he said.
Esihle Mbobo won third place for her bright, African print-inspired designs.
Mbobo said she was inspired by the beauty of the African continent and that is how her collection “Chicky Chick” came about.
The designer also received a sewing machine, as well as a sewing kit box collection.
The designers said this final year was a difficult year as they were not only faced with the pressure of completing their studies but with the additional challenges of the #FeesMustFall campaign, where the university had to shut down and they were not able to work.
Because fashion design was so practical they lost a lot of work time and were faced with the pressure of completing their curriculum on time.
They were, however, happy to have been part of the fashion show and said they were looking forward to life after varsity in the fashion industry. —