The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Fashion and Textiles student, Andile Nsele has been awarded the Excellence Achievement Award at the 6th International Youth Design Competition (IYDC) hosted by the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology recently.
Nsele was chosen by his department to enter the competition. He travelled to China with his fashion lecturers and showcased his winning range titled, Ukuphahla.
IYDC formed part of the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology’s core 60th Anniversary celebration. The theme for this year was “Culture – Integration” and attracted an estimated 33 entrants from all over the world. Eight awards were given out in total, 5 Excellence Award, a Bronze, Silver and Gold- Nsele was one of the five to win the Excellence Award.
Nsele said he couldn’t believe he was one of the five that took the competition’s top award and this experience has taught him to believe in himself.
“Looking around other contestants’ body of work, I was scared. I did even think about winning because it was that good. But I learned to believe in myself and be proud of what I have to offer,” he said.
Explaining the motivation behind his designs, he said they tell the stories of social issues Africans experience every day.
“It’s very hard to try and simplify those social issue into a garment but that’s what my range was about. Every line, fold that I did was a conscious decision to fulfil my duty in trying to solve these social issues that we have in our community. For me this means Ubuthu is alive and I can make a living without changing my values.”
Fashion and Textile’s Head of Department, Sunthra Moodley congratulated Nsele saying, “The award was well deserved. Andile is a self-motivated individual and worked consistently throughout the year. His range of garments were very well thought out and conceptualised. We are very proud of his accomplishment.”
Pictured: (L-R) DUT Faculty of Arts and Design’s Executive Dean, Dr René Smith, Fashion’s Simphiwe Xulu, Andile Nsele and Sunthra Moodley.
Andile Dube
