We take a look at some of the Sunglass Hut’s New Talent Search Semi-Finalists

As we draw closer to the end of Fashion month and the end of South African Fashion Week (SAFW). We reflect on the new talent search designers who debuted their Autumn/Winter 2019 collections. The talent search was founded in 1998 and was created to upgrade the business and skills of new designers and to showcase their designs at SAFW.  Meet the designers and their collections.

Artclub&Friends

Robyn Keyser wants her brand to be well-known and instrumental in electrifying the textile industry in South Africa. “The pride I have for my brand is centered on what my designs represent and how they affect people. Promoting sustainable fashion should hold a primary position in the forefront of your design philosophy,” said the entrepreneur. Her brand is a platform to co-create and collaborate with artists of different mediums to create artwear. The opulence of the wide-brimmed hats and the scarves draped underneath them, paired with a pocketed waistcoat and strappy details give a tomboy feel to the collection.

Birth

Fashion has always been a part of Pravisha Naidoo’s life. She was introduced to it by her mother who is a seamstress. Her collection is a contemporary take on vintage basque coats paired with cropped pants and coat-style dresses. She complements the softness of the pastel colours, loafers and the movement of the fabric with the use of berets and darker colours. Her collection is captured by her brand’s mantra which is ‘Simply part of life’. The overall feel and look of the collection is simple but chic.

Cindy Mfabe

Cindy Mfabe has showcased her collection at Lagos Fashion Week. She defines it as contemporary, androgynous ready-to-wear. The LISOF graduate’s collection is well-finished, this can be seen  through the fabrics used and how they move. The bishop sleeves and ruffles also contribute to the movement of the garments and the black undertones balance the asymmetrical use of pastel colours.

Fikile Zamagcino Sokhulu

Fikile launched her brand in 2018 after completing her studies. She has since participated in the Durban University of Technology’s Rise of the OXX. At the core of her values is women empowerment which is translated beautifully in her medieval inspired collection. It is a well-tailored celebration of femininity. Contrasting black and white in soft ruffles, bell sleeves and wide-legged pants.

Outerwear

Design duo Ngcebo Mnyandu and Siyabonga Ntini founded the womenswear brand to celebrate feminine bodies in spaces that are marginalising towards them. They both studied Fashion and Textiles at the Durban University of Technology. Their collection is a youthful and refreshing take on femininity using asymmetry and proportion. The clash between the stripe details on the collar and the knee-high socks make for edgy streetwear.

The winner of the talent search wins R30 000 towards developing their SS19 collection in collaboration with the Fashion Agent and mentor support plus representation by the Fashion Agent for a year. They will also be part of the talent search in 2019 and will be granted access at the SAFW trade event AW19 and an opportunity to engage with fashion buyers and have market research conducted for their brands. Lastly, they will have a free stand at the SAFW Designer pop-up shop.