Hosted at the Mall of Africa, from the runway to the audience, the event was well attended and the three days was a showcase of an eclectic mix of styles, from bold prints that included sleek minimalist silhouettes, textures and prints. Not only did this fashion week provide a platform for local designers to showcase their creativity, but it also facilitated networking opportunities, collaborations, and industry recognition. An exciting addition to SA Fashion Week was ISUZU Motors South Africa (IMSAf ) coming on-board as the official motoring partner for the next two years, marrying motoring and fashion in an organic way. \u201cThe collaboration marks a significant milestone for both ISUZU and South Africa\u2019s renowned fashion event, combining the essence of craftsmanship, style, and creativity, \u201c says Nandi Matomela, ISUZU\u2019s Senior Manager: Brand Strategy & Field Marketing.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a global leader in the automotive industry, ISUZU is committed to delivering quality and durable vehicles that cater to diverse customer needs. And by partnering with SAFW , ISUZU aims to explore the synergy between the automotive and fashion worlds representing a fusion of design, functionality, and lifestyle,\u201d says Nandi. \u201cThis partnership resonates deeply with us, as it signifies our commitment to innovation, style, and pushing boundaries. We have partnered with the talented fashion creative directors Black Coffee by Jaques van der Watt and MANTSHO By Palesa Mokubung.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough this collaboration, we not only support the creative spirit of South African fashion but also celebrate and urge creators to #BringIt to make a lasting impression, she adds. As part of the ISUZU \u201cLuxury Collections\u201d showcase, Jacques van der Watt of fashion label Black Coffee and Mantsho by Palesa Mokubung presented their beautiful collections. Through a collection titled \u201cRe\/Form Black Coffee Winter 24\u201d Jacques explored the potential life cycle of a single garment by upcycling identical tunics into three different styles.<\/p>\n
Workwear fabrics were cut into geometric shapes and sewn together to create graphic patterns that live somewhere between flags and quilts. \u201cThe collection came together nicely and I am happy with what I put out, Jacques tells me backstage after the runway show. I\u2019ve been following his work, on and off the runway, and he is one of the most consistent designers we have that always puts out well thought of work season after season.\u201cOver the years, I\u2019ve really refined my signature, and I pride myself that there is a continuity from one collection to the next . The idea is that you can collect pieces from various Black Coffee collections and they kind of will work well together, he explains.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is definitely a certain proportion, even though I strive for newness, I didn\u2019t want the collection to be so new that I alienate our customers. I wanted this feeling of almost past, present and future, sort of like a cycle of the garment. It\u2019s an idea that you can revisit something old and give it a new life, which is the first time I\u2019ve done that ever, it was really challenging but I really enjoyed it. I worked with lots of modest and sort of workwear fabrics, cutting things up and assembling them back together again…that is why it\u2019s named Re\/Form. I am quite fascinated by the African and Japanese aesthetic as the cultures sort of overlap. I always think that when you play with more than one influence , it\u2019s easier to find newness, I never like focusing on one influence,\u201d Jacques adds.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISUZU may not be the first brand that comes to mind when talking about fashion, but its values are in perfect alignment with style and the support of local creative talent. The exciting ISUZU x SA Fashion Week collaboration with local designers showcased a distinctive range of fashion-forward merchandise. SA FASHION WEEK (SAFW) recently showcased its highly-anticipated Autumn and Winter 2024 collections, leaving us fashion enthusiasts spellbound with an array of vibrant designs by some of South Africa\u2019s most-sought after designers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12963,"featured_media":38293,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35,36],"tags":[7,37,38],"class_list":{"0":"post-38296","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-fashion","8":"category-lifestyle","9":"tag-apie-project","10":"tag-fashion","11":"tag-lifestyle"},"yoast_head":"\n