A KOMANI fashion designer, Melinda Nkayi of Ezibeleni, is among a group of Eastern Cape designers who will be benefitting from a life-changing opportunity – a mentoring session with renowned designer Thula Sindi.
On Monday, 23 October 2017, acclaimed designer David Tlale facilitated the second Buyel’ekhaya Fashion Development Workshop attended by over 70 aspiring young fashion designers and students at the Miriam Makeba Centre of Performing Arts in East London. The day ended with the announcement of 10 finalists from all over the Eastern Cape who will travel to Johannesburg to be mentored by renowned designer Thula Sindi from November 6 to 15.
At the workshop the young designers received invaluable advice from Tlale who was also part of the adjudication panel who went through their creative portfolios and selected the 10 finalists. The panel was made up of Regional Manager of The Fibre Processing and Manufacturing (FP&M) Seta Lungile Dlamini, SABC Head of Radio Marketing Siphelele Sixaso, Head Designer of Monarchy Couture Archibald Monyepao, fashion designer Freddy Ngwenya and Walter Sisulu University Fashion Technician Sibusisiwe Nodada.
The promising designers who will travel to Johannesburg to take their first big steps into the fashion world, under the guidance of Sindi are:
Ati Setipa and Khanya Matolengwe, both of Port Elizabeth, Lelethu Tyethe of East London, Ludiki Onke and Lungela Sijila of King William’s Town, Masimuzukise Jack of East London, Nkayi of Komani, Nomfuneko Kenyane, Yanda Nginda and Zandile Goniwe – the latter three all of East London.
During the ten day mentorship the young designers will produce two garments each to be showcased at the 2nd Buyel’ekhaya Fashion Show on December 15 at the Orient Theatre in East London with the theme “Going Back to our roots” with other designer names Laduma Ngxokolo, Tlale, Sindi, Gert-Johan Coetzee and Taibo Bacar.
