A South African Designer Won the 2019 London Fashion Week Top Prize
Thebe Magugu was crowned the winner of the 2019 International Fashion Showcase.
The International Fashion Showcase (IFS) is an exhibition which is the collaborative effort including the British Council, British Fashion Council, London College of Fashion, UAL and Somerset House. Young South African designer Thebe Magugu was termed a 'leader of his generation' by the judging panel after being awarded the top prize.
The IFS featured 16 designers from all over the world including the Netherlands, Rwanda, Brazil, Kenya, India and of course South Africa, among other countries. Magugu showcased a unique presentation where he showed the changes in South Africa's constitution over the decades through using motifs of Africa's past, however, in a contemporary and forward-looking manner.
Speaking on his win on social media, Magugu said:
"Yesterday I won the International Fashion Showcase 2019 in London, and I can't believe I was given the award by my idol Sarah Mower. I am so overwhelmed by emotions and gratitude...Fashion is such a powerful, intelligent medium and I hope we use this tool to our advantage."
This year's IFS aimed at exploring themes of politics, sustainability, identity and heritage.
Another African designer who received a special mention from the judging panel was Cedric Mizero from Rwanda. His presentation, which was described as "universal and deeply human", featured everyday objects found in a Rwandan village and highlighted the issues facing marginalized communities.