Simon Deiner / SDR Photo

Now in its fourth year, AFI Fastrack™ is a national fashion design acceleration platform that aims to nurture and develop South Africa’s young design talent, offering young designers an opportunity to launch their careers through intensive mentorship and achieve future success through business development coaching.

The top 10 finalists of the AFI Fastrack™ programme were Rich Mnisi, Ditiro Mashingo, Ellen Kondowe and Tuelo Ngunyuka from Gauteng; Fabian Ah-Sing, Jessica Ross, Robynn Deedat and Naazeen Kagee from the Western Cape; Benazeer Mulla from Kwa-Zulu Natal; and Ruth Mc Naughton from the Eastern Cape.

“This year’s 10 AFI Fastrack™ finalists are testament to the fact that the design talent coming out of South Africa is of the highest calibre. African Fashion International (AFI) is proud to provide a platform for these young designers to make themselves known and acquire the crucial skills for sustainability in the industry,”  says AFI Spokesperson, Nicholas Maweni.

The young designers were selected based on the excellent presentation, awareness of contemporary design trends, consideration of necessary details and trims, visual appeal, and technical consideration evidenced in their ranges.

Instead of three winners, this year saw four young designers receiving a cash injection of R10 000 into their growing businesses and a career-boosting internship. The winners were Rich Mnisi, Tuelo Nguyuza, Jessica Ross and Naazneen Kagee.

Here’s a recap of the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Joburg (MBFWJ) AFI Fastrack™ showcase at Sandton Convention Centre on 22nd of March, 2014.