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Music, glamour and politics came together at the Fashion and All That Jazz gala dinner held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Thursday night.
Although many of the guests turned heads in their Sophiatown-inspired outfits, Maloti Mothobi and Melville du Plessis were crowned best dressed.
According to the organisers, the aim of the Sophiatown theme was to celebrate South Africa’s “rich cultural tapestry” of yesteryear, which still inspires contemporary designers.
The attendees were treated to a fashion show that featured a variety of ready-to-wear collections, from a kiddies range to swimwear and brands such as Democracy of Denim, Namesake, Blue Collar White Collar, Magents and Naked Wear.
“Tonight we are fusing local fashion and music,” said Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (Sactwu) secretary-general Andè Kriel.
The walls were covered with large photographs of models dressed in designs created by members of Sactwu.
A video montage of struggle icons such as singer Miriam Makeba and former president Nelson Mandela was used as the backdrop of the exhibition.
“We try to give a bit of shine and time in the spotlight to the people who worked hard in the factories,” said Kriel.
Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel referred to Sophiatown as “the District Six of the north”. He said the event told “a great South African story about fashion”.
City Press spotted Minister in the Presidency Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Tourism Minister Derek Hannekom going wild when musicians Elwira Standili, Jarrad Ricketts and Robin Pieters performed live.
