Award-winning local rapper AKA, real name Kiernan Jared Forbes, got his fashion game on in designer camo gear for the official opening party of the South African Fashion Week (SAFW) on Wednesday 23 October.
Joining the award-winning rapper at the buzzing Cruz Vodka party, were TV presenter and DJ Lerato Kganyago, rapper Nadia Nakai, actress Anele Zondo, Gomora actress Siphesihle Ndaba, Yaya Mavundla, House of Zwide actress Nefisa Mkhabela, as well as the cast of the YouTube reality series Birth of Stars.
SAFW: Catwalk rundown
The first SAFW runway shows will hit the catwalk on Thursday evening (20 October) at the Mall of Africa in Midrand, Johannesburg, where Cherry and Rubicon will debut their autumn/winter 2023 collections.
The second day of SAFW tomorrow will see new collections by Black Coffee, Munkus, Ntando XV, Erre and Essie Apparel by Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa.
The closing day of SAFW on Saturday will include shows by MaXhosa Africa, Ephymol and Loxion Kulca.
AKA ‘goes commando’
One Twitter fan, who commented on AKA’s “Let’s parrrrrrty” post, reckons AKA is the best-dressed rapper in the country followed by Da-Les.
AKA, whose joint track with Nasty C, Lemons (Lemonade) was released at the end of September, shaded himself against the celeb glare in his customary “hip-to-be-square” sunglasses.
He looked dapper in a khaki puffer jacket and true to his love of colourful patterns, he paired it with a pair of swirly camo print pants. Looking sharp there, Megacy!
AKA’s girlfriend and rapper Nadia Nakai embraced the latest global pyjama fashion trend. She added some dazzle to her silky royal purple pjs with jarmies with see-through purple sling-back heels adorned with diamante detail.
Rapper Nadia Nakai on the SA Fashion Week red carpet.Image: Supplied
At last year’s SAFW opening party, AKA dressed to impress in a canary yellow-and-black print suit by the House of Ole and wearing his sunglasses, of course!
Celeb fashionista file
Transgender activist, fashion entrepreneur and reality TV star Yaya Mavundla cut a striking figure at the SAFW opening party in a cherise pink vintage David Tlale creation.
Actress, model and media personality Anele Zondo was a picture of funky elegance in her raw silk palazzo pants and strapless bikini boob tube. She paired this with a matching soft-flowing chiffon coat, feathery pill-box handbag and square sunglasses.
‘House of Zwide’ star Nefisa Mkhabela. Image: Supplied
Gomora actress Siphesihle Ndaba dazzled in a minimalist white creation by in designs by Thebe Magugu and Rich Mnisi.
‘Gomora’ actress Siphesihle Ndaba on the SA Fashion Week red carpet. Image: Supplied
41 years of SAFW
According to SAFW director, Lucilla Booyzen, this year marks 41 seasons since the inception of SAFW in 1997.
“We remain committed to the business of fashion, of marketing and supporting our designer entrepreneurs, creatively and commercially, and most importantly, to provide a platform which gives the visibility required to access the local, and global, fashion industry.
On the SAFW website Booyzen is quoted as saying that many of the distinctive tropes that have emerged within the local fashion culture — a fascination with re-imagining our unique cultural references in a modern way, a commitment to slow and sustainable fashion, gender and body inclusivity — are increasingly coalescing into a vibrant ethos with immense marketability.
Get more information on the SAFW programme,
