African Fashion International provides platform to global modeling success
A striking collection of fresh faces and established local & international models will take to the runway for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Joburg to showcase the foremost sartorial Autumn/ Winter collections at Melrose Arch, from 5-7 March.
The models, who have been specifically chosen by AFI to walk the Joburg runway, have particular significance due to the immense success past AFI runway models have achieved internationally.
These include names such as Aymeline Valade, who is ranked one of the Top 50 Models in the world; Angolan beauty Roberta Narciso, who has become a favourite at Paris, Milan and New York Fashion Weeks and; Grace Mahary, one of the newest additions to the Victoria’s Secret angels.
“AFI runways are exciting because we often see new models breaking out globally after strutting through Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Joburg and Cape Town. This season I am firmly focused on exciting new faces from Africa and around the world that will be joining our model ranks, and providing them with a platform to success” says Deon Redman, Casting Director for MBFWJ 2015.
Audiences will have a mix of local and international models to look out for, including Tricia Akello from Uganda and Brazilian beauties Elen Santiago and Cynthia Barbosa, as well as Milan Dixon from the USA all debuting at MBFWJ 2015. Queen Onyemaechi, the winner of Nigeria’s Next Top Supermodel 2014, is also set to dazzle in a number of collections.
With the stellar line-up of internationally acclaimed designers such as David Tlale, Gavin Rajah and Stefania Morland, set to showcase, it is no surprise that Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Joburg has drawn models, media and buyers from around the world.
“We will also welcome back the “New Face of the Year” nominees from last year’s Africa Fashion Awards – Bianca Brombin, Imade Bolanle Ogbewi, and winner Favour Lucky. Any one of these new faces could go on to take fashion’s global runways by storm in the near future, which is an exciting possibility” adds Deon Redman.
Set to be a showcase of world class design and beauty, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Joburg 2015 will take place in the premier commercial and retail space, Melrose Arch, known for its definitive standard of luxury fashion and culture, from 5-7 March.
About AFI
African Fashion International (AFI) presents African fashion and creative talent in a manner that makes fashion from the continent globally relevant and ensures that the world has market access to African product and design. Through the organisation’s promotion, curation and support services, AFI ensures that the international community responds positively and commercially to African-designed products that are readily available, unique and on-trend.
Through its Fashion Weeks, namely Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Joburg, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Cape Town and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Africa, AFI opens up the continent to commercial projects, both locally and internationally- increasing the geographic spread and market access to the continent’s design equity, fashion apparel, accessories and crafts.
AFI showcase the best designers from the continent, offering them access to the domestic and international market share, while also growing a platform meant to support the sustainability of the African fashion industry through job creation. AFI also remains committed to growing a new legion of designers through the AFI Fastrack™ programme