New faces set to model new-look Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Joburg SS 2016

Models from all over Africa have competed for the privilege of walking the runway at the very first Spring/Summer collection for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Joburg 2016. Organised and curated by African Fashion International (AFI), this highly anticipated event is taking place at Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton City, on the 10^th-13^th August 2016.

“There were over 600 models at both castings and from these we will pick just over 100 models for the show,” says Jan Malan, co-host of the model casting. “Each model will be reviewed and chosen with the designers in mind and the final selection will be a mix of fresh, young talent and legends of the runway.”

The carefully selected models will be walking the inaugural Spring/Summer collection for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Joburg 2016. AFI’s decision to realign their fashion calendar and introduce a Spring/Summer show in Johannesburg in August, is a strategic one. The aim is twofold: to boost retail activity whilst also providing the designers with the opportunity to coordinate their collections to match South African cycles in retail and climate.

In a fitting choice of venue, the country’s premier fashion event will take place at the iconic Nelson Mandela Square at Sandton City. Sandton is South Africa’s key fashion, business and entertainment hub, while Sandton City is regarded as the country’s leading fashion retail space.

“The turnout has been really great and we have lots of new faces, which is exactly what we are looking for,” says Andiswa Manxiwa, co-host of the model casting. “It’s exciting for these young models as it’s their chance to show us what they’re capable of. This could be the show that launches their international career, while established models get to add this fashion spectacular to their portfolios.”