On Monday, 23 October, acclaimed designer David Tlale facilitated the second Buyel’ Ekhaya Fashion Development Workshop attended by over 70 aspiring young fashion designers and students at the Miriam Makeba Centre of Performing Arts in East London. The day ended with the announcement of 10 finalists from all over the Eastern Cape who will travel to Johannesburg to be mentored by renowned designer Thula Sindi from 6 November to 15 November 2017.
At the BFD workshop, the young designers received invaluable advice from industry veteran Tlale who was also part of the adjudication panel who went through their creative portfolios and selected the 10 finalists. The panel was made up of Regional Manager of The Fibre Processing and Manufacturing (FP&M) Seta Lungile Ngwenya , SABC Head of Radio Marketing Siphelele Sixaso, Head Designer of Monarchy Couture Archibald Monyepao, fashion designer Freddy Ngwenya and Walter Sisulu University Fashion Technician Sibusisiwe Nodada.
The promising designers who will travel to Johannesburg to take their first big steps into the fashion world, under the guidance of respected designer Thula Sindi are:
Ati Banoyolo Nwabisa Setipa (Mount Croix, Port Elizabeth)
Khaya Matolengwe (New Brighton, Port Elizabeth)
Lelethu Tyethe (Mdantsane, East London)
Ludidi Onke (Zwlitsha, King Williams Town)
Lungela Sijila (Zwelitsha, King Williams Town)
Masimzukise Jack (Quigney, East London)
Melinda Nkayi (Ezibeleni, Queenstown)
Nomfuneko Kenyane (Mdantsane, East London)
Yanga Nginda (Esplanade, East London)
Zandile Goniwe (Scenery Park, East London)
During the 10-day mentorship at the Thula Sindi studios the young designers will produce two garments each to be showcased at the second BF fashion show to be held on 15 DECEMBER at the Orient Theatre in Easter London under the theme “Going Back To Our Roots”. The show will be headlined major names Laduma Ngxokolo (MaXhosa), Tlale, Sindi, Gert-Johan Coetzee and Mozambican designer Taibo Bacar.
About Buyel’Ekhaya Fashion Development Programme
The BFD programme is an empowerment initiative of the Buyel’ Ekaya Pan African Festival and is made possible through the support of National Lottery and the Fibre Processing & Manufacturing Seta, among others.
