Refiloe Mocwa is one of the many success stories of the FSFW. Mocwa is now a well-known designer who used the FSFW platform to launch her thriving brand who now dresses the likes of Basetsane Kumalo.

Mocwa attended the 4-day fashion event in Turkey after debuting at the Free State Fashion Week back in 2017. She is now returning for a showcase and masterclass alongside the well-known South African designer, who hails from Bloemfontein, Gert-Johan Coetzee, as well as Palesa Mokubung, the first African designer to collaborate with the Swedish fashion company, H&M, to create a collection.

Thabiso Leeuw, who also hails from Bloemfontein and now runs a successful design company, also made his debut at the Free State Fashion week. Leeuw started his journey at the age of 9. He won the best CEO award at the Free State Fashion week in 2019 and thereafter got scouted to showcase at the Fashion Week in New York in 2019.

Leeuw said that after showcasing at FSFW and in New York, his talent got recognised and he gained more clientele. “I remember also receiving recognition from African Fashion International, but due to Covid, I could not showcase,” he said.

Leeuw now designs for prominent people around South Africa and is big in demand for matric farewells in and around Bloemfontein.

Gert-Johan Coetzee specialises in couture red carpet gowns, he also designs a ready-to-wear range. Coetzee is known for dressing South African and international celebrities at red-carpet events and he will be hosting a masterclass from the city he grew up in, Bloemfontein. He will be returning to show Free State designers that even a small town produces the biggest names.

The masterclass will take place on 28 September 2022. For more information, visit the FSFW's website on https://www.freestatefashionweek.co.za/

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