Two Rocklands residents have decided to create a platform to bring local designers to Mitchell’s Plain.
Steven Corolus and Angelique Johannes, who work as visual merchandisers and stylists, are hosting the first Mitchell’s Plain Fashion Show on Saturday 5 October.
Corolus said they first attended a show in Khayelitsha and they saw how the community supports each other. “We wanted to start this in our own community so that local designers can showcase their work and learners can model in the show.”
He said it was very important for them to showcase local designers and use people from the community.
The designers come from Mitchell’s Plain, Elsies River, Athlone and Varkensvlei and the learners attend Cedar and Rocklands high schools.
He said it wasn’t difficult to find local designers. He got in touch with them by sending WhatsApp messages to various designer groups.
He said it was also important for them to create this platform because people who have graduated from fashion schools are forced to work in retail following graduation because they don’t have a platform to showcase their work.
Corolus said although it’s difficult to organise the show while maintaining full-time jobs, they remain focused and are excited about producing the show.
He said they also decided to present the show because sometimes children may feel misunderstood when dressing boldly or differently.
“Growing up in the community where dressing differently was not a good thing, we have felt the urge to encourage individuality and expressing our identity through fashion.”
He said he wants to bring fashion to the community and show people they can be bold and stand out. “Our aim for the show is to inspire the youth to be themselves, be unapologetic in who they are and stand out from the crowd; and to help give a platform for local designers and models in our community,” he said.
He added they are using these learners in the show to create a positive impact in the community. “With everything that is happening in the area like gangsterism, we want to keep the learners off the streets and they are excited to be part of the show.”
He said they also decided that they are going to push through for the next fashion show next year.
There will be a special performance by Chelsea Firelily and the emcee will be comedian, Arlene Petersen.
Any donations are welcome including water and food for the models on the day of the show as well as a backdrop.
The fashion show will take place at 12 Duiker Road in Pelican Heights.
