“Now that our local fashion designers have placed the country in the international fashion map, Swaziland is ready for baby steps to hosting a fashion week,” said the organisers.
They further explained that a Fashion Week was literally a whole week of fashion activities which include afternoon and/or evening fashion shows from various show cases.
“It is important that the nation becomes aware of what a fashion week entails well ahead of the main day so that everyone can better market the show within and outside the country, especially to potential sponsors.
"Swazis travelling or residing outside the country will market the idea internationally and interested designers from all over the world apart from the special guests,” the designers said.
...What happens during a Fashion Week
A model casting is held well ahead of the week of the show so that each and every designer is assigned a certain number of models according to the size of the range.
The Monday of the ‘week’ is earmarked for fittings for each designer. The models have to be there physically as they will be fitting the different designs.
The Tuesday is intensive rehearsal for models, choreographers, production teams, propping, programming the music and lighting and all at the venue.
Wednesday to Friday of the week mornings are set aside for dress- rehearsals while afternoons are reserved for the fashion shows.
The Saturday of the ‘week’ is the main day of the event.
This is the day to showcase the best of the week together with international designers, each showcase is represented in this show.
“This will be the grand finale where everyone who showed during the week is present.”
The show is followed by a massive after party which is also a showcase of local talent and all footage from this glorious week will be physically taken back to the participants’ countries as well as to Fashion TV.
“Imagine the mileage afforded for Swaziland.
"This is why the country’s business sector should embrace this venture and take the sponsorship opportunity as well as take part in displaying, launching or selling a product, or simply buying designer wear,” the organisers said.
They further mentioned that student designers would also be afforded the opportunity to showcase. “We will also cater for student designers and most of them specialise in children’s designs, which means also child models will be included.”
The organisers said they are looking at December 10, 11, 12, as the tentative date for the Fashion Week.
They invited interested designers to submit their portfolios plus four high resolution pictures of their designs and make sure that their envelope is sealed and bears their name and contact details.
Deadline for submission is February 15, 2008.
...What’s in it for designers
Designers will be chosen on First Come - First Acceptance Bases.
What's in it for the designers, you may ask.
The designers who make it as best of the week will earn themselves a chance to showcase in subsequent fashion weeks locally and internationally thus obtaining the international status enjoyed so far by only a few local designers.
They may be invited to prestigious shows like:
The Old Mutual Vukani Awards, MTN Durban fashion week, Nokia Cape Town fashion week, and across the oceans where they will promote their labels.
...Why sponsor?
Mileage. The answer is that your company’s name will appear in all promotional materials, all local and international media and since it is the first fashion week, you make history.
Sponsorship opportunities exist for whole sponsorship, part sponsorship for individual showcase, party, production whole or part etc.
