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Clive Rundle's capsule collection titled: "Marie Antoinette returns to
Paris after attending a lesbian wedding in Africa" elicited an all
encompassing "Bravo" from Didier Grumbach, President of FFC, during
ARISE L'AFRIQUE-À-PORTER FALL 2010/2011 presented in Salon Vendome of
the prestigious Four Seasons Georges V Hotel in Paris last Friday
evening.
 He showcased his spectacular collection in Paris with nine other cross-continent African designers as part of ARISE L'AFRIQUE-À-PORTER FALL 2010/2011.
One of his many Facebook entries during the time of showcasing this last collection saw him label a mannequin: "Marie Antoinette on her return to Paris after visiting King of the Zulus". As somewhat of an elusive South African fashion designer and constructionist over the last 20 years, Rundle is renowned for his uncanny ability to embrace chaos and reconcile the unimaginable with the imaginable, the ugly with the beautiful.
Other South African designers showing were David Tlale, Lunar and Kluk CGDT. Nigerian designers MOMO, Eyola, Tiffany Amber, Jewel by Lisa also showcased, as well as Eric Raisina from Madagascar and Christie Brown from Ghana
Besides offering a unique opportunity for the designers, the aim of the ARISE L'AFRIQUE-À-PORTER FALL 2010/2011 presentation was to gauge the industry's reaction to African fashion now, and ultimately allow feedback that will result in one designer being chosen to present a full show at Paris Fashion Week in September for the Spring/Summer 2011 season.
The ARISE L'AFRIQUE-À-PORTER FALL 2010/2011 presentation formed part of the activities of the Fédération Française de la Couture, du Prêt-à-Porter des Couturiers et des Créateurs de Mode Fédération. It was also listeded in the Winter-Fall 2010/2011 guide sent out to registered media and buyers by the Fédération. This is the first time African designers were awarded an opportunity to present their work as an African collective to media and buyers on schedule at Paris Fashion Week.
Arise is global style magazine that celebrates African achievement in the realms of fashion, music, culture and polity and is published by THISDAY Media Group. The high-end monthly glossy is sold in London, New York, Washington DC, Milan, Paris and Nigeria.
Each designer was commissioned to create a capsule collection of five outfits to represent their brand. These were presented to the fashion industry during an intimate, innovative showcase that took place during the afternoon, followed by a cocktail party attended by Parisian socialites.
"Since the launch of ARISE at New York Fashion Week in February 2009, it has always been one the goals of the magazine to showcase African fashion on a global stage," says Nduka Obaigbena, THISDAY Chairman, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of ARISE magazine. "Taking a collective of African designers to Paris Fashion Week is indicative of our determination and continued commitment to African culture."
Didier Grumbach, President of FFC (left), is introduced to Clive Rundle, South African designer, (right) by Jan Malan, director of Jan Malan Umzingeli (centre).
(From left to right) Christiaan Gabriel du Toit and Malcolm Kluk for Kluk CGDT (South Africa), Eric Raisina (Madagascar), Karen Ter Morshuizen for Lunar (South Africa), Fati Asebelua for MOMO (Nigeria), Didier Grumbach (President of FFC), David Tlale (South Africa), Folake Folarin-Coker for Tiffany Amber (Nigeria), Clive Rundle (South Africa), Zara Okapa for Jewel by Lisa (Nigeria), Eloye for Ayole (Nigeria/UK), Aisha Obuobi for Christie Brown (Ghana).
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