ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS Since its inception Mzansi designers has made big strides to helping its affiliated candidates realise their dreams, by securing their participation at South Africa's Premium Fashion Event, i.e. The 2005 South African Fashion Week, which was held at the Sandton Convention Centre from 28th - 31st July 2005. See pictures on accompanying disk. 12 (Twelve) of the affiliated candidates participated and 4 ( Four ) Brands were launched, namely :- Sovuk' - A brand owned by three inhouse candidates, namely :
Mello - A brand owned by two inhouse candidates, namely :
Umabo - A brand owned by four inhouse candidates, namely :
Tribalism - A brand owned by one semi established designer, namely :
These brands were paraded on the Public Runway at the event. Initially Mzansi Designers was earmarked to showcase ones but with the fresh new look Mzansi Designers was bringing, another slot was created and therefore Mzansi Designers had the second show. Mzansi Designers participated at the Fashion Week in two categories, i.e. The two fashion shows and the five days exhibition. Although all the candidates were presented with the opportunity to showcase their creations on both events, the one brand only managed to participate in the exhibition only. Thuleni - A brand owned by two semi established designers, namely : Helen Taylor and Nokuthula Mnyandu. This brand only had its creations dislayed at the exhibition stand. After the 2005 Fashion Week Mzansi, Designers has since received several invitations to participate at a number of events. The first was: - EVENT : The International Marketing Council Woman's Day Celebration DATE : 23rd August 2005. This was an event held by International Marketing Council in recognition of woman in its employment. The event was celebrated during woman's month and Mzansi Designers provided the clothes that were modelled by IMC'S woman employees. See pictures on disk provided. -------------------------------------------------- EVENT : The South Africa Week ( Cameroon ) DATE : 18th – 22nd September 2005 This was an event organised by the South African Embassy in Cameroon to promote South African Art and Culture. The event was in an exhibition form and Mzansi Designers, represented by Nkululeko ( Nani ) Zondo was invited to exhibit. The exhibition was a success and Mzansi Designers has been invitation to come back in December. Miss Zondo's trip and Mzansi Designers participation at the exhibition was made posible by sponsorship from the Department of Arts and Culture. The following are events Mzansi Designers was involved in 2005 - EVENT : GRACE BIBLE CHURCH WEDDING DATE : 01 OCTOBER 2005 This was purely a marketing campaign aimed at positioning Mzansi Designers as the number one force in the fashion industry. Mzansi Designers sponsored the following - A Bridal Gown & Ethnic Outfit, Grooms Suit & Ethnic Outfit, 2 Bridesmaids Outfits and 2 Male Suits. -------------------------------------------------- Event : Diva Africa Icon Awards Date : 22 October 2005 This was an event organised to celebrate people who have made a difference in other peoples lives by offering them awards in recognition of their contribution. It focused on the whole continent and the awards covered the different fields in our industries. Mzansi Designers dressed the convener and the Director of Escom Foundation whom, were the official Sponsor. -------------------------------------------------- EVENT : Miss Confidence DATE : 17 November 2005 Miss Confidence is a Pageant for people with disabilities. This was purely a marketing envoy aimed at heightening Mzansi Designers arrival on the Training, Development and Fashion scene. Mzansi Designers Sponsored 12 Evening Outfits, 12 Ethnic Outfits and 2 outfits for the convener and of the event coordinator. -------------------------------------------------- Event : Rhema Cultural Day Date : 27 November 2005 The event was held at the Rhema Bible Church. It was held to highlight South Africa's cultural diversities on Heritage day. Mzansi Designers showcased 30 Outfits depicting South Africa's 11 cultural groups. -------------------------------------------------- EVENT : Strategic Design Intervention for Developing Economies. In that week, we were invited by NID to attend an international design seminar in India and the design department of DAC was keen on financing our trip. Ms Dimakatso Dikgole and Mr Lesego Malatsi had to undertake the trip and left South Africa on the 30th January and returned on the 09th February 2006. -------------------------------------------------- EVENT : Cape Town Fashion Festival. Mzansi Designers had the previlaige of been invited to showcase and exhibit its winter range at this prestigious event, which is a brainchild of the South African Clothing and Textile Workers Union the government of Cape Town. -------------------------------------------------- EVENT : Exhibition highlighting the S A host cities and key government stakeholders. DATE : 07 July 2006 As a referral from IMC, Global Interface and Remba Connections commissioned Mzansi Designers to design and manufacture the hostess & waitrons uniform for the South African Local Organising Committee of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup. The exhibition also showcased the media unveiling of the S A’s 2010 logo and identity. This event, which was attended by 2000 invited international media and VIP’s from around the globe, took place at the Tempodrome in Berlin, Germany. -------------------------------------------------- EVENT : SSAFW South African Fashion Week is one premier event for Young, Upcoming, Fledgling, Semi Established and Established Fashion Designers. The event gives the platform for these designers to showcase their work and the opportunity to network with other colleagues in the industry. Therefore, the need to participate in this event can not be over emphasized. -------------------------------------------------- Mzansi Designers like any institution, always seek to position itself in line with other brands either above or in its league, therefore taking part at these events become imperative, for it to reach its set objective. After our new intake of 08 (eight) designers the need to participate became even much greater. This year Mzansi Designers showcased Umabo and Sovouk as a follow up to the 2005 launch and launched two other brands, namely : Lesedi and Mzaaaa. As participation at SAFW is been rated in terms of consistency, Mzansi Designers was given a bigger platform to present its creations on and the response was great as people indicated this by complimenting Mzansi Designers. This was also reflected by patronage at Mzansi Designers exhibition stand. Whilst Mzansi Designers has done everything possible to have its candidates work presented at SAFW, its participation could not have been possible without financial commitments to the SAFW conveners. The one unfortunate thing we could not secure, are pictures accompanying Mzansi Designers debut show as a force to be reckoned with. This is a result of escalating cost associated with positioning of an entity. We, however, hope to send pictures at a later stage ones we have been able to release them from the photographers and also having been able to pay SAFW office their outstanding amount of our participation cost. In closing, the candidates that are currently undergoing internship at Mzansi Designers has expressed their sincere appreciation of Department of Arts and Culture Poverty Alleviation sponsorship for them to be at Mzansi Designers. They hope that the project can be highly supported as it serves as a gateway for job creation and poverty alleviation. With successful participation of Mzansi Designers at SAFW, we now are currently conducting skills audit of 03 (Three) prospective candidates that are likely to undergo mentorship. The project leaders at Mzansi Designers also want to express their sincere appreciation for the DAC’S contribution to Mzansi Designers successful presentation of the candidates creations at SAFW. -------------------------------------------------- EVENT : Sampling and Swim Shorts Production. DATE : 09th October 2006 Mzansi Designers, commissioned by Emang Lodireng General Trading is waiting on a confirmation and approval from SABS of sample already produced. This sample is part of an order for 2 700 military swimwear short pants that need to be produced ones SABS has given the go ahead. The client has approved the sample already done. -------------------------------------------------- EVENT : ABSA Soweto Festival The festival was held at Kliptown Square. This place, hold a very significant historical standing among a number of black South Africans. Mzansi Designers was afforded an opportunity to have an exhibition stand where merchandise from Mzansi Designers brands where displayed. The stand attracted a lot of patronage. |