Afropunk: wild 2019 start
EVENT SHOWCASED WHAT IS SPECIAL AND HOMEGROWN
Uniqueness and cohesiveness danced side by side at explorative festival.
The second ever Afropunk Johannesburg ringed in, or is that rained in, 2019 in the wettest, wildest start to the year. Globally, Afropunk has become an important event that celebrates black excellence in art, music and creativity – and the first African edition of the festival seems to be finding its feet.
The second festival again saw revellers making a decidedly African stamp on the festival with looks that incorporate cultural and geographical identity.
“I think that’s why events like these are important, they give you an opportunity to really explore a cohesive look, without fear of being ostracised, which you will find in safe fashion spaces like fashion week,” says Zandile Bees, who like many woman decided not to cover her torso.
Even singer Nomisupasta bared all on stage during the second day of the festival during a heavy rainstorm.
This boundless freedom, coupled with the atmosphere at Constitution Hill seems to be an intoxicating combination that is making the South African leg of the festival a global player.
This week Trevor Stuurman’s pictures from the festival appeared on British Vogue’s website.
Vogue highlighted jewellery, hair and the avant-garde looks Stuurman submitted.
The avant-garde appeal is a cornerstone of the festival that is almost similar to the growth of Club Kid culture in the late 80s and early 90s in New York where fashion was used to create bizarre and outlandish looks that were both jarring and admired. This subculture built careers for people like Michael Alig, James St. James and, probably most famously, RuPaul Charles who has gone on to find mainstream success, and is currently at the helm of an entertainment empire
thanks to his reality TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race.
In South Africa women like Moonchild Sanelly have been able to blend art and her looks to build an interesting career that includes music and fashion, promoting much of it herself through social media. But to create, you need money.
At Afropunk there is a unique way that corporate involvement plays out.
Much like the Oppikoppi, brands enter the festival arena with unique experiences rather than shove-it-down-your-throat marketing.
This year, for a second time, Martell Cognac offered various unique experiences with its House of Martell Experience – branded H.O.M.E.
H.O.M.E functioned as a multi-level playground for adults, which included an exclusive elevated deck for tastings, a playroom with authentic gaming with arcade games as well as bespoke cocktails for the event.
This year Martell H.O.M.E offered a three-course, sit-down food-and-Martell pairing dinner which was hosted by Martell brand Ambassador, Hussain Van Roos. Van Roos is so much more than an excellent example of social entrepreneurship.