Johnny Depp inspires young fashion designer

Rich Mnisi wowed the judges and got a standing ovation from the crowd when he presented his designs at the African Fashion Awards.

This year's African Fashion Awards (AFAs) went to:

• Marianne Fassler for Designer of the Year;
• Laduma Ngxokolo, creator of the label Maxhosa, for Emerging  Designer of the Year;
• Katherine-Mary Pichulik, known for her bright rope necklaces, for Accessory Designer of the Year;
• Gaschette online magazine for Outstanding Trend Communicator;
• model Lucky Favour as the New Face of the Year;
• Omoyemi Akerele, founder and artistic director of Style House Files, a creative development agency for Nigerian and African designers, for her outstanding contribution to African Fashion;
• Franca Sozzani, editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia, for her global contribution to the promotion and development of African fashion; and
• local rising star Rich Mnisi, AFI's Young Designer of the Year.

Rich Mnisi's capsule collection, OATH — a line inspired by the American film, Dark Shadows — wowed the judges and got a standing ovation from the crowd when he presented it at the AFI Fastrack show at the weekend.

Mnisi says he used a scene from the movie in which Johnny Depp is surrounded by trees and grey skies, standing next to a street sign that reads ‘‘Collinsport” as a starting point for his collection. 

The 22-year-old’s career took off when he was announced one of the AFI Fasttrack winners at MBFW Joburg  earlier this year.

Mnisi presented his first winning collection after graduating from Lisof School of Design in Johannesburg.

The masculine ‘‘Collinsport” collection, his first, consisted of bright sorbet colours and prints he designed himself.

Mnisi’s current collection is made up of more subdued colours — the blues and greys of a winter sky. The designer described his range as ‘‘young, dope and influenced by pop culture”.

He  said winning the award will not only open doors of great opportunity but will also enable him to make a living by doing what he loves.

“Africa Fashion International’s Fasttrack programme has given us a wonderful opportunity as young designers. Winning was the cherry on the top,” says Mnisi.