ABOUT AFI FASTRACK
AFI FASTRACK is the national graduate fashion platform offered by African Fashion International. The initiative is a developmental platform that offers emerging designers a chance to be exposed to the market through the fashion week vehicle – this is done through the selection of 6 – 12 finalists who showcase at the Joburg Fashion week platform.
The winner is awarded the title of Young designer Of The Year, a sum of money to invest in his or her business and is given growth opportunities through webinars, internships and Mentorships. Each of the finalists is given an opportunity to present a capsule collection at the Joburg Fashion week platform.
The Selection Criteria for participation includes the following – The applicant must be a graduate of a reputable Fashion learning institution in South Africa and or be a qualified Fashion Designer, be a commercial Ready To Wear designer, show an understanding of Trends, Be innovative, Be original
Fastrack 2020
Incubating the next generation of African designers, Fastrack invests in design graduates who are building brands that offer unique perspectives on modern cultural trends. Through year-long internships and mentorships, as well as funding for the creation of capsule collections for Fashion Week, emerging designers are shaped to independently generate financially impactful returns.
AFI FASTRACK ALUMNI
2011 - Thoki Tafeni
Cape Town College of Fashion Design student 'swept the floor' winning both prizes up for grabs on the day. Thoki Tafeni won the Foschini Fast-Track Top Graduate award and secured a 6 month internship at Foschini, as well as AFI's Designer of the Year 2011.
2012 - Kim Gush
That year it was a rare event to see fashion forward men’s wear on the ramp at South African fashion shows. . For African Fashion International Fastrack (AFI) competition winner of 2012, Gush explored her macabre curiosity in primal secrets to produce the winning collection.
2013 - Eleni Labrou of Akedo
AFI Fastrack™ Designer of the Year 2013, Eleni Labrou’s Akedo label was presented as an aesthetic that melded a vivid color palette with simplistic, tailored silhouettes, interpreting African traditions in a contemporary collection that speaks for the South Africa's rainbow nation of cultures.
2014 - Jessica Ross
Jessica Ross was one of three winners of the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Joburg (MBFWJ) AFI Fastrack™ programme in 2014. The winners saw four young designers receiving a cash injection of R10 000 into their growing businesses and a career-boosting internship.
2014 - Naazneen Kagee
Naazneen Kagee was one of three winners of the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Joburg (MBFWJ) AFI Fastrack™ programme in 2014. The winners saw four young designers receiving a cash injection of R10 000 into their growing businesses and a career-boosting internship.
2014 - Tuelo Nguyuza
Tuelo Nguyuza was one of three winners of the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Joburg (MBFWJ) AFI Fastrack™ programme in 2014. The winners saw four young designers receiving a cash injection of R10 000 into their growing businesses and a career-boosting internship.
2014 - Rich Mnisi
Rich Mnisi was one of three winners of the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Joburg (MBFWJ) AFI Fastrack™ programme in 2014. The winners saw four young designers receiving a cash injection of R10 000 into their growing businesses and a career-boosting internship.
2015 - Thebe Magugu
Thebe Magugu’s career was parachuted to the fashion scene after winning the 2015 Africa Fashion International (AFI) Fastrack programme. He has impressed season after season with his wearable and contemporary designs that come in edgy cuts and silhouettes.
2016 - Sibusiso Molete
Sibusiso 'Buda' Malete showcased at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week and won the Fastrack Young Designer of the Year award in 2016, has taken his brand Digital Fabricz to a place where those who like his style can buy it.
2018/2019 - Sindi Mbobo
Sindi Mbobo who was one of the finalists to join the AFI development programme, Fastrack emerged the winner in 2019. Sindi's collection was inspired by the uniforms worn by youths in the 70’s who were enforcing change into South Africa. He was awarded a cash prize of 50, 000 Rand.