12th YEAR OF PRESTIGIOUS FASHION COMPETITION PAYS HOMAGE TO JUNE 16th. The annual OLD MUTUAL VUKANI! FASHION AWARDS is back to celebrate its 12th year with a glamorous three-day fashion extravaganza. The project, hosted by SAFDA in partnership with Old Mutual Properties, will be held at Menlyn Shopping Mall and Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown from the 18th-20th May 2006. It boasts a prestigious guest list including media, high-profile corporate executives, government officials, celebrities and advertising representatives, and has had entrants and participants from as far afield as Ethiopia, Cameroon and the Ivory Coast. The fashion spectacular, which targets emerging, gifted designers that have the artistic ability to incorporate the spirit of our African cultures, histories and traditions into a modern wardrobe, is aimed at providing them with a platform to showcase their creations and talents. It also hosts seminars, forums and workshops during the expo, which cover everything from the clothing and textile industry, to accessing finance for SMMEs. This year, the traditional OLD MUTUAL AFRICAN PRIDE DINNER which forms part of the programme, will be held at Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown on the May 18th. Every year, this gala event awards the highly esteemed OLD MUTUAL AFRICAN PRIDE AWARD to an individual that epitomizes African excellence. It has honoured luminaries including former President Nelson Mandela, Miriam Makeba, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Bubbles Mpondo, and Stella Obesanjo in the past. Last year, it recognized and honoured Brigalia Bam for her dedication to improving the rights of women across the African continent. The project will culminate in the star-studded OLD MUTUAL VUKANI! FASHION AWARDS ceremony on May 20th in Menlyn, followed by an exclusive after-party. In true VUKANI! fashion of amazing stage productions and sophisticated creations, the twelve finalists will unveil their artistic interpretation of the political events of 1976, working around this year’s “Evolution 76” theme. Their designs will capture the moods and emotions of that era, reflecting the energy and militancy of the youth at that time, and the finalists will be battling it out for Best Overall Collection, Most Innovative Design and High Fashion. FOR
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