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LOCAL DESIGNERS FOR LONDON FASHION WEEK

31/07/2015 07:20:00 BY GCINA DLAMINI

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MBABANE – Local clothing label ‘Lihiya’ designers have hit a jackpot to market their designs abroad, after getting an invite to showcase during the annual Africa Fashion Week London next week Friday at Olympia, London.

Lihiya Clothing Label designer’s Tivamile and Dumile Dlamini will leave the country next week as they will be heading for one of the biggest fashion shows in the world.
According to one of the designers Dumile Dlamini, who is the older sister to Tivamile, they started designing in 2008 as she worked for Taxray and from there magic has been happening for them as they look at promoting African inspired outfits internationally.

“Tivamile is a BA and international masters in business holder, while I studied BA in industrial business management and I also hold a masters in product design.”
She also highlighted that they heard about the London fashion showcase through a friend who owns an online fashion boutique and sent their portfolios and business vision to the organisers.
“We received the good news a month later and I couldn’t believe that we will be participating in one of the best fashion shows in the world.”

The local designers will be partnering with a Taiwanese shoes designer trending with a brand dubbed ‘Hsui’ for the fashion show, hence they will leave the kingdom next week Monday for Taipei and will then head for London on Wednesday to prepare for the big day.

“We will be showcasing a collection of 10 pieces all inspired by the local heritage, with a bit of our lifestyles,” Dumile said.
The name of the collection is ‘Blend’ and it is their third collection since they introduced themselves to the fashion industry.

She added that they were expecting not only to meet buyers and potential clients but also to expand into the European and African market.
The trip to London will be catered for by the designer’s start-up capital, as they are looking at promoting their brand internationally through this show.

Having showcased over 300 designers since its inception in 2011, the African Fashion Week London is a celebration of African and American-inspired designs and aims to highlight established and up-and-coming designers who are at the forefront of trend.