'Raw Silk' has designs on being SA's own 'Project Runway'

12 February 2017 - 02:00 By Rea Khoabane
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In Thailand, when weavers prepare raw silk they dunk the cocoons in vats of boiling water to separate the thread from the caterpillar.

'Raw Silk' judges Ole Ledimo, Nthato Mashishi and Yasmin Furmie.
'Raw Silk' judges Ole Ledimo, Nthato Mashishi and Yasmin Furmie.
Image: SIMPHIWE NKWALI

Participants in Raw Silk, now on SABC1, will know just what that's like.

The 13-episode fashion series, in reality-show format, hopes to help raw South African designer talent spin itself into gold, or at least a hot new look.

The 13 contestants will face a range of sartorial challenges, such as making gowns inspired by a different theme every week. But there's more — the last designer left standing wins R100,000 and the chance to collaborate on a collection with the renowned fashion designer Ole Ledimo, which will be shown at South African Fashion Week this year.

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Ledimo created the show, is directing it and is also one of the judges, along with celebrity makeup artist and hairstylist Nthato Mashishi and fashion commentator Yasmin Furmie.

Ledimo says Raw Silk will take audiences behind the scenes to witness what designers go through to put together a collection and what it takes to make it in "a cut-throat industry".

"Raw Silk goes beyond the glitz and glamour of fashion and shows the hard work that goes into making garments," he says. And the trauma, like a zip breaking before the model walks the ramp.

"We want to give the audience the rawness of young talent and also show how silk changes from being raw to becoming a soft fabric," Ledimo says.

Even though South Africa's textile industry is still very small, he believes the show will open doors for the young designers and attract investors.

WATCH the trailer for Raw Silk

Ledimo started his menswear design career 17 years ago in his hometown of Bloemfontein.

"When I came up with the show, I thought about myself and how no one opened doors for me when I first moved to Johannesburg. The contestants will gain knowledge from the best in the industry, while also being taught about the business of fashion," he says.

Ledimo says that in looking for the two other judges, he wanted people with flawless cred in the industry.

Mashishi, for example, has provided makeup magic for celebrities like Bonang Matheba, Somizi Mhlongo, Pearl Thusi and Khanyi Dhlomo.

He says that having worked behind the scenes with celebrities and on TV shows he's aware of the work that goes into putting a show together.

"I've been making stars all my life and being part of Raw Silk will showcase what I've learnt in the fashion industry and what I'm capable off," Mashishi says. He advises audiences to expect the unvarnished truth. "We speak vernacular because some of the garments can only be described in street language."

Raw Silk also has educational value, he says. "We aim to inspire young people who are in the rural areas and have no clue how to tackle their fashion talent."

Furmie adds: "The young designers are selected from all nine provinces and that is something that viewers nationwide will relate to. The show will also speak to aspiring designers who have questions about the industry and have no one to ask."

• Catch 'Raw Silk' on Tuesdays at 9pm on SABC1.

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