There's something in the air and it smells like... spring? Well, that too, but it's more like the heady mingling of perfume (Chanel), hairspray and champagne that comes with the annual dose of global fashion fever this time of the year. And I'm not even talking about London, Milan, Paris, New York...

Right here in South Africa, as we rub the sleep from our eyes post winter hibernation and contemplate chucking out our pointy boots in favour of toeless strappy sandals and baring our pale shoulders to the African elements, the fever is rousing fashionista sisters from south to north...

Seen at the SAFW launch: (L to R) Terrence Clayton Bray; Karen Monk-Klijnstra; Sara Callow; Sharon Becker
September is when the country's fashion talent, both established and young designers, get to take a bow at South African Fashion Week, the country's icon fashion event, now in its sixth year.

Experience and purchase pre-season brand new creations from...

From Gauteng:
  • Stoned Cherrie
  • Black Coffee
  • Rip Torn
  • Strangelove
  • Marique Yssel
  • Row-G
  • Marion & Lindie
  • Pierre du Plessis
  • Norman of The Boys
  • Clive Rundle
  • Paul Munroe
  • Sun Godd'ess
  • Sister Bucks
  • Bongiwe Walaza
  • Koketso
  • Ephymol
  • DM
  • Damat & Tween

    From Cape Town:

  • David West
  • Hip Hop
  • X & O
  • Bombshell
  • Icuba
  • Malcom Kluk
  • Thomas Red
  • Shakur Olla
  • Genetix
  • Carducci's C Squared

    From KZN:

  • Terrence Bray
  • Karin Monk- Klijnstra
  • Experience from Issues
  • Darkie
  • Ruff Tung
  • Amanda Laird Cherry
  • Colleen Eitzen
    • This event, which takes place in Johannesburg from September 10-15 at the Sandton Convention Centre, like the fashion week phenomenon in other global fashion centres (you know, London, Paris...), provides the definitive strategic showcase of South African fashion talent. More importantly, it unites the local fashion community, nationwide, and equips South Africa with the means to launch to the local trade and consumer market and present global fashion with a powerful, multi-cultural front and export platform.

    Seen at the SAFW launch: Elle editor Nadine Rubin and designer Clive Rundle
    On the less serious side, it offers local fashionistas a tangible glimpse onto the catwalks of SA and the world, allowing them to enjoy exclusive pre-season designer purchases, fashion and hair shows and daily makeovers, while swigging imported bubbly and rubbing shoulders with all the other beautiful people. Indeed, it's one of the social and entertainment highlights of the Johannesburg spring/summer season.

    South African Fashion Week presents a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience and buy top South African fashion designers' items, pre-season and fresh off the runway. The theme for this year's event ? the largest yet ? is "Clothe your body as you would your soul", and will showcase over 50 of our country's most celebrated fashion designers as well as leading manufacturers.

    Also seen: Sonia Nieuwoudt; Palesa Mokubung; Thabani Mavundla - all from Stoned Cherrie
    Gautengers would be wise therefore, to diarise Friday, September 13 to Sunday, September 15, when SAFashionWeek officially opens to the public.

    The first three days of SAFashionWeek ? Tuesday, September 10, Wednesday, September 11, and Thursday, September 12 ? are dedicated to the fashion industry trade. A limited allocation of tickets to the designer shows, traditionally for invited audiences only, will be available to the public.

    Twenty fashion shows on the hour, every hour until 22h00 will be held, showcasing the full spectrum of our nation's top designers and manufacturers, from couture to street cred brands, day to nightwear, spring/summer 02/03 to winter 2003. Click here for the full SAFW Shows Schedule.

    The designer shows aside, nearly 50 exhibitors will showcase their products and services on 80 show stands at Sandton Convention Centre from September 10-15.

    Significantly, and for the first time, agents and buyers from the USA, UK, Germany and France will be there, as will buyers from all the major local chains. Also present will be key international consumer publications such as Wallpaper, Spruce, Fashion (Italy) and FLAUNT (NYC), as well as leading freelance fashion journalists reporting for fashion publications across Europe, USA and the East. Specially produced content will also be provided to Fashion TV, the Paris-based DSTV channel, for worldwide broadcast.

    The event will also offer high awareness for its sponsors. Plascon is launching their new colour book; Woolite will be introducing new products; Twincare, incorporating Paul Mitchell hair care and Matis Makeup will be behind the hair shows. Other sponsors include Sandton Convention Centre, the home of SAFW, Sunair, Moet & Chandon, AEG, Glass SA, Franz Grabe Flower Couture, Apple, Sandton City and Southern Sun.

    Log on to www.safashionweek.co.za for more information, as well as for live coverage of the shows via webcam.

    SA FASHION WEEK - SEPTEMBER 10-15 - SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE

  • Entrance fee: R40
  • Tickets are available through www.safashionweek.co.za or www.computicket.co.za
  • Time: Doors open at 10h00 until 21h00 weekdays, and until 18h00 on Sunday.
  • Journey through Jozi... The public entrance fee of R40 includes an exciting added value service for SAFW guests from September 13-15. Journeys into Jo'burg's heart - the inner city - in exclusive 'Jo'burg' double decker bus shuttles will run to and from Sandton Convention Centre. Schedules will be available on site at the Info Desk and in the press.