Local Kasi designers being given a boost to compete in the lucrative fashion industry is something Ekasi Fashion Week strives to achieve. Different townships in and around the country are given a platform where they are able to showcase their design skills to the masses.

This platform is created by Monoki Holdings that exhibits some beautiful garments of local fashion houses and independent designers. From African inspired garments to the ones that harness the global trends, nothing is off limits. Models as well as the beauty industry in the Township areas are well marketed; allowing creatives to network with industry leaders.

It all began with Stephen Monoki (who is the founder) identifying a problem and a glitch in the fashion industry. A neighbour of his who is a fashion designer always complained about lack of clients and access to certain markets in order to sustain her business. This caused Monoki to propose a business plan of hosting fashion shows that would give upcoming designers an opportunity to penetrate newer markets. Having done 12 fashion shows thus far, they have acquired fame as being authentic and inclusive.

“At Ekasi Fashion Week we strive to showcase fashion that caters for everyone. Children, adults, women and men of many shapes and sizes. Nothing is off limits and we aim for inclusivity at all times. The youth is given a fair opportunity to work on their talents as well, so providing them with a platform where they are able to do so helps decrease unemployment too.”

The show was initially hosted in Ekurhuleni and has since grown to take on other townships after gaining momentum because of its diversity. Their most talked about edition, Kwa-Thema Fashion Week was explosive and received raving reviews. The entertainment from local artists including Phethego Makanyane, also known as “L-Tech” from the group TLT and personality Shayla was amongst the highlights of the event – not to mention the celebrity guest appearances. With the help of 25 media houses, the most talked about fashion show had people going insane about their most important item of the day, the fashion show done in a world-class entertainment setting.

To help designers grow and make money off of their work, Ekasi Fashion Week also has classes where they teach designers the business in fashion and how to market their clothes. Even though they go the extra mile of giving designers such classes, everything they do is self-funded but are working their way to getting sponsorship.

Staying true to their African Identity, they also got models and designers from some parts of the continent and incorporated the African designs with tenacity. Founder of the platform, Stephen Monoki did an interview with the national broadcaster where he talked about the demand for international brands being higher than that of local brands. “As we are currently in the festive season, many people look to rock the latest international designer brands as opposed to local ones because local is deemed inferior to them,” he adds.

Monoki reckons that bigger brands will always have a higher demand because they have the advantage of Marketing. However, he and many other local fashion houses are working harder to level the standards so they can be on par. Even though they want to stick to their roots of being a fashion organisation that advocates for ‘struggling’ designers, they are working towards being more than just a Kasi fashion show, to take on the global scale.

They can be contacted on WhatsApp: +27 82 315 9872 and via eMail: info@ekasifashionweek.co.za

~ jess@ngcoboempire.co.za