DUT’s Nthabiseng Molefe’s cubism and dimensions inspired collection has once again placed her in the favour of the judges when she was named as one of the AFI Fasttrack finalists during the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week which took place at Melrose Arch, Johannesburg.
Molefe’s range was first showcased at DUT’s 2014 Annual Fashion Show where she scooped the Most Commercial Range award. Cubism, the most influential visual art styles of the early twentieth century began as an idea, ultimately becoming a style, based on Paul Cezanne’s three main ingredients, namely geometricity, simultaneity (multiple views) and passage. Dimensions refer to a measurable extent of a particular kind such as length, breadth, depth and height.
AFI Fasttrack is a young designer incubation initiative established in 2011 by African Fashion International (AFI). The programme was created to discover new talent in the fashion industry. The main goal of AFI Fasttrack is to assist upcoming designers to enhance their creativity and “fast track” their aesthetics and points of view. AFI’s mission is to guide these designers in bridging the gap between the creative and commercial side of the fashion industry, becoming a catalyst for sustainable fashion business.
The Durbanite, who draws her inspiration from almost everything and anything surrounding her, said most of her creativity is from historical art fused with modern trends. “I love art. Anything that is artistic speaks to me and putting together fabrics definitely speaks to me and has proven to be my main game,” said Molefe.
Her love for fashion started at an early age where she hand sew clothes and pyjamas for her Barbie doll. The AFI Fasttrack is the first competition in which she is a finalist. For Molefe this selection means so much more than growth and exposure. “This is the best platform for me to be incubated and a great opportunity to launch my brand. However, it is also a very humbling experience and a sign that I am on the right path.” She extended her gratitude to her lecturers at DUT’s Fashion and Textile Department.
Although she is excited, she feels that there is still plenty of room for improvement, particularly for her fashion business which she wants to see in South African stores and in online platforms. Molefe’s latest achievement (being a AFI Fasttrack finalist) has earned her five months of internship where she will be mentored by one of Africa’s top fashion designers and take part in the African Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Cape Town in October this year where a winner will be chosen.
DUT Department of Fashion and Textiles HoD, Sunthra Moodley, congratulated Molefe on her achievement. “We are extremely proud of Nthabiseng. This is an achievement she has truly earned and we are very proud of her. On behalf of the department, I want to wish her every success in all her future endeavours,” said Moodley.
– – Noxolo Memela
Pictured: Nthabiseng Molefe (purple dress) surrounded by models in her designs.
