'Mandela fashion line' makes runway debut
A fashion line launched to raise money for Nelson Mandela’s AIDS charity made its runway debut on Sunday, with high-fashion incarnations of the vivid shirts that he often wore as president
The clothing created for 46664, the anti-apartheid hero’s prison number which is now the name of his charity, appeared on the catwalk for South Africa Fashion Week, with everything from salmon-coloured suits for men to full-length flowing gowns for women.
“What is exciting about this range is that pretty much most people can find something in the range,” said Wayne Bebb, CEO of Brand ID, which manages the 46664 label.
“Someone who is quite fashionable would love some of the colours, someone who is little bit more conservative is going to find a very interesting shirt and a pair of denim,” he said.
Many of the clothes used prints inspired by the loose shirts that Mandela himself wore after taking office in 1994 as South Africa’s first black president. A few more muted pieces included slates and charcoals, but pink, green, orange and purple were the order of the day — whether in patchwork shorts for men or smartly tailored suits for women.
Between 7% and 9% of the revenue generated by the clothes will go to Mandela’s foundation, which is committed to battling the spread of HIV and AIDS.
The organisation once used mega-concerts with stars like Bono and Annie Lennox to raise money for its work, but 46664 head Ruth Rensburg said the charity now needed other ways of fundraising.
“46664 currently implements Nelson Mandela international day, it takes responsibility for the global coordination and implementation of it around the world,” she said. “What we will do going forward is look for projects that take forward Mr Mandela’s work.”
Mandela Day is observed on July 18, the Nobel Peace Prize winner’s birthday, when he asks the public to perform community service.
Mandela was given the number 46664 upon his arrival at South Africa’s Robben Island prison in 1964, where he remained until 1982. He spent time in various prisons on the mainland until his release in 1990 and was elected president following South Africa’s first-ever free vote in 1994.
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Decibels
fcuk that clothing label...these muther fukcers put three sixes on Madiba in front of our eyes...and we all go around saying four-double-six-six-four....they put the mark of the beast on comrade Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and they'll never be forgiven for that in fact they must pay and they will pay.Report Abuse
queenzo
4 (666) 4 doesnt that make you guys nervous? isnt this the mark of the beast as stated in the bible? i mean in the book of revelations? hai no am not impressed at all..... this might just be a sign that the revelation is being revealedReport Abuse
Sentle
This is label is too expensive and if you want to see it go to Staturfords.@OomGreat, there are shirts for R700 and more and their golf shirts are to die for, i mean great bright beautiful colors and mmmmmmmm
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Pipilicious
Get real now Queenzo, and go back to the bible and read properly what it says about that sign. it never said the mark will be on runways or music concerts.Report Abuse
pitchblack101
Clearly shows what fraud Nelson Mandela is...how can he let his name be used for the benefit of the Corporations. I hope someone exposes Mandela before he dies...how he sold his people, how he agreed to the codesa terms, how he agreed to the fraudulant constitution we currently have in South Africa. The real truth will be revealed...Report Abuse