WITH fashion, a new year means new opportunities and trends. Without wasting any time, aspiring fashion designers have been put to task by Thapelo Mokoena.
The 27-year-old businessman, who owns Atlegang Holdings and a record company, will host 20 up-and-coming fashion designers from around the country at the first Apparel Expo at Moriting Park in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni, next month.
"The event will give a platform and exposure to up-and-coming designers because we felt designers are not getting the exposure they should," says Mokoena.
He says it has always been his dream to create a platform for designers in his neighbourhood.
"I love fashion, but I mainly focus on providing entertainment. I went to Fashion Week and I thought that they couldn't be the only designers in the country," he says.
"These days there are tons of unknown people within the fashion industry, but they have no voice, plus this kind of event has never been done before in the townships."
Mokoena says Johannesburg has prestigious fashion events, but none cater for the talent in the townships.
"Fashion Week is only for the top designers and there are a lot of people aspiring to be big, but not knowing where to seek assistance. The expo will also be a seasonal event to give enough opportunity to people."
Mokoena also aims to dispel the myth among his pals that "a fashion show is a women's thing.
Guys don't entirely understand the purpose, so I urge them to also attend".
So far, Mokoena says 10 brands have registered.
The designers will be given 15 minutes on the ramp to showcase their brands, a changing room, a tent and table for stalls at which their garments will be sold.
The first expo will take place in Tembisa, but he says there are plans to move it to other townships.
Criteria for designers? "No theme. I'm looking for trendy, young and vibrant designs to give the viewers quality."
Registration, which is open until January 31, cost designers R250. The event will be free to the public.
- monnakgotlam@sowetan.co.za
Expo for trendy, young, vibrant designs
WITH fashion, a new year means new opportunities and trends. Without wasting any time, aspiring fashion designers have been put to task by Thapelo Mokoena.
The 27-year-old businessman, who owns Atlegang Holdings and a record company, will host 20 up-and-coming fashion designers from around the country at the first Apparel Expo at Moriting Park in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni, next month.
"The event will give a platform and exposure to up-and-coming designers because we felt designers are not getting the exposure they should," says Mokoena.
He says it has always been his dream to create a platform for designers in his neighbourhood.
"I love fashion, but I mainly focus on providing entertainment. I went to Fashion Week and I thought that they couldn't be the only designers in the country," he says.
"These days there are tons of unknown people within the fashion industry, but they have no voice, plus this kind of event has never been done before in the townships."
Mokoena says Johannesburg has prestigious fashion events, but none cater for the talent in the townships.
"Fashion Week is only for the top designers and there are a lot of people aspiring to be big, but not knowing where to seek assistance. The expo will also be a seasonal event to give enough opportunity to people."
Mokoena also aims to dispel the myth among his pals that "a fashion show is a women's thing.
Guys don't entirely understand the purpose, so I urge them to also attend".
So far, Mokoena says 10 brands have registered.
The designers will be given 15 minutes on the ramp to showcase their brands, a changing room, a tent and table for stalls at which their garments will be sold.
The first expo will take place in Tembisa, but he says there are plans to move it to other townships.
Criteria for designers? "No theme. I'm looking for trendy, young and vibrant designs to give the viewers quality."
Registration, which is open until January 31, cost designers R250. The event will be free to the public.
- monnakgotlam@sowetan.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos