Cape Town is gearing up for a major fashion event as top African designers prepare to showcase their Spring/Summer 2024 collections at the highly anticipated Cape Town Fashion Week: The Edit, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The event, presented by Africa Fashion International (AFI), will take place on 29 and 30 November 2024 at the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse. This year’s fashion week promises a stellar lineup featuring renowned designers from South Africa and across the African continent.
The event will spotlight both emerging and established designers, including Alia Baré (Niger/Senegal), Hélène Daba of Sisters of Afrika (Senegal), Laurence Chauvin-Buthaud of LaurenceAirline (Côte d’Ivoire), Papy Kaluw of Urban Zulu (Democratic Republic of Congo), and Safiétou Seck of Sarayaa (Senegal). South African talent will also be front and center with designers such as Londeka Buthelezi-Ndaba of Malondié, Bathini Kowane of Bathini Designs, Sello Medupe of Scalo, Keletso Moraba of K.Moraba & Collective, Sandi Mazibuko of FabroSanz, and Julia Buchanan of JULIA.
A highlight of this year’s event will be the return of two iconic South African designers: Craig Jacobs of Fundudzi, who is making his comeback after a 14-year hiatus, and Craig Port, who will be returning to the runway after last showcasing in 2018. Their collections will close the event, offering a mix of nostalgia and modern design.
Gavin Rajah, the celebrated Cape Town-based designer known for his luxurious handcrafted garments, will serve as the event’s creative director, ensuring a cohesive and glamorous experience. Additionally, AFI’s in-house brand, AFI Privé, will unveil its highly anticipated Spring/Summer 2024/25 collection.
The event will also feature the debut collections of rising stars, including the finalists of the AFI Fastrack Prize 2023, offering a platform for the next generation of African fashion talent.
Featured Designers at Cape Town Fashion Week:
- Alia Baré (Niger/Senegal): A former banker turned designer, Alia Baré launched her brand in Dakar in 2015. Known for her figure-hugging silhouettes and attention to detail, her women’s wear collection celebrates the female form through luxurious fabrics.
- Bathini Designs’ Bathini Kowane (South Africa): A self-taught designer who started her business in 2015, Kowane’s brand focuses on creating statement pieces that offer comfort and style. This will be her debut at Cape Town Fashion Week.
- Craig Jacobs (South Africa): The founder of Fundudzi, Jacobs’ brand embodies the spirit of Africa through sustainable, ethically crafted garments that tell powerful stories. His designs celebrate African artisanship and culture.
- Craig Port (South Africa): Known for his resort wear collections, Port combines coastal living with modern glamour. His laid-back yet sophisticated designs have made him a favorite in the fashion world.
- Gavin Rajah (South Africa): A global name in luxury fashion, Rajah’s meticulously crafted designs are known for their elegance. He is also expanding his brand into homeware and event concepts.
- Sandi Mazibuko of FabroSanz (South Africa): FabroSanz is a female-led fashion business founded by Mazibuko, a self-made designer who has built her brand from the ground up. This year marks the debut of her full-fledged fashion house.
- Julia Buchanan (South Africa): The founder of JULIA, a swimwear brand that has since expanded into a full lifestyle label, Buchanan is known for her collaborations with local and international brands.
- Keletso Moraba (South Africa): The designer behind K.Moraba & Collective, Moraba is celebrated for her bold, feminine designs that have attracted attention from South African celebrities and influencers.
- Laurence Chauvin-Buthaud (Côte d’Ivoire): Founder of LaurenceAirline, Chauvin-Buthaud’s brand blends West African culture with contemporary fashion, offering a global perspective on nomadic style.
- Londeka Buthelezi-Ndaba (South Africa): The founder of Malondié, Buthelezi-Ndaba’s award-winning label pushes the boundaries of South African fashion, offering sophisticated and authentic collections.
- Safiétou Seck (Senegal): Seck’s brand SARAYAA combines African and Western cultural influences to create elegant and unique designs for the modern woman.
- Scalo by Sello Medupe (South Africa): Medupe’s brand is known for its modern sophistication and bold use of color, bringing innovative and flattering designs to the South African fashion scene.
- Sisters of Afrika’s Hélène Daba Diouf (Senegal): A brand focused on promoting Senegalese craftsmanship, Sisters of Afrika aims to empower its artisans while creating unique, ready-to-wear garments.
- Urban Zulu’s Papy Kaluw (Democratic Republic of Congo): A self-taught designer, Kaluw’s brand celebrates spirituality and unity, creating both ready-to-wear and bespoke garments that speak to the heart of African culture.
Cape Town Fashion Week 2024 will be a dazzling celebration of African fashion, highlighting the continent’s diverse and dynamic design scene while offering a platform for its brightest talents to shine. The event promises to be a game-changer for the African fashion industry, drawing global attention to the creativity, innovation, and craftsmanship of its designers.
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