The art of a col laboration: Sunglass Hut partners with SAFW and introduces New Talent search 2015
Sunglass Hut, the world’s premier eyewear retailer, has partnered with SAFW to discover and celebrate new talent by partnering
with fashion week to present the 2015 SAFW New Talent Search. The competition which identifies and celebrates SA’s hottest
talent opens this month for new and emerging designers.
In keeping with Sunglass Hut’s global partnership with fashion week (the brand is the principal sponsor for London Fashion Week
for the next three years and their presence at other local fashion events) this partnership is the elevation of the brands
association in the South Africa.
The talent search open to designers who have not been in business for more than seven years and created by industry veteran
Lucilla Booyzen of SA Fashion Week offers SA’s new talent the opportunity to showcase their craft at SAFW and learn the tools to
turn this artisan skills into a successful business.
“If there’s one fashion trend in 2015, like a good cronut, consumers look for the perfect blend of two longtime favourites and our
partnership with SAFW is testament to a great fashion collaboration. The New Talent search currently in its eighteenth year is the
only competition of its kind in the South African industry and is the perfect springboard to launch SA designers into the local
creative fashion industry. As a global fashion retailer we are excited to be part of the 2015 re-‐imagined edition. We are adding
our international fashion flair by offering the winner the chance to visit London Fashion Week on an all expenses curated fashion
week experience which includes visiting key fashion shows and meeting with international designers,” comments Earl Kopeledi,
Marketing Manager, Sunglass Hut SA
“Many of South Africa’s most talented designers have been nurtured, identified through the New Talent search including David
Tlale, Cleo Droomer and Tiaan Nagel. The challenge for designers this year is Individualism -‐ a growing mega trend – identified by
authors Georg Vielmetter & Yvonne Sell in their book Leadership 2030, and we would like to find someone that can lead the
fashion pack, not follow it. It is time to show us, not only a new point of view, but also a very individual point of view. As with last
year’s competition, we are looking for a very strong but also unique handwriting. While we like “bold”, we aren’t simply looking
for theatre, but a contemporary wardrobe that appeals to a modern woman’s lifestyle. Trend and industry expert Dion Chang will
convene the search again this year as we set out to uncover the next great South African designer.”, said Lucilla Booyzen, Head of
SAFW
• Representation by The Fashion Agent for 1 year valued at R 11, 400.00
• The winner will get the opportunity to show a satellite Collection as part of a 4 designer package at the SA Fashion
Week (SAFW) Spring/Summer 2016 season – 6 months after the SAFW New Talent Search to the value of R 12, 500.00
• All finalists will be granted access to the Buyers Lounge – Autumn/Winter 2016 (24 & 26 October 2015) – not to sell but
to engage with buyers and conduct market research for their own brands during the two days to the value of R 3,
420.00
• The winner will receive once free stand at the SAFW Pop Up Shop 2016 in Brooklyn Mall to the value of R 6, 000.00e
2015 prize includes:
• And a trip to the Sunglass Hut London Fashion Week in February 2016 valued at R50 000. Sunglass Hut will provide the
winner with: one return ticket, accommodation, transfers, show tickets and exhibition.
For more information on how to enter: http://www.safashionweek.co.za/?cat=151 . For the latest news on Sunglass Hut’s fashion week takeover and style content visit: www.innercirclesunglasshut.co.za . Follow Sunglass Hut on Twitter using @sunglasshutsa or #sunglasshutxsafw