Design Indaba’s Emerging Creatives Class of 2023: Unleashing South Africa’s Innovators
Have you ever stood in front of an artwork or design – mesmerised – and just knew that that, right there, was creativity in its purest form? That the creative behind it would soon be known worldwide? Well, Design Indaba’s Emerging Creatives Class of 2023 was recently announced, and these twenty young South Africans sure prove that when it comes to innovation and creativity, Msanzi’s here to take the world by storm!
340 entrants participated in the Design Indaba Emerging Creatives progamme for 2023 – a programme that is aimed at refining skills and equipping participants with tactics to elevate their work to a higher standard. It also teaches them the skills to promote their work in the marketplace. The programme – supported by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture – has launched numerous talented creatives’ careers over the past eighteen years. This includes fashion designer Thebe Magugu, furniture designer Mpho Vackier, jewellery designer Katherine-Mary Pichulik, designer and illustrator Daniel Ting Chong, milliner Crystal Birch and more.
The curator of this year’s edition of the programme is Neo “Nene” Mahlangu and she says: “It’s an honour to be part of this encouraging process, and it has reinvigorated my own inspiration. I am thrilled to see the calibre of Emerging Creative talent shining in this year’s selection. It’s clear that the future of creativity in our country is in capable hands.”
From photographers, filmmakers and illustrators to fashion designers and artists, Mahlangu hand-picked twenty creatives. She will be presenting a bespoke masterclass on business development to the class of 2023 – a workshop built on the 5 Bs designed to guide the future changemakers on their paths. These Bs cover brilliance, bravery, business skills, branding and brand building.
Among the twenty creatives, we had the opportunity to profile four fashion-forward designers who are already defining the future of the South African fashion industry with their bold approaches. Read our Winter Edition to find out more on Shamyra Moodley, Khumo Morojele, Nokhukhanya Zungu and the sister-duo, Rucita and Viveka Vassen who are all designers set to make the runway shine a little brighter this year.
