By Motlagae Konyana
Threads Stitched by Standard Bank, is a 12-week accelerator programme designed to develop fashion entrepreneurs around South Africa. The programme promises equip the entrepreneuers with skills such as lean production to ensure that their buisnesses are successful and profitable. It is open to fashion entrepreneurs with an existing business operating in South Africa and focuses on the business operations of fashion enterprise.
As part of the programme, we joined the enterprenuers on the different field trips where all 12 candidates are taken to a key region of South Africa to help them find “Proudly South African” inspiration.
Here are the 12 enterprenuersparticipating in the Threads Stitched by Standard Bank programme:
The Cape Town Finalists
2BOP
Anthony Smith
2Bop is strongly connected to the Corner Store in Cape Town and Premium MFG & Co, a South African manufacturing company and stands for streetwear culture. 2Bop draws inspiration primarily from games that were popular in South Africa at corner shops and arcades in the1980’s and early 1990’s when gameplay was key and graphics if they were good were an added bonus.
Thabo Makhetha
Thabo Makhetha
Thabo Makhetha is a luxury women swear label, the label established in 2009. Thabo Makhetha is well known for their signature ready-to-wear range of capes inspired and made from traditional Basotho blankets, known as Kobo Ea Bohali .
Chimpel
Majda Rabin
Chimpel is a fashion design house focusing on exotic leather accessories with exquisite details. Utilising a team of talented local artisans and craftsmen, Chimpel is a hundred percent handmade in South Africa.
The Johannesburg Finalists
MAMAGASEHOME
Junior Mmotla
Mamagasehome is a Johannesburg based brand. “MA”, is a fusion of streetwear and high-end women and
Menswear fashion “MA” was established in 2015 the brand was established to reinvent the denim and streetwear.
La Manche Clothing
Tshego Manche
La Manche is a premium fashion brand that creates and produces garments and accessories with contemporary design aesthetics. La Manche also offers a wide range of imported items, merging local and international fashion
Tshepo The Jean Maker
Tshepo Mohlala
Premium Jeans lifestyle is a denim brand from Johannesburg. The brand is dedicated to careful craftsmanship and a refined finish and it was established in 2015. The brand focuses on traditional functional 5-pockets jeans with a touch of modern- ism. Our cuts are different and practical for modern men and women.
The Durban Finalists
Haya Collective
Sabiha Badsha
Haya Collective is a contemporary modest wear brand. The brand offers a range of limited edition styles for a limited time only. The aim is to keep Haya Collective items exclusive and offer its customers unique styles.
JSE Couture Pty
Jacqueline Munsami
JSE Couture is a fashion company with three lines: Jacqui Emmanuel Couture, Jacqui Emmanuel Pret-à- Porter and Emmanuel Sportsluxe. They use unique prints, laser cuts, embroideries, and embossing.
Hannah Grace Maternity
Lyndall Moodley
Hannah Grace Maternity is inspired by the needs of expecting and nursing mothers. It aims at providing mothers with the most fashion-forward, comfortable and versatile clothing to be worn in and out of pregnancy
The Port Elizabeth Finalists
WIC Designs
Evans Zemba
WIC Designs stands for Walk-In Closet and is a Port Elisabeth based men’s and women’s fashion leisurewear house. The brand gives customers the opportunity to customise and personalise each garment to best suit their needs and wants.
Refined Revolt
Yamkela Lize
Refined Revolt is an Eastern Cape-based textile studio that produces high-end bags and clothes. The brand takes great pride in the quality and originality of the styles that are all produced in-house
Malstones
Asanda Mali
Mal’stones by Asanda Mali is a Port Elizabeth-based brand that stands for body positivity, just like its founder. Mal’stones specialises in plus-size womenswear.