Fashion only goes in one direction - forward – and African Fashion International (AFI), owner and operator of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Cape Town 2017 (#MBFWCT17), is a firm believer in thinking that way too.

Fashion is a huge influential market and through its’ Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week properties, AFI’s aim, as it…

“The joy of dressing is an art.” John Galliano

As a housewife with a passion for fashion for almost 30 years, Mariam Desai had always sewn her own dresses, with people stopping her in the street to compliment her; so after her children

had grown up, she decided to actively pursue this passion and share her vision. Starting with…

“Self-expression and identification solidifies style as a person.” Chidinma Obairi

Always clipping on the imaginary mood board in her head, Chidinma Obairi cannot remember a time that she wasn't designing. With her mother as her mentor, greatest style icon and inspiration, she has constantly motivated and supported the Chidinma Obairi brand vision, and…

“Life isn't perfect but your outfit can be.”  Anonymous

The business of fashion is at the core of her brand, Adama Paris, which Senegalese fashion designer and entrepreneur, Adama Amanda Ndiaye, has created as her freedom of expression.

Falling in love with fashion in Paris, at an Yves Saint Laurent show, which she attended with…

 “Life is our runway; let us celebrate it in style and elegance on a daily basis.” David Tlale

“All hail the King, David Tlale,” who has a passionate penchant for experiential design, ensuring that his audience always gets what they come for – an unforgettable experience - with a continuous re-invention of his Brand…

“Lead, don’t follow.” Leigh Schubert

Fashion has always flowed through Leigh Schubert’s veins as she began designing clothes for her dolls at the tender age of six. She believes that fashion is a way to announce who you are to the world, and is the cover to your soul.

With her greatest challenge in the fashion industry being trying to please…

“I am going to make everything around me beautiful.” Elsie de Wolf

With an aim to make everything around her beautiful, Joanna Hedley from Beach Cult loves to create, paint, design and surround herself with the creations of others. This passion for creation, paired with her love of travel and fashion, which she has had for as long as she can remember, has…

“I see you shiver with anticipation.” Rocky Horror Picture Show

In his black leather loafers and Armani jacket, it is hard to imagine Craig Port as the “beach bum” that he describes himself as; but his passion for the sea and coastal living has moulded his aesthetic as a fashion designer, and given his body of work a distinctive sense of…

“God knew what he was doing when he created you.” Colombus Mara Zilwa

Jenevieve Lyons is on a mission to share parables through her pieces; and as a young South African designer, she sees fashion as a voice to portray her brand mission of realising cultural, social, political and environmental issues, within a fashion context; in order to educate and…

“The sole reason for living is to love and be loved.” Anonymous

Falling in love with fashion as a child attending a theatre production, Gavin Rajah was fascinated by the elaborate costume changes and their ability to dramatically alter a person’s persona. Mesmerised by the masquerade of clothing; together with a passion for the palette of colour,…

“Sometimes it’s good to get off the merry-go-round and get on the rollercoaster instead.” Anonymous

When Lara Klawikowski was a young girl, she recalls seeing a fashion piece on Jean Paul Gaultier on television, and remembers how much glamour and happiness lived in him and his work. This moment, paired with her well-dressed Russian grandmother,…

Both on and off the runway, life is a collaboration; and through a culmination of strengths shared, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week has partnered with Zebra Square PR and Communications Agency to bring a fashion forward focus to one the most beautiful cities on earth, in…