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AFI Joburg Fashion Week infused its runways with a bright AfroAsia theme

14 October 2018 - 00:00 By Nothemba Mkhondo

At African Fashion International’s (AFI's) latest Joburg Fashion Week, the East met Africa for an AfroAsian-themed season that saw designers from Japan, Cambodia and China share the runway with an array of talent from Africa.
We chatted to the designers behind Japan's 5-Knot and South Africa's Leopard Frock about their latest collections.
JAPAN'S ENA KIZAWA AND TAKETO NISHINO OF 5-KNOT
Where did the 5-Knot journey begin?
We went to the same fashion school in Tokyo, and then we started designing at different companies. We worked for a few years, then got married and started 5-Knot in 2013.
Why 5-Knot?
We live in a coastal area near Tokyo and we love to surf and spend time on the beach. A knot is the speed of a boat and then there are knots that you tie. The 5 represents Ena's birthday, October 5. We actually showed on her birthday so it was a special day.
Tell us about the new collection.
This collection is not just Spring/Summer 2019; it mixes all four seasons to make new seasons. It's very vibrant. Our designs are inspired by travelling. Recently, we've been to Morocco, Portugal and Cuba, so it's inspired by a lot of countries.
How do you create your collections?
First, we choose a country we want to visit and then we spend time there and take in the culture. We just talk to each other. We don't draw or take pictures; we just keep talking to each other. When we get back home, we start drawing and choose fabrics - and a direction.
What is the 5-Knot aesthetic?
Vintage, prints, and mixed styling is important for us and part of the design of our brand.
Who is the 5 Knot woman?
Someone who loves fashion, of course, and who loves travelling and colour and patterns.
What are the big fashion trends for 2019?
Collections in New York and Paris seem to show that sportswear and street style is moving towards becoming cleaner and lighter.
SA'S MARIANNE FASSLER OF LEOPARD FROCK
How did you come up with the name of your new collection, Kwa(a)i?
"Kwaai" is South African slang for the top form of coolness. In "cool Asian", "kwai" means awesome, the ultimate example of anything worth emulating.
Tell us more about the collection.
I loved playing with all the different elements implicit in an Asian/African fusion. It was totally coincidental that the AFI theme was Africa meets Asia, because our brand is not about trend or theme.
Lezanne Viviers, my creative director, spent two months in Japan on a sabbatical earlier this year and the magic started happening when we opened up the bales of cloth and vintage kimonos.
We also featured many pieces that are classic commercial separates to update any working wardrobe...

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