Organisers of Fashion Week Studio Inc. International hosted their very first fashion runway show in Cape Town.
The night launched the Pan-African Luxury Group which is a collection of some of Africa’s top designers that will be presented in NYC, Paris and Milan in 2024. The showcase of African designers as luxury and developed brands will take place alongside international designers.
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The runway show took place on Sunday, 2 December 2023 and was directed by Fashion Week Studio director, Amélie Pimont, a multifaceted fashion curator, runway director, author, film producer, and CEO based in Los Angeles.
Pimont ventured into the fashion world by producing fashion shows for Fashion Week Studio Inc in Paris, Milan and NYC. Over time, her dedication, business acumen, and creative vision propelled her to assume the role of CEO, where she continues to foster innovation, collaboration, and support for emerging and established designers in Africa, Asia, Europe and all parts of the world.
Amongst the fashion icons in the room, the founder and owner of Fashion Week Studio Inc., Nathanaëlle Hottois Galetlole, spoke about her goals for the Pan African Luxury launch. Their objective was to introduce African Designers as luxury fashion contributors to the world and not as beggars nor “upcoming”, but as a complete brand that produces world-renowned iconic pieces for the international stage.
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African designers are capable of competing amongst some of the biggest names in the fashion industry. Nathanaelle was also accompanied by Stephanie Moss, a visionary entrepreneur and the driving force behind Solutions Group Events, a renowned event management company in South Africa.
Walking on the runway were 20 models scouted from Cape Town as part of an empowerment programme to groom local models.
They showcased the following designers:
– Belle Togs by Keke Moeca, a seasoned fashion designer based in Gauteng who recently walked her new range in Paris in September.
– Molebatsi was founded by South Africa’s designer couple fashion designer Jessica Jane and film producer/ actor Wandile Molebatsi and was recently showcased on Paris & Milan fashion runways. A combination of Xhosa and Tswana culture and traditional wedding or Makoti pieces. The brand’s goal is to show the power of love and unification, the real purpose behind social cohesion, through fashion.
– Christopher Emef by Christopher Emefiele (24), a British Nigerian fashion designer, born in the UK of Nigerian descent. The Christopher Emef brand is a contemporary Menswear brand with the essence of timeless luxury, known for its meticulous precision and attention to detail in every distinctive garment.
– SARAYYA clothing line by Safiètou Seck a fashion designer from Dakar, Senegal who showcased a variety of handwoven fabrics from Senegal, Burkina Faso and Mali. Safiétou chose the name Surayya to the express idea that women are precious and unique.
These 4 designers left the room with a standing ovation from some of Europe’s top-tier fashion buyers, entrepreneurs, and fashion curators visiting South Africa for the first time, looking at ways to endorse local designers on the global stage.
“We have 3 Upcoming shows to prepare for 2024 starting in Paris, Milan then New York and through the Pan African Luxury group launch we hope to pave the way for more African designers to showcase their work to the world,” said Nathanaelle, founder of FWS Inc.
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