Doors open for fashion designers

Enthusiastic up-and-coming fashion designers in the Eastern Cape have until tomorrow to enter the Buyel’Ekhaya Fashion Development Programme.

AMAZING OPPORTUNITY: Fashion guru David Tlale addresses aspiring fashion designers in last year’s Buyel’ Ekhaya workshop Picture: SUPPLIED

Now in its second year, the programme – which aims to develop Eastern Cape-born artists – is looking for eight finalists, who will get a chance to work with some of the household names in the fashion industry.

Last year’s winners are currently interns of popular fashion designers Thula Sindi and David Tlale.

Programme manager Phoebe Phokonpe said the programme had been well received last year.

“Through this programme, Buyel’Ekhaya ensures that the participants and overall winners are exposed to various aspects of the fashion business including, but not limited to, establishing a brand as well as manufacturing and registering a business,” Phokonpe said.

One of last year’s finalists – Phindile Makupula, 31 – landed an internship with Sindi.

“The internship was an amazing experience and I learnt a lot,” she told the Daily Dispatch yesterday.

Makupula is now based in Johannesburg and was a designer for the East London Fashion Week and Berlin November last year.

“I am now trying to make a name for myself in the industry,” she said.

To be eligible for the programme, aspiring designers must have a qualification in fashion design from, or be studying towards one with, an accredited institution; be between 18 and 35 years old and be permanent Eastern Cape residents.

They should also have three completed design sketches and be available to attend a workshop on October 23 in East London.

The hopefuls should also be prepared to travel to Johannesburg from November 6 to 15, and then be able to be back in East London for workshops between December 13 and 15.

To participate in the programme, visit www.buyelekhaya.co.za before 2pm tomorrow.

Those who make the cut and receive internships will be announced at the Buyel’Ekhaya fashion show at Orient Theatre on December 15. — zikhonam@dispatch.co.za

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