Earthquake tonight in Soweto!
It’s been so wonderful watching the rise to fame of John Sithole and his label “Earthquake” over the past few years. Many of you will remember helping him out right at the start with the Lotto Jeans project, others would have caught him scooping up the honours on Fashion Your Future – either way, the boy is kicking some serious touche. Get to Soweto tonight where his range will open the Joburg Fashion week as part of the young designers collection. You go Buddy!
Soweto’s position as one of the creative powerhouses of the new South Africa will be re-affirmed with the hosting of the first day of Joburg Fashion Week, which runs between the 21st and 25th August. Organised by African Fashion International, conveners of Cape Town Fashion Week and the new talent showcase MTN Durban Fashion Week, the hosting of the first day of a major international fashion week is a potent symbol of the rapid transformation of Soweto. The Soweto Collections are the first major fashion week event to be held in the area.
The event will feature designers from the area and represents some of the unique young talent that Soweto has produced. Designers showcasing spring/summer collections during the day include Mzansi Designers, Nhlanhla (also known for her singing career with Mafikizolo), John Sithole (Earthquake), Sibu Msimang Designs and Malikah. They will also be joined by David Tlale, Thabani Mavundla and Thula Sindi who have recently returned from exhibiting at Paris Fashion Week.
The event will be hosted at Walter Sisulu Square, Soweto in front of a specially invited audience of South Africa’s key fashion media, VIPs, fashion industry leaders and members of the local community. Following the event, Joburg Fashion Week will then move to Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton where designers such as Marianne Fassler, Sun Goddess, David Tlale, Spero Villioti, KlukCGdT, Hip Hop and Habits will showcase spring/summer collections amongst many other leading South African designers.
“Soweto played a key part in the birth of the new South Africa and is a potent symbol of the evolution of our country. Township culture is entirely unique and has become the driving creative force of our country. Holding the first day of the newly launched Joburg Fashion Week in Soweto is an important part of our commitment to supporting all areas of South African fashion,” said Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, Chairperson of African Fashion International.
The event is part of a broader strategy of African Fashion International to support emerging talent, particularly from township and rural communities and provide a world-class platform for their work. The Soweto Collection will be produced by expert show producer Deon Redman and is presented by Joburg Fashion Week’s principal sponsor The City of Joburg.
For further information on Joburg Fashion Week please visit:
