Welcome to ARISE Cape Town Fashion Week 2009
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to this annual celebration of style and fashion in one of the world's most beautiful cities. Cape Town has long been one of most desirable places on the planet to visit, with its natural beauty, good food and wine and vibrant urban youth culture all combining to influence the development of some of the most exciting new fashion on the continent.
Cape Town is also home to many of Africa's most established couturiers and a significant tranche of its fashion media and models. As such, we draw on what the city has to offer us that is unique and innovative to present to you the spring/summer collections for 2009/2010 here in the Mother City.
The balance of old and new is what has made Cape Town a city of stimulating contrasts, with a tradition of craftsmanship and a unique African voice. It is this that we echo in our line up of fashion design talent that we present to you in this three-day festival of fashion, starting with the passion of the new and culminating in the wonder of the established - always ensuring that the balance between the two is just right.
AFI, has worked alongside the Cape Town Fashion Council as they have tirelessly executed a sophisticated curatorship programme designed to ensure that fresh fashion talent is given an opportunity to shine. With funding provided by the Western Cape Provincial Government and industry partners like the Foschini Group, the selection process was based on business readiness and growth potential. I believe that it is this sort of responsibility and direction that will help us ensure that the design quality and innovation that is inherent in the African continent, will find a way to rise to the top and succeed in a competitive international fashion industry.
We are also delighted to be working with our friends at ARISE Magazine again. After our successful collaboration at the inaugural ARISE Africa Fashion Week, the publishers of the world’s first magazine on global African style and culture have once again agreed to support the very best in African achievement and talent.
I hope that, like me, you too are looking forward to the visual feast of pretty summer dresses, dazzling evening gowns, edgy silhouettes and bold design choices that will be on show for us over the next three days here at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. With so much diversity in the programme, we can’t help but expect to be stimulated, excited and driven to new levels of passion for this mercurial industry that is fashion. Because who really knows what could happen here.
With warm regards,
Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe
Chairperson, African Fashion International
Cape Town is also home to many of Africa's most established couturiers and a significant tranche of its fashion media and models. As such, we draw on what the city has to offer us that is unique and innovative to present to you the spring/summer collections for 2009/2010 here in the Mother City.
The balance of old and new is what has made Cape Town a city of stimulating contrasts, with a tradition of craftsmanship and a unique African voice. It is this that we echo in our line up of fashion design talent that we present to you in this three-day festival of fashion, starting with the passion of the new and culminating in the wonder of the established - always ensuring that the balance between the two is just right.
AFI, has worked alongside the Cape Town Fashion Council as they have tirelessly executed a sophisticated curatorship programme designed to ensure that fresh fashion talent is given an opportunity to shine. With funding provided by the Western Cape Provincial Government and industry partners like the Foschini Group, the selection process was based on business readiness and growth potential. I believe that it is this sort of responsibility and direction that will help us ensure that the design quality and innovation that is inherent in the African continent, will find a way to rise to the top and succeed in a competitive international fashion industry.
We are also delighted to be working with our friends at ARISE Magazine again. After our successful collaboration at the inaugural ARISE Africa Fashion Week, the publishers of the world’s first magazine on global African style and culture have once again agreed to support the very best in African achievement and talent.
I hope that, like me, you too are looking forward to the visual feast of pretty summer dresses, dazzling evening gowns, edgy silhouettes and bold design choices that will be on show for us over the next three days here at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. With so much diversity in the programme, we can’t help but expect to be stimulated, excited and driven to new levels of passion for this mercurial industry that is fashion. Because who really knows what could happen here.
With warm regards,
Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe
Chairperson, African Fashion International
Welcome to ARISE Cape Town Fashion Week 2009
ARISE-the world's first magazine on global African style, culture, business and politics—is proud to partner with AFI on ARISE Cape Town Fashion Week 2009.
This is Africa's big moment. The election of U.S. President Barack Obama presents the continent and its fashion talent with a historic opportunity. First Lady Michelle Obama favors young, multicultural designers, making them overnight stars. Fashion houses in New York, London and Milan look to Africa for inspiration.
ARISE and AFI recently successfully presented the ARISE Africa Fashion Week in June 2009. The partnership with African Fashion International (AFI) is a continued celebration of African achievement and an extension of our commitment to recognize and showcase the very best of African creative talent.
ARISE is the acclaimed magazine of African style and culture. ARISE launched in February 2009 and is produced in the United Kingdom and distributed internationally.
Nduka Obaigbena
Chairman and Editor In Chief
ARISE Magazine
This is Africa's big moment. The election of U.S. President Barack Obama presents the continent and its fashion talent with a historic opportunity. First Lady Michelle Obama favors young, multicultural designers, making them overnight stars. Fashion houses in New York, London and Milan look to Africa for inspiration.
ARISE and AFI recently successfully presented the ARISE Africa Fashion Week in June 2009. The partnership with African Fashion International (AFI) is a continued celebration of African achievement and an extension of our commitment to recognize and showcase the very best of African creative talent.
ARISE is the acclaimed magazine of African style and culture. ARISE launched in February 2009 and is produced in the United Kingdom and distributed internationally.
Nduka Obaigbena
Chairman and Editor In Chief
ARISE Magazine
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