Some of the city’s top fashion designers showcased their designs at the Menlyn fashion experience (#MFE) held over the weekend.
The show featured a fusion of lifestyle, music and fashion. It was aimed at celebrating upcoming designers and giving them a chance to share a stage with more established fashionistas.
The event was an important part of revitalising the city’s economy and encouraging local designers to invest in their talent, said CEO of Gauteng Tourism Authority Siphiwe Ngwenya.
“Such events always happen in Sandton, Durban and other parts of the country. We felt it necessary to bring it to Pretoria and empower the area’s designers,” said Ngwenya.
Locals Orapeleng Modutle and Tshepo Ngobeni flew the Pretoria flag high with the audience cheering and applauding their designs.
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Ngwenya, who showed off a tailored scotch suit by Modutle, said it was important to empower local designers. “Their work helps to expand the prospects of employment, development and growth in the city.
“My suit was made in Ga-Rankuwa. This only shows the talent our local designers have to offer. These are the same designers who will set up stores in malls and create employment.”
The event – the first of its kind – also featured big names in the industry such as David Tlale and Palse Homme’s Paledi Segapo. It was an initiative by the National Fashion Industry Consumer Transformation Agency in partnership with the Tshwane metro and Menlyn Park shopping centre.
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The metro said it supported any skills development platforms that boosted creative industries and were economically beneficial to creators, stylists and communities in the city.
Designers from other parts of the country, television actors and make-up artists, came to share their experience. R&B sensation Donald performed at the show.
Event organisers said it was the first of many to come.
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