Local designer Anisa Mpungwe, who founded the label Loin Cloth & Ashes, has been nominated for an MTV Base Award in the category Absolut Transform Today.
Tanzanian-born Mpungwe, who moved to South Africa at the age of 10, was the first black woman to win the prestigious Elle New Talent competition in 2008.
Mpungwe received a call informing her of the nomination. "Whoever nominated me is a mystery, but I am very grateful," she says.
"The award honours individuals who are aiming high and achieving their dreams by exposing them to a wide audience."
Mpungwe is nominated alongside artists and designers from Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana. The winner will be announced on June 7 at a ceremony in Durban, and a surprise prize will be revealed on the evening.
"It's a really big honour to know that someone thinks that what my team and I do matters for the continent. To get this nod of recognition means a lot to young designers who want to follow a career in fashion in this country," says Mpungwe.
Mpungwe is currently designing a range for a presentation in Cape Town in July and is working on her next ready-to-wear range, an interesting take on local subcultures.
"I call my designs 'modern African modesty', and I'm very proud to be recognised as a designer from Africa."
Loin Cloth & Ashes comes from the term "sackcloth and ashes", a Hebrew custom of expressing humility before the higher spirit by wearing coarse cloth, normally used to make sacks, and dusting oneself with ashes.
According to MTV, the award is presented to emerging African creatives who use their imaginations for social transformation, bringing positive attention to Africa. It recognises original talent and ideas relevant to modern African culture.
- To vote for Mpungwe, go to www.absolutmtv.co.za, pick Anisa Mpungwe, and include your name and e-mail address
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