A popular ethnic hair care brand has taken the opportunity to collaborate with Soweto Fashion Week, as fashion trends have consistently contributed to and creatively influenced popular hairstyles.
This year’s models were all styled by the hair brand for the event. The 2024 Soweto Fashion Week took place from May 7 – May 10, 2024 at the Soweto Theatre in Jabulani, Soweto. It featured the Autumn/Winter Collections for 2024.
The hair care brand manager, Pearle Peane, told Sunday World that: “Hair is a potent marker of social class, age, marital status, racial identity, political beliefs, attitudes towards gender and, of course, creative expression.”
Peane stated that designers and celebrities often set new standards that are eagerly adopted by the masses, reinforcing cultural identities along the way.
“Remarkably, some hairstyles have endured through centuries, maintaining their relevance and symbolism. Black hair, in particular, stands out for its malleable nature. It allows … for the creation of intricate symbolic meanings by artists and individuals alike,” Peane added.
The founder of Soweto Fashion Week, Stephen Manzini, said that the aim of the event is to build the township market.
Manzini explained that, though he did not grow up in Soweto, he has a family based in the township.
Dream come true for founder
“Soweto Fashion Week was an idea that I tried and it worked. I had no idea that this would work for me 13 years later.”
Manzini revealed that he has a strong background in fashion. His varsity side-job was modelling, he added.
“I got to see the industry. I got to see where I fit in society,” he said.
Manzini detailed that this season’s fashion week is themed around “uncharted creativity”. He said the theme makes this “the platform to tell us who you are”.
He said that it’s also a platform to showcase other people’s designs. The runway will help the broader audience get to know and understand these different unknown designs.
Manzini said that the team behind Soweto Fashion Week is relentless. It has one goal in mind, which is to push brands that will be seen tomorrow in retail stores.
“It is our passion, and you cannot define passion. It’s either you have it or not. For us as a team we have passion and over the years it has grown. It’s like a burning fire. To help people in this industry like brands, models and designers,” Manzini added.
Manzini revealed that the end result of hosting the fashion show was always gratifying.
The four-day fashion week event featured Lorang M Africa, Ndus Designs, an intern’s work from David Tlale. It also featured the Peachy Plum Jewelry. Tshegofatso by Design, Boys of Soweto and others, including designers from Moscow in Russia, were featured too.
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