Loice Dube Crowned AFI Fastrack Young Designer of the Year 2023!
Johannesburg, South Africa – (21 June 2024): Africa Fashion International (AFI) announced Loice Dube of the fashion brand Lo'Ice as the recipient of the AFI Fastrack Prize Young Designer of the Year 2023 at an event held at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
The winner receives a prize package valued at R150,000, including mentorship at the AFI Privé Atelier.
Loice Dube of LO’ICE, winner of the AFI Fastrack Prize Young Designer of the Year 2023.
Other designers recognised at the event for Craftsmanship and Creativity & Innovation are Thandazani Nofingxana of ABANTU and Kgotsofalo Monyamate of Articles From Mars, respectively.
A distinguished panel of judges, including Khothatso Tsotetsi, Felipe Mazibuko and Aspasia Karras, confirmed that selecting a single winner was challenging due to the high calibre of the finalists.
Reigning Miss South Africa, Natasha Joubert, attended the event and presented the for Craftsmanship and the Creativity & Innovation awards.
Winner of the AFI Fastrack Prize Craftsmanship Award, Thandazani Nofingxana of ABANTU with Miss South Africa 2023, Natasha Joubert and AFI Founder and Executive Chair, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe.
Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, Founder and Executive Chair of AFI, stated: "I am thrilled for the winner, special prize recipients, and all finalists – their talent and creativity are truly exceptional. I extend my gratitude to the judges for their expertise and valuable contributions to the AFI Fastrack Prize."
Giacomo Tomassi, AFI’s COO added: "As AFI evolves from a fashion event company into a leading African fashion entity, we are immensely proud of the remarkable talent showcased by the AFI Fastrack Prize finalists. We eagerly anticipate welcoming the winner to our newly established AFI Privé Atelier, where they will be immersed in our dedication to quality, excellence, and celebrating Made in Africa fashion."
Winner of the AFI Fastrack Prize Creativity & Innovation Award, Kgotsofalo Given Monyamate of ARTICLES FROM MARS with Miss South Africa 2023, Natasha Joubert and AFI Founder and Executive Chair, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe.
The seven AFI Fastrack Prize finalists, selected from a competitive pool of 233 applicants, participated in an intensive 12-month fashion incubator programme.
Fastrack provided invaluable guidance in areas such as mentoring, brand positioning, executive training in business management, networking opportunities, and crucial market exposure.
Pre-orders for the collections from the AFI Fastrack finalists are now open. These exclusive collections will be available at House of Nala, AFI's luxury retail store located in Sandton City (Shop U47A, Upper Shopping Level, Sandton City).