Green Campus Initiative Online Fashion Show 2020 Report
BACKGROUND:
Each year, CPUT GCI hosts an annual fashion show in order to raise environmental awareness through fashion using recycled materials. However, due to the impact of the pandemic, this year we have had to host it as an online event. CPUT GCI saw its first ever online event in its existence. This gave us a great passage to exercise and make use of the fact that we are a University of technology, it also gave the students the opportunity to be flexible in terms of creativity with a digital perspective.
AIM OF THE EVENT:
1. To provide university students with a unique and memorable experience which creates environmental awareness, by combining fashion and environmental awareness and tech platforms.
2. Provide a platform for students across faculties interested in design to showcase their skill and passion by entering and designing garments made out of recyclable and upcycled materials.
3. Promote the Green Campus Initiative and to get more students involved with the activities and to become more environmentally conscious.
4. To reach between 300-500+ students through the various platforms online
SUMMARY:
The online fashion show started on the 24th of May till 17th of June allowing students the opportunity to design their garments, voting and the judging process. Only CPUT registered students were allowed to enter the competition, upon applying, they were required to submit a proof of registration. The designers were given the opportunity to model their garments or choose any person at home who is 18 years or older. The person (model) did not have to be a CPUT student as long as they were within the lockdown restrictions.
The online fashion show was a combination of photos and videos of designers and was then posted on the CPUT Student Affairs facebook page to allow students to vote for the designs they like best. Designers were tasked to design a clothing made of recycled or upcycled materials + a face mask as an aim to spread environmental awareness and that of Covid-19 Designers were advised to make garments that are at least of 80% recyclable and upcycled materials, their garments were not to be overpowered by the use of fabric, designs were to be designed well enough to fit the model and be able to walk in it. And lastly, the designs were to be safe for the use. We had a 11 students participate as designers, and a total of 6705 likes were made on all the designers photo’s with more than 7000 people being reached from the photos and 800 through the video posted. The top 5 were identified by the most likes were;
• Designer #2 – 1160 likes
• Designer #1- 828 likes
• Designer #3 – 783 likes
• Designer #4 – 752 likes
• Designer #7 – 724 likes
The next phase of the Fashion Show included the top 5 answering a few questions on video which a panel of judges used with their photos to decide on the winners. The judges panel composed of staff members Mr Zandile Jacobs, Ms Lungi Sibanda from Residence Department and Ms Charne Theron for Civil Engineering as well as partners from Global Youth Climate Action and an alumni Mr Luchulumanco Nanto and Ms Zaynab Sadan from WWF. The judges’ panel decided on the following winners from the five finalists;
1st Place - Zandile Vuke - R3 500 (Prize money)
2nd Place - Khanyisa Ngubentombi - R2 500
3rd Place - Phumla Mlamla - R2 000
4th and 5th Place - Zonele Vuke and Yandisa Sogoni – R1000 each.
The finale video announcing the winners as well as some messages from our partners from Global Youth Climate Change and the Dean of Students was posted on the Student Affair Facebook page. Special thanks goes to the sponsors of the prize money for the top 5 designers;
Student Housing – R5000
Dean of Student Affairs – R5000
The Online GCI Fashion Show 2020 was a tremendous success reaching more than 7500 students on the Student Affairs Facebook page. This would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the GCI team of students with special thanks to the following for their outstanding contributions; Sisipo Mbempa (GCI Chairperson 2020), Tshifhiwa Mulaudzi (GCI Deputy Chair 2020), Xolani Ntshinga (GCI Chairperson 2019), GCI Ambassadors - Ongeziwe Mabandla, Lihle Mhlola, Lisolam Makiwane and Noluthando Bengu Ishmael Ratshikombo and Mpho Netshisumbewa who assisted with editing the videos. And our wonderful MC and former GCI Ambassador Nathi Mangena for being our MC. Without all your hard work and long hours dedicated to GCI the fashion show would not have been a success.
