The country’s top designers paired with fashion students to show a different approach to football, with one-of-a-kind high-fashion creations at the Nedbank Cup Football Fan Fashion Show.
With 16 dramatic designs from 16 of the best fashion students, mentored by 16 of the country’s most gifted fashion gurus to represent the 16 teams in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) it certainly made for a glamorous fashion extravaganza at the Museum of African Design on 14 May.
Sydney Mbhele, divisional executive at Nedbank Group Marketing, said this was a great way to bridge the gap between football and high fashion, and what better way than by bringing out the big names in South Africa’s fashion industry?
“We all have dreams, ambitions and goals. The most successful people we read about had someone assist them to make their dreams happen and we are committed as a bank to being a catalyst in enabling our clients and communities we serve to make the things that really matter happen in their lives.”
Judges: Jenny Andrew, fashion director at Wanted Magazine ; Lerato Tshabala, contributing editor and Thembalethu Zulu, social columnist for the Sunday Times embarked on a nationwide campus tour, looking at thousands of hopefuls, to choose 16 of the most promising fashion students.
The students were then paired with leading fashion designers to mentor them. The designers included David Tlale, Milq and Honey , Gert-Johan Coetzee and Gavin Rajah.
Each student had to take inspiration from a team – which designers had picked in a draw – and use that team’s logo, colours and heritage as part of the vision for their ultimate runway-ready garments.
Finally, the grand design of the evening was scooped up by Terrence Bray and student, Tamlin Bergoff. The opulent black and gold creation was won by Kaizer Chiefs super fan, Fefe Sonti. Durban University of Technology student, Safyia Noor Mahomed emerged victorious in the Best Student Category, mentored by Kathrin Kidger – the two represented Polokwane City FC. Gavin Rajah strutted off with the Best Designer trophy.