As the international fashion crowd recover from the spectacles that were London, Paris and New York Fashion Weeks, the fashion savvy world on African soil can now look forward to a more uniquely flavoured array of fashion talent in the form of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (MBFW) Africa. Hosted by the City of Tshwane, South Africa’s centre of international trade and dialogue, the weeklong fashion festivities are set to take place from 26th October 2013 to 2nd November 2013.

MBFW Africa is a trans-seasonal showcase that ultimately aims to shine a spotlight onto premier African and heritage designers, paving the way for African fashion businesses to global markets. Last year, the platform welcomed local Botswana designer, Mpho Kuaho of Issues Studio and Jophes clothing label.

Playground to the fashion forward and the trendsetters to watch, Tshwane will this year play host to an impressive cocktail of designers including Taibo Bacar (Winner of the 2012 Designer of the Year – AFI Africa Fashion Awards) from Mozambique; and Mille Collines from Rwanda. In addition, show-goers can look forward to the runways showings of Mina Evans and Duaba Serwa from Ghana; Sheria Ngowi and Mustafa Hassanali from Tanzania; David Tlale, Marianne Fassler and Thula Sindi from South Africa. Arguably the most highly anticipate runways shows amongst the eager show-goers is Thula Sindi’s show, one of South Africa best known young designers. Best known for his sophisticated, chic, feminine and timeless designs for both the young and the mature, Sindi’s work has graced the runways of Hong Kong, Beijing, New York, Lagos and Paris, where Sindi held his first show in 2007. 2012’s MBFW Africa saw Sindi take home the title of South African Tourism Designer of the Year Award.

African designers continue to intrigue fashion followers across the globe and South Africa, which has fast established itself as a veritable fashion capital of the world, is considered by many to be perfectly poised to once more host this fashion spectacular. An impressive four years under its belt and the illustrious backing of Mercedes-Benz bring has put South Africa on the same playing field as the runway shows of Paris, New York, London and Milan, though with its very own distinct local flavour perfectly aligned to support the African fashion industry.

Now in its fifth year, MBFW Africa is anchored by African Fashion International (AFI) draws thousands to its perfectly curated shows, with many international show-goers descending upon South Africa for their fashion fix. This year’s Fashion Week will also see AFI presenting a retail element: the Africa Fashion Trade Expo (AFTE). The AFTE offers designers the opportunity to engage in business-to-business networking with the media and buyers as well as business-to-consumer sales directly to the public.

Set against the dazzling backdrop that is Tshwane, visitors to the city are in for quite a treat when it comes to Tshwane’s elusive urban vibe as the ‘African capital of excellence.’ One of the oldest and largest cities in South Africa, Tshwane has a rich heritage, immense cultural diversity and a wealth of natural wonders, from the Union Buildings and its spectacular gardens, to the Voortrekker Monument and Freedom Park, the National Zoological Gardens – the largest zoo in the country – and its botanical gardens which spread over 76 hectares, and boasting the claim to being the only city in the world with a big-five game reserve within city boundaries – the 90 000-hectare Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve. Those making their way to Tshwane for MBFW Africa have any number of exciting activities to explore in South Africa’s heritage playground.

Fashion fans, avid shoppers and the sartorially curious anyone can secure a seat from www.webtickets.co.za prior to the event.