Wardrobe call for SABC 3’s “Fab Five”

Celebrating excellence, being spirited and trailblazing are the dynamic values behind the revived SABC 3 brand strategy. In taking these values beyond the page and into real “touch, taste and feel” life experience, SABC 3’s “Fab Five” continuity presenters are being dressed by hot young designers who are blazing a new trail in the South African fashion industry.

This joint social investment initiative with African Fashion International (AFI) will see young designers from previously disadvantaged backgrounds showcase their original designs to some seven million viewers. AFI Chairperson Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe calls it “a tribute to the high quality of design talent in South Africa,” while SABC 3 Communications Manager Gesh Conco promises viewers a visual treat: “This partnership is a golden opportunity for our brightest young design trailblazers and our viewers are in for a visual treat.”

The first young designers to make their TV debut are: Craig Jacobs (Fundudzi), Machere Pooe (Machere), Ottimo, DM Classic and Thula Sindi.

SABC 3’s communications team organised their first official photo shoot where the young designers dressed celebrity presenters Zinzi Zungu, Thuli Zulu, Liezel van der Westhuizen, Dennis Tau and Jason Greer for the first time. “The opportunity to be involved with dressing the SABC 3 presenters has been a fantastic one,” says Craig Jacobs, Creative Director of Fundudzi. “Working with that effervescent bundle of energy, Zinzi, on the shoot made it a whole lot of fun too.” Zinzi is dressed in Jacobs’ dramatic black couture piece studded with Swarovski crystals.

Thuli Zulu slipped into an original Machere design and says she will definitely be wearing the talented designer’s clothes on as well as off the set. “Her garments are not only flattering but she uses very unusual and unique materials. She also understands the different body shapes and makes clothes with me in mind. I absolutely love and respect her.” Jason Greer was also suitably impressed, saying that Mathatha did a fantastic job. Dennis Tau wears a suave Ottimo design and Liezel van der Westhuizen turns heads in another classic Thula Sindi design.

Unearthing and exposing new talent is AFI’s aim, “We hope that by giving a national broadcast platform to these incredible budding designers we can increase awareness of their garments and, in so doing, build their brands and businesses,” says Moloi-Motsepe.
The fashion newcomers and the “Fab Five” are set to make their appearance yet again, this time on the catwalk at Joburg Fashion Week (23 – 26 July) and Cape Town Fashion Week (13 – 16 August). Tickets for these events are available at Computicket.

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