SA Fashion Week is upon us, and we’re excited to don our best outfits and rub shoulders with the who’s-who of Mzansi’s fashion scene. So, let’s unpack the main deets you need to know.
What is Fashion Week?
We realise we’re probably speaking to two different groups of people here – the dedicated followers of fashion who know of and regularly attend Fashion Weeks, and our loyal CLHG followers who might be reading this because they’re interested in knowing what all the buzz is about. We’ll just lay out the basics here, so we’re all on the same page.
Fashion Week is all about forecasting the cutting edge of fashion for the upcoming seasons, as told by the creative industry professionals themselves. Fashion Weeks happen all across the world, and the SA Fashion Week has developed a rich heritage since its inception in 1997. You’ll likely hear this show being referred to as AW23 – meaning the collections you’ll be seeing are intended for the Autumn and Winter period in 2023.
You may be confused why the event is called Fashion Week, when the shows only run from Thursday 20 October to Saturday 22 October. This is because, immediately after the runway show, a Trade Show will continue on from Sunday 23 October to Monday 24 October. The trade show is free to attend, but aimed at a more B2B audience, offering designers a broader opportunity to get their collections into retail stores.
The clothes you’ll see will be locally designed and, as has been the focus lately, made with locally produced fibres where possible. This is in line with the industry’s goals as a whole, promoting slow and sustainable fashion, as well as gender and body inclusivity.
Who will be there?
At this stage, it’s easier to ask who WON’T be there. For starters, 27 of SA’s hottest designers and collectives will be launching their collections – this number may still increase as final applications come in.
Next, industry professionals and buyers are a given too, from big retail outlets to quaint, eclectic boutiques. This creates an indescribable energy as everyone is eager to see where the SA fashion trends go next and want to put their best foot forward, so to speak.
How much are tickets?
The various collections being shown by the designers are grouped into shows. There are 3 shows on Thursday 20 October, 3 shows on Friday 21 October and 4 shows on Saturday 22 October. Tickets start from R287 per show on Quicket, meaning attending all 10 shows would set you back a little under R3,000. A small price to pay for fashion, no? The trade show portion is free to attend.
Where is it?
The Mall of Africa has been home of SA Fashion Week for three years now. The shows will take place near Entrance 24 on Level G5 – follow the trail of well-dressed folks if you’re struggling. The trade show will also take place in Mall of Africa, but will be housed in the Crystal Court.
We know an event of this nature draws attention from around the country and, indeed, around the world too. For those attending out of town, it’d be an honour to be your home away from home during your stay.
Courtyard Hotel Waterfall City is your best option – our flagship hotel is a runway-worthy place to stay! It is located directly across the road from the Mall of Africa. We’re ready to roll out the red carpet for you and make you feel like the celebrity that you are!
City Lodge Hotel Waterfall City is another option if you’re on a tighter budget – though don’t get us wrong, you’ll still have a comfortable stay to look forward to. It’s a short 1.2km or 4 minute drive away.
All in all, SA Fashion Week 2022 looks to be an exciting extravaganza of exceptional fashion!