SA Fashion Week Competitions - Scouting Menswear
The Scouting Menswear Competition has consistently identified and spotlighted the top talents in this area since its inception in 2012. It has also raised the general profile of menswear design, which has grown exponentially as a category in South Africa and internationally.
The 2021 design brief was to Redo Fashion in South Africa. Designers were challenged to develop menswear using 100% textile ‘waste’ that would appeal to contemporary lovers of alternative design whilst also demonstrating respect for technical innovation and sustainable fashion circularity.
Judging criteria included a strong sense of unique cultural reference, exceptional creativity and innovation and demonstrable evidence of adhering to Circular Design strategies that could extend a garment’s lifecycle including designing for low waste, low-impact materials, and processes as well as for longevity and recyclability.
Permissible textiles included textile swatches, end-of-rolls, or damaged textiles as well as unsold or second-hand clothing.
The Brief for AW23 was From Sport to Street:
Designers had to design a capsule collection of seven garments, fusing their inspiration with any sport, and translating it to an every-day luxury trend-setting collection. They had to use 100% compostable fabrics and components within the collection.
The Designers had to submit:
A mood board with written and picture references which show where their Sport to Street inspiration came from
Pictures of the starting point of each of their designs, showing where the inspiration came from and how it adheres to one or more of the four circular design strategies (below) to improve the garment’s lifecycle and enable circularity:
o Design for Low Waste
o Design for Low-impact Materials and Processes
o Design for Longevity
o Design for Recyclability
Use garment construction and develop their own print to reflect their culture and enforce their design identity.
Discuss opportunities for reproducibility, marketability and longevity.
The winner will be announced at the SA Fashion Week’s Scouting Menswear Show on the 22nd October.
