London, Milan, New York, Paris... Cape Town!

As the concept of 'responsible garments' evolves into an international fashion edict, conveners have fittingly launched an environmentally friendly design competition for students whereby collections will be judged according to their eco-sensitivity by leading lights in the fashion trade. The victor will win a coveted three-week, all expenses paid, tailor-made design course at the Danish Design School in Copenhagen.

"The eco-friendly design competition is the perfect opportunity for South Africa to pioneer a marriage between fashion and ecology and, create a proven example that it can indeed be done successfully. Green is most definitely the new black – you heard it here first," whispers Gavin Rajah, Cape Town Fashion Week convener.

The local line-up includes names such as Malcolm Kluk, Hip Hop, Christiaan Gabriel du Toit, Paul van Zyl and Tommy Hilfiger (USA), as well as emerging, fresh talent. International names are being kept under wraps for now by the conveners, who have promised to confirm names at a media launch taking place on 24 June.

With the confirmed attendance of numerous international buyers, the premier fashion event has also attracted interest as far afield as mid-Africa this year and will feature shows by guest designers from both Namibia and Nigeria.

Continues Rajah: "The term African Renaissance might have been coined in the nineties, but it is only now beginning to bear visible fruit in South Africa. Not only are we commemorating 10 Years of Democracy, we are also basking in the global media spotlight through landmark triumphs such as Charlize Theron's Oscar and the Soccer World Cup 2010 bid. This has undoubtedly had a positive domino effect on almost all industry sectors, including fashion."

Conveners of the show have made the event more accessible to the general public by incorporating an additional 200 seats per show. Fashion Week visitors can also benefit from the introduction of the international fashion sale, an event, which has been run successfully at Gallagher Estate, Gauteng, now also being offered for the duration of the week. Visitors to this will enjoy a myriad of designer labels and major retail brands for vastly discounted prices.

Sponsors include: South African Airways; City of Cape Town; Proudly South African; M?A?C; and Nederburg.
 
For further general information, visit www.capetownfashionweek.com.