AFI has picked the right one
SANDTON – From Africa to Morocco the runway will tell tales never told before.
Sindi Mbobo was one of the finalists to join the African Fashion International (AFI) development programme on 28 May at The Maslow Hotel, Sandton.
This year’s Fastrack AFI winner was announced at Cape Town Fashion Week. The Kimberley-born designer received R50 000 as a cash prize to start his business. He will be afforded the opportunity to access fashion week runways in South Africa and Morocco.
Mbobo attended the Cape Town College of Fashion Design and is now based in Johannesburg.
AFI was established as an initiative that identifies and invests in the best of the continent’s young designers by providing them with direct access to mentorships, media exposure and business acumen through a year-long programme that prepares them to navigate the fashion landscape.
Having competed with Aaliya Randeree and Cari St Quentin at Cape Town Fashion Week, Mbobo blew the judges away with his collection inspired by the uniforms worn by youths in the 70s, who were enforcing change into South Africa.
Chesney Williams from AFI Prive said, “It is great to see how a new winner is paving their way in South African fashion through stories of our past.”
Mbobo said that he had always doubted himself and felt he was not good enough to do what he was doing, and this made him work twice as hard as a designer.
“I love to tell stories through the designs that I create. I look at elements around me when designing. I look at buildings, shapes in any form or function, from interior design to architecture,” he said.
“All of this creativity leads me to document my thoughts in a journal and these thoughts then become my designs.
“I am honestly thankful for all the opportunities. I am appreciative to AFI for teaching me how to be patient. I have now taught myself to be a focused designer, not a trend designer.”
Details: AFI 011 324 1500.
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