The rebirth of the Soweto fashion week takes off

As South Africa’s local fashion industry continues to recover from the devastating impact of covid-19, the industry which was left on its knees is looking to shine the sun once again for fashion enthusiasts.

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The popular Soweto Fashion Week (SFW) is set to make a massive comeback for its 11 season after a 24-month hiatus.

The show will officially make its showcase in May 2023 at the Soweto theatre, in time for the Autumn/ Winter collection featuring 25 emerging and household designers who will showcase their collections on the Soweto runway.

SFW was founded over a decade ago, by Stephen Manzini with the aim to introduce change to the fashion runway for emerging local designers who sought to penetrate the fashion scene both on a local and international scale.

“We are thrilled to bring it back to the people. The return of the Soweto Fashion Week means there is going to be an influx of emerging designers and township designers into the market.

“We understand the fashion here, perhaps in a way that certain people in high fashion may not understand it,” Manzini said.

The fashion show over the years has become one of the respected annual fashion events, which has continued to create a buzz and cement its bold and versatile offering in line with global trends forecasts.

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The show has also helped produce a long list of SA’s thriving designers and brands in the local fashion scene such as casual wear brand Thesis, Urban Zulu, Touch of Bling, Zamaswazi and Floyd Avenue.

“Our vision has not changed. It has always been to build a premium fashion platform here in the township which was formally not catered for and become a respected player in the fashion industry. A key part of our brand was making sure we open up for local designers into new markets,” he said.

“We are going to make a massive announcement but we have an oil fragrances partner. We are bringing in fragrances and scents into fashion and we are thrilled to see how it’s going to be received. I think if you notice, every time we get a brand to partner with us, we incorporate them into what we are doing,” Manzini added.

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The SFW will host its relaunch at the prestigious theatre in Soweto early next month. According to Manzini, the relaunch will encompass a trans-seasonal presentation from seven designers, which will incorporate both Summer/Spring and Winter/Autumn looks.

“The relaunch is our opportunity of reintroducing the show and the brand itself as we look forward to building the fashion industry post Covid-19,” he said.

“To make it even more exciting, it’s going to be trans-seasonal, it’s going to be a presentation format where each designer will showcase five garments,” he explained.

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