Fashion week showcases autumn/winter collections.

The theme was Creative Freedom: Under the Pillars of Fashion, Art and Design, and designers presented their garments on the runway with pride and finesse.

Known as one of the country’s foremost sartorial events, the runway featured an array of collections showcasing the likes of Marianne Fassler, Abigail Betz, Morphe, Avant Apparel, Irmgard and Tsotetsi KL.

Fashion designers new to the industry were also given the chance to show their collections. In a stringent selection process, judges looked at graduate ranges from participating design institutions around the country to identify the 10 finalists. The finalists were Rich Mnisi, Ditiro Mashingo, Ellen Kondowe and Tuelo Ngunyuka from Gauteng, Fabian Ah-Sing, Jessica Ross, Robynn Deedat and Naazneen Kagee from the Western Cape, Benazeer Mulla from Kwa-Zulu Natal and Ruth McNaughton from the Eastern Cape.

These young designers were selected based on their excellent presentation, awareness of contemporary design trends, consideration of necessary details and trims, visual appeal, and technical consideration evidenced in their ranges. African Fashion International spokesperson, Nicholas Maweni said, “This year’s 10 AFI Fastrack finalists are testament to the fact that the design talent coming out of South Africa is of the highest calibre.

“We are proud to provide a platform for these young designers to make themselves known and acquire the crucial skills for sustainability in the industry.”