Creativity, culture and community came together in striking style at the launch of the First Thursdays Series, with Art on the Runway setting the tone for a bold and immersive new creative platform in KuGompo.
Conceptualised, planned and executed by Bru’d & Co, the event marked the beginning of a series aimed at bringing together art, fashion, food, music and culture through curated, multi-sensory experiences at Limani Gallery in Nahoon on Thursday.
Building on the success of its Sip & Paint events, the team sought to create something that extended beyond the canvas, while remaining true to its creative roots.
A standout feature of the evening was a large collaborative canvas where guests were invited to “leave their mark”, transforming attendees from spectators into active participants in the artistic process.
Event organiser Ruhinii Goonarah told the Go! on Wednesday the concept was driven by a desire to create something more meaningful and engaging for the community.
“We noticed a gap for experiences that felt inspiring, elevated and socially engaging, while still supporting local creatives and businesses.
“The idea was to create something that feels like a creative social experience rather than a traditional event,” said Goonarah.
For its inaugural edition, Bru’d & Co partnered with Limani Gallery, transforming the venue into a dynamic creative space that showcased local fashion, visual art and cultural expression in a fresh, interactive way.
Creative director Sibusisiwe Nodada explained that the event was rooted in the gallery’s philosophy that art should not be confined to walls.
“We view fashion as a legitimate art form and wearable art as an extension of artistic expression,” she said.
“Art on the Runway allowed us to demonstrate that art can be seen, worn, performed and lived.”
One of the most captivating elements of the evening was the collaboration with TCM Models — transforming the space into a living gallery.
Models moved through the venue as “living artworks”, showcasing unique fashion pieces, textures and objects, while blurring the lines between visual art and fashion design.
“The primary message was that creativity has no boundaries,” Nodada said.
“We wanted audiences to move beyond simply viewing artworks and instead engage with them emotionally and physically.”
Unlike traditional runway shows or gallery exhibitions, the event was intentionally designed as an immersive creative experience where guests could interact with multiple artistic disciplines in one environment.
Bringing the showcase to life required careful coordination, with creatives and organisers working together to execute a shared vision.
Despite the challenges, the overwhelming response from attendees highlighted a growing appetite for innovative cultural platforms in the city.
“Young creatives have incredible talent, but often lack visibility and opportunity,” Nodada said.
“By creating these platforms, we are investing in the future of the creative sector.”
Looking ahead, Goonarah said the First Thursdays Series was set to evolve across different venues, with each event introducing a unique theme and atmosphere, while continuing to celebrate collaboration across creative industries.
“We would love to explore collaborations across fashion, food, music, wellness and design,” said Goonarah.
As the first instalment of the series, Art on the Runway not only showcased local talent but also signalled the beginning of a new cultural movement — one that reimagines how art is experienced, shared and celebrated.
Bru’d & Co has hinted at future editions, leaving audiences excited for another First Thursdays experience.
