Sandra invited for double fashion weeks in SA
Sandra Nsonga, the sole Malawian designer who made it to South Africa to participate at the just ended inaugural South Africa Fashion Conference (SAFC) Fashion Week, has killed two birds with one stone by being offered contracts to perform at two more fashion shows.
Nsonga, who runs Splendour Designs in Blantyre, has been offered a contract to participate at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, later in the year and the SAFC Fashion Week in October.
In an interview,SAFC Fashion Week public relations officer Thandikile Khumalo said they are impressed by Nsonga’s designs and they have considered her name for the next events.
“We had a successful festival, we invited 20 models and designers and 13 made it. However, among those that exhibited, we are proud of Sandra and Tumelo of Botswana.
We achieved more than we planned because we managed to get to the townships and the youth were amazed to see fashion, which is mostly enjoyed by those in the city,” said Khumalo.
The fashion week took place at the Devland Ext 27 Park in Devland City, Gauteng.
Five models and designers were in action from 8pm to 11pm daily from April 30 to May 4 in different categories namely Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Snow White and Cruella.
Nsonga, who also exhibited at the inaugural Malawi Fashion Week, showcased her work in Cinderella category, and according to an interview she did with SA’s Metro FM, the young lady inspired participants and organisers of other fashion events.
“It was a great experience and I am happy that most people were impressed by my work. Organisers of the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week approached me right away and I am swayed and ready to maintain the reputation,” said Sandra in a phone interview on Tuesday.
SAFC Fashion Week was founded to create a platform for up-and-coming designers and models from within and without South Africa to showcase their work, while influencing the youths to desist from immorality.
The first event recognised the growing talent in Malawi and invited eight models and designers, but due to lack of funding, only Nsonga made it.
“Being our first event, we could not afford to source enough funding, but we managed to source food from Spar, transport and some money to support the designers’ stay,” said Khumalo, adding that the next event will be better and bigger.
