The 28th SA Fashion Week (SAFW) spring/summer edition kicks off this Thursday at The Forum in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, where fashion enthusiasts, content creators, socialites, and celebrities will descend for a three-day celebration of style and creativity.
As always, the spotlight will be on the “frow”, the coveted front-row seats where industry heavyweights, influencers, and trendsetters will gather to witness the latest collections from some of South Africa’s top designers.
Fifteen established designers are set to showcase their latest collections, including fashion heavyweights such as Gert-Johan Coetzee, Thabo Makhetha, Tiger Blue, Rubicon, Naked Ape, Bam Collective, Beach Cult, and Oyama Gonintebe.
However, the most anticipated moment of the evening will be the presentation of the SAFW New Talent Search finalists. Eight up-and-coming designers will each present seven looks that embody their unique creative vision, brand identity, and commitment to sustainability. The grand prize of R20,000 is up for grabs, providing the winner with a launchpad to kick-start their fashion career.
Previous winners of the talent search have included industry giants like David Tlale, Jacques van der Watt (Black Coffee), Mmuso Maxwell, Artho Eksteen, and Thando Ntuli (Munkus). This year, Tadiwanashe Kaparipari, a 23-year-old designer, will be hoping to join their ranks.
Kaparipari reflects on her decision to take part in one of South Africa’s largest fashion platforms, saying, “The decision to go for one of the biggest fashion platforms in SA was to challenge myself, be immersed in the world of fashion, and see what others are doing.”
Already an emerging star, Kaparipari won the Rocking the Daisies Festival Fashion Talent Search in Cape Town last year. Her collection, inspired by the theme “Into the Stars”, featured bold, vibrant designs with a focus on texture. “It gave me a push to know that I am capable of being on these platforms,” she adds.
Kaparipari’s brand name is a reflection of her heritage and faith. “My mother liked the way the announcer pronounced my name. She felt power in it and suggested I use my name as a brand name. My full name [Tadiwanashe] means ‘We are loved by God’ in Shona, and my brand name, split up as ‘Tadi wa Nashe’, means ‘We belong to God’.”
Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, and having moved to South Africa at the age of seven, Kaparipari holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design from Stadio School of Fashion, where she graduated last year. She credits her faith for much of her creative process. “The collection is inspired by the story of Deborah in the Bible. She was a strong woman – a poet, singer, songwriter, judge, and prophetess – she was multi-hyphenated. I wanted to create a collection fit for women who are doing many things and not simply one type of woman,” she says.
For her SAFW collection, Kaparipari plans to feature modern African luxury designs with custom prints and upcycled upholstery that mimics denim. She also incorporates exaggerated silhouettes that reflect her artistic vision. “In grade 10, I asked my mother for a sewing machine as a birthday gift and my passion for fashion began to grow. Asking for the sewing machine was after I had decided that I wanted to pursue fashion, and my mom took a chance on me,” she shares.
Fashion is more than just a career for Kaparipari; it’s a natural part of her life. “Fashion for me comes naturally and I find comfort in it. It is something I naturally gravitate towards and it seeps into every part of my life. I’m just constantly thinking about fashion and my brain is always on a creative mode.”
With SAFW now underway, the future of South African fashion is bright, with new talent like Kaparipari poised to make a significant impact on the industry.
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