Exotic fashion show headed for Joburg
A taste of the exotic East in Joburg Cross-cultural fusion is the flavour of the moment, and the East Meets West fashion show, to be staged in Johannesburg in December, promises audiences a funky showing of creativity.
Having enjoyed a hugely successful run in Durban earlier this year, the East Meets West fashion show will be presented at the Kyalami Theatre on the Track on 1 and 2 December, 2007.
The shows are being produced by two hot young, KwaZulu-Natal-based professionals, choreographer Shivani Kara and dancer/performer Bhavnesh Narotam. Their organisation, Eastern Moves, is dedicated to sharing the rich and diverse culture of Bollywood with a South African audience, in a bid to foster cross-cultural appreciation and understanding in this increasingly globalised world.
“We want to give Gauteng audiences a fashion show with a difference, combining Eastern, Western and African fashion and entertainment, and featuring hip and happening local designers,” explains Kara.
Exciting young designers Tony Mabaso (Umoya), Sifiso Sabelo and Priya Patel will have the opportunity to showcase their wares on the catwalk, as will Eastern designer Amina Hamid (Memsaab).
Umoya’s urban sensibility fuses African traditions with a modern, funky twist, while up-and-coming designer Sabelo has already made waves with his designs inspired by music, his surroundings and everyday contemporary life.
Patel travelled to India to study the traditional art of mendhi, which involves the application of henna patterns as a temporary form of skin decoration, particularly for special occasions such as weddings.
Hamid is the co – founder and creative director of the Memsaab Couture range, the details in this designers range are meticulous, and she has been the only designer that for two consecutive years showcased Eastern wears at the Durban Fashion Week, she also participated in the East meets West fashion show in Durban earlier this year.
To further enhance the fashion show’s mood of opulence and Eastern grace, Givenchy’s in-house make-up artist, David White, will be adorning the models in shimmering textures and radiant colours.
Three East Meets West fashion shows will take place at the Kyalami Theatre on the Track: the premiere night on 1 December, followed by afternoon and evening performances on 2 December. Corporate tables may be booked for the show on 1 December, with some of the proceeds being donated to charity.
“Eastern trends are catching on worldwide at a rapid rate,” says Narotam, “and to pay tribute to this phenomenon, we’ll be cooking up a spicy spectacle of cross-cultural fashion, dance and entertainment in a high-quality production.”
Sponsors for East Meets West include: i-Talk Cellular, DSTV Multichoice India, Givenchy, Sony Television, PHD and Redken.
