SA Fashion Week’s (SAFW) New Talent Search is days away to discovering our country’s most talented future fashion designer.  Established in 1998, this search is an opportunity to secure long-term growth for the designers who enter.

For over two decades, the SA Fashion Week New Talent Search has been revered as South Africa’s most prestigious fashion competition. 

Since its inception, it has launched the careers of many of our country’s most successful designers, some of whom include Black Coffee, David Tlale, MMUSOMAXWELL and more recent, Cindy Mfabe.

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It’s a well-established fact that the most challenging period of a designer’s career is between 5-10 years of the growth of their brand. Faced with a diverse range of challenges, and in the face of a rapidly changing industry, this period is considered ‘make or break’.

The SA Fashion Week New Talent Search seeks to find those designers who have already succeeded in achieving certain criteria, the latter which includes locally-based womenswear businesses who supply a minimum of one store (their own, another or online) and have been in business for ten years or less.  Entering this competition provides both the winner, in addition to the finalists, an integral entry into sought-after contact and relationship-building opportunities with media, buyers and new clients.

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Designers are selected, by a panel of industry-leaders, on their design talent, ability to follow the brief and their capacity to supply more stores in the future.  The prize is valued at over R60 000-00 and includes representation for a year by The Fashion Agent and the amazing opportunity to show at the SAFW SS21 Collections.

The brief for this year is Shaping the future of Sustainable Fashion.  Open to diverse interpretation, the sustainability of fashion’s future is a vital issue that needs addressing to ensure that the planet is protected for future generations.

Lucilla Booyzen, SAFW Founder and CEO, shared that “This is an incredibly exciting brief, providing a platform for creative curiosity and we encourage the entrants to consider all aspects of sustainability and what that means.” 

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She added “There’s no formal definition of sustainable fashion, and sustainability and ethics can apply to many different aspects of a fashion business.  Without doubt, sustainable fashion brands are the future of our industry.”

The brief, process and all entry details can be found on SAFW website.  Registration must take place online before 5pm on the 16 July 2019.  More info HERE

On May 20^th, the Levi’s 501 jean, the original button fly jean, will celebrate its 146th anniversary. Celebrated as ‘501 Day,’ Levi’s is paying homage to the iconic fit for being the ultimate blank canvas for self-expression.

Throughout history, wearers have taken them and added their own twist to their 50 jeans. This year, Levi’s will continue to celebrate that we are all collaborators with special customisation offerings at select Levi’s Tailor Shops, our 501 family of products and events around the world.

LEVI’S TAILOR SHOP LOCATIONS:

• Levi’s Sandton (Shop Number LL2615, Lower Level, Sandton City, Rivonia Rd, Johannesburg, Sandton, 011 784 9187)
• Levi’s Waterfront (Shop 6172, Breakwater Blvd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 021 418 8479)

LEVI’S 501 FAMILY:

The 501 jean has progressed constantly—that’s one of its secrets—keeping the fit fresh and relevant. The current 501 series includes tried-and-true favorites as well as new styles designed through a modern lens while offering an authentic vintage look and feel.

MEN’S & WOMEN’S:

• 501 JOGGER: Levi’s most iconic jeans redesigned with elasticised ankles and waistband for extra comfort and streetwear style. Arriving 1 July.

MEN’S:

• 501 ORIGINAL: The iconic straight fit with the button fly—since 1873. Sits at the waist with a straight leg.
• 501 ORIGINAL CUT-OFF SHORTS: Vintage-inspired with the same iconic fit and button fly that started it all, Levi’s 501 Original Cut-Off Shorts have been a style staple for generations.
• 501 JOGGER: Levi’s most iconic jeans redesigned with elasticised ankles and waistband for extra comfort and streetwear style. In stores from 1 July.

WOMEN’S:

• 501 ORIGINAL CROPPED: The 501 Original, cropped for a fresh look that shows off your shoes.
• 501 HIGH-RISE SHORTS: Sleek fit with a waist-defining high rise.

LOCAL 501® DAY ACTIVATION

To celebrate the anniversary (May 20, 1873) of the original and most iconic blue jean, Levi’s® South Africa will be running the following promotion in all its retail stores: R501 for 501®’s that are valued at up to R1000, 17-20 May.

In addition, the first 150 customers who make a purchase between 17 – 20 May in the Levi’s Sandton or Waterfront stores will receive a set of 6 limited edition 501®Day patches each.

Reliving the 90’s visible running technology boom, Sports brand PUMA is bringing back yet another revolutionary sneaker from the era – the CELL Alien OG.

A design that originally paved the way for futuristic sneakers in the world of running now returns as a renewed street style staple.

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When PUMA innovated the CELL technology, it was the most durable and resilient cushioning
technologies of the day. Launched in 1998, CELL Alien OG was structured for high mileage runs with the CELL bubble packed through the heel for extra cushioning.

When it first debuted, the silhouette was so revolutionary that even aliens were believed to have descended on earth to own a pair.

Today, over 20 years later, the sneakers have touched down with its original CELL cushioning technology, striking colour mix, and super-fresh design. The silhouette remains true to the original colourway for the first launch, with PUMA BLACK-SURF THE WEB-PUMA WHITE and LIME PUNCH on the cell bubble and breathable mesh upper with suede overlays and synthetic leather overlays sits atop an EVA midsole and rubber outsole.

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After relaunching OG colourways in the first pack, modern iterations of iconic silhouette
will continue to drop throughout the year. The CELL Alien OG launched exclusively with Undefeated on April 25th with the local release hitting

Shelflife stores exclusively on 16 May 2019 for R1999.