Jo’burg Fashion Week is a great marketing tool for young designers especially. Qedani Mahlangu, economic developer a Gauteng MEC spoke at the opening of the AFI on Wednesday, and said that her department is completely committed to supporting young designers both motivationally and financially. She believes that “We owe it to ourselves” to support these newcomers because if we don’t, the personal touch and flair of the different designers will be taken away and replaced by the generics that are made in China. Another effort to support and popularize their designs is a young group of stylists called Boys of Sowearto, who captures the essence of this message perfectly: “The world has a certain perspective of Africa, but with our designers on show they must see what we are capable of.” The support of companies and group formation inspires and provides hope for a future for young African designers.
