PRESS RELEASE SOUTH AFRICAN EMERGING FASHION DESIGNER, TATENDA SIPULA (26) LAUNCHES "SERITI", HIS NEW FASHION COLLECTION IN PARIS
MAHADIÂ GRANIER: Â KHALALA (LEFT), TATENDA SIPULA: SOUTH AFRICAN FASHION DESIGNER (RIGHT) On the occasion of Africa Day, celebrated on May 25 every year, the African Permanent Delegations to UNESCO at its headquarters in Paris, FRANCE organize an annual Africa week aimed at increasing Africa's visibility by highlighting the tangible and intangible diversity of its cultural and artistic heritage. This is achieved through a series of cultural and festive events including fashion, art exhibitions, film screenings, food tastings and a gala evening. The theme for this year's edition is "Investing in African Youth" and the event will take place from Monday 22nd May to Wednesday 24th May 2017 in Paris.
For the first time in over ten years, UNESCO Africa Week will introduce a Live Art Show, an international platform dedicated to showcasing and promoting refined African fashion designer's aesthetic, creativity and talents to an international audiance. Towards this end, UNESCO subsequently extended an invitation to one of its permanent delegations, South Africa.
"When I first learnt about this opportunity, I contacted the South African Embassy in Paris and offered to help them identify the finest South African young fashion talent that would best represent the country on an international stage" says Mahadi Granier, a Global South African Entrepreneur, Founder and CEO of Paris-headquartered KHALALA, a Level 1, BBBEE, 100% Black Female owned South African registered company that creates international market access for young and emerging African fashion entrepreneurs.
"The Embassy said yes".
After scanning the South African fashion designer landscape in France, Mahadi identified a highly talented young fashion designer, Tatenda Sipula, whom at the age of 13, created his first fashion company. The fashion brand that span over a decade has evolved into a commercial business that not only stands for quality but one that holds its value in timelessness of style.
Tatenda will be launching his new fashion collection "Siriti" on 22 May during UNESCO Africa Week, expected to draw an international audience in excess of 1,000.
"I decided to call my new collection Seriti, which is a word that originates from the Sesotho language. Sesotho is one of South Africa's 11 official languages and Siriti means dignity. The collection will be a demonstration and transformation of how a fabric can be used to give visual meaning that dignifies and embodies the spirit and presence of a young woman", says Tatenda.
"In light of this year's focus on African youth, I deliberately selected fabrics and patterns that honour, embody, dignify and elevate respect for young females" says Tatenda.
Tatenda is currently finishing a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) specializing in Luxury Brand Management at the International Fashion Academy in Paris, France. He also holds a Bachelor of Fashion Design and Marketing obtained from School of Fashion and Arts in Makati Manila in the Philippines. Prior to moving to Paris, Tatenda spent 6 years in Manila practising his craft as a tailor, producing suits that dazzle the eye and feed one's desire to look and feel elegant.
"We all know that Africa is viewed as a cradle of creativity, heritage, vibrancy and is a significant source of inspiration in the fields of art, fashion and design. Tatenda is the best fit for this international market access opportunity. His understanding of quality and craftsmanship coupled with his African heritage and grasp of the international fashion consumption patterns make him a young pioneer in luxury African fashion" says Mahadi.
For media enquiries, contact:
Ms. Mahadi GRANIER Mobile: +33 (0)6 95 58 88 07 Email: mgranier@khalala.com Website: www.khalala.com