BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE – Fresh from a historic partnership between Dala Spaces and MTN Bushfire, two Eswatini stylists have put on a marvellous show for the upcoming Luju Festival.
Eswatini’s fashion industry is ready to not just dip its toes but fully plunge into the world’s fashion scene.
The fashion scene has evolved significantly over the last years and seen many of Eswatini’s fashion design talent already participating on the international stage showcasing their creativity and designs and being applauded by fashion lovers worldwide, the fashion industry is ripe to reach its full potential.
However, a lack of internal patronage stands in the way.
A partnership between Dala Spaces and Luju Festival seeks to turn the tide and catapult local fashion further into the international stage.
Eswatini Fashion Couture and Craft Mastery were witnessed at the Standard Bank Luju Food and Lifestyle Festival launch.
Thanks to stylist Vanessa Gwebu, Nhlanhla Lukhele and Dala Spaces, locals will be treated to a real fashion renaissance at Luju 2023.
Following the theme of African Fashion Folktales, the official stylists referenced tradition and ancestry; A reimagined grass Umhlaba, dramatic hair sculptures, exquisitely cut African print silhouettes and statement accessories.
In celebration of the sophistication and elegance of African vintage style, creative design and delicacies, the Standard Bank Luju Food and Lifestyle Festival 2023 officially launched its 5th Edition on June 30, 2023.
Meanwhile, Dala Spaces Philippa Thorne explained that the long-term vision is to garner support for designers and funding so they have more capital to produce collections as well as create opportunities for them to showcase at more festivals and events this year and potentially in other international spaces. “Our stylists are unafraid to experiment with patterns and colours, the local designers made bold fashion statements in the latest runway show,” she said.
