Presented by Woolworths in partnership with the Cape Town Fashion Council.
For the first time in South African history, the AFI Cape Town Fashion Week had the sponsorship of the country’s major retailer, Woolworths. The collections featured in this year’s “Emerging Show” support and promote the work of South African designers and each Guest Designer will have in-store mini collections retailing at Woolworths.
LALESSO: Known for it’s Kenyan printed Kanga’s in soft beachy dresses, this collection includes more of a Hawaii 5-0 vintage feel than a traditional East African one. The palettes are always surrounded by the prints offered, and these two vignettes displayed cut and sew resort knits in contrasty, colour-blocked black and white with pops of orange, soft pastels, and bright turquoise with hot pink and yellow. The playful colour blocked 1960’s silhouettes and turban styling remains a staple.
THULARE MONERANG: Bold, graphic tees with gold foil printing and knit dressing displaying the shape of the continent and words like, “Mizansi”, (which is a term of endearment for local South Africans, meaning ”The City”), will prove to be retail friendly.
UNDACOVA: The designer duo has a reputation for bringing the fun back to underwear, displaying a range of edgy tribal and graphic prints with solid trims, paired with formal accessories such as bow ties and suspenders.
SWAY: Known for their mixing of prints and patterns, this collection keeps a tight palette of grays, lilacs, blues and greens with a variation on a floral used in colour blocking and to contrast the inside of flirty layered hemlines.
BLACK COAL: Sailor styling in red visors and scarves, trimmed with subtle Chanel-esq chain details are paired with sporty rinsed denim dresses, jumpers and jeans with nautical details, styled with self-fabric rosettes and ruffles.
TALLULEH JANE: Androgynous Brat Pack separates grounded in black, white and neutral khaki tones makes for a tight and clean wearable collection for newcomer Tallulah Jane. Tuxedo styled vests , classic tailored shorts and Breton striped knits all styled with neckties and straw hats.
SUGA SUGA: Woolworths own in-store range closed their show with rainbow coloured maxi dresses in painterly floral prints, and asymmetric seams styled with Caribbean straw hats with multi-coloured ribbon highlights.
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