Lerato Kganyago, a fashionista in her own right, played host at the recent launch of the inaugural Fashion Industry Awards South Africa. Picture: Ray Manzana
South Africa is the land of plenty… awards that is. We practically have awards for everything.
The SA Sports Awards, the South African Music Awards, the South African Film and Television Awards, hip hop awards, the Royalty Soapie Awards…the list is endless.
Now taking centre stage is a new baby on the block; the Fashion Industry Awards South Africa. These are billed to be annual awards and, God willing, if South Africa has reached herd immunity and there are no Covid-19 restrictions, they will take place towards the end of the year, in November to be specific.
An initiative between the Fashion Forum Group in partnership with the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, these awards were ushered in by none other than Metro FM host Lerato Kganyago, who is a style icon herself.
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“The awards aim to recognise, celebrate and honour innovators and creatives in fashion with industry awards,” co-founder Simphiwe Majola says, adding that besides the awards they want to focus on education and mentorship programmes in the business of fashion to improve equality and make sure there is diversity in the fashion industry.
At the glamorous launch attended by industry players and celebrities including Real Housewives of Durban star Ayanda Ncwane, different categories were announced, which include most influential designer, emerging talent, life-time achievement award, heritage/culture designer and fashion influencer among many others. Leading up to the awards, the Fashion Forum Group promised to host a variety of activities.
“We want to embark on a roadshow throughout the country that will educate and empower upcoming fashion innovators, while hosting a variety of webinars, pop up activations, African cuisine experiences tied to fashion and much more to make it as exciting as possible,” Simphiwe says.
For now, we are counting down to the awards to see who the fashion police will put behind bars for a fashion faux pas. This is South Africa after all and there is some celebrity who will definitely break the rules.
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