10 WSU FASHION STUDENTS TO UNDERGO A 10 DAY MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME

5DAD4FAC.STUDDOM1.STUDPO1.200.200007A.1.700B.145 5DAD4FAC.STUDDOM1.STUDPO1.100.176666A.1.A00.11 7.STUDDOM1.STUDPO1.100.0.1.0 300x226Ten Walter Sisulu University (WSU) Fashion students have been selected to undergo a 10- day mentorship programme with Palesa Mokubung, founder of the acclaimed fashion label Mantsho, in Johannesburg.

These young designers were selected among 100 designers from the Eastern Cape; they submitted their creative portfolios and formally judged before being announced as beneficiaries.

Second year Fashion Student, Wendy Nortey is content that the mentorship will be eye opening to them.

“The exposure into the industry will positively impact us. I am pretty sure we will learn new things that will change our perceptions about the industry,” said Wendy.

WSU Fashion lecturer, Archibald Monyepao said the programme will be very helpful in integrating what is taught in class to what the industry requires.

“To me, it is to understand what the industry does compared to what the academic is doing. The processes we follow are totally different to what the industry is requiring from us. We want to align what we teach to what the industry requires, so that when we revisit the curriculum we know the recent techniques that the industry requires,” said Archibald.

On the iAfrica website, Palesa, the first African designer to collaborate with international retail giant H&M said anytime there is an opportunity to impart knowledge to young designers; she jumps at it because she knows how challenging the industry is and having someone to hold a hand can make a whole lot of difference.

She added that the mentorship programme is an initiative that every province should consider; it is very important for young designers to showcase their work as often as possible because it prepares them for the industry at large.

The 10 young designers will gain knowledge on the business of fashion and produce garments to be showcased at the distinctly Afrocentric 4th annual Buyel’ekhaya Fashion Show to be held on 13 December at the Hemingways mall, East London.

By Mawande Mute