GLOBAL LOOKS (Pty) Ltd has announced the launch of Swaziland Fashion Week, a week long event featuring original couture runway fashion shows presented on December 19, 2008 and December 20, 2008. The kick off event will be a Black and White VIP Ball on December 18, 2008.  The International Design show will feature established designers: Irmgard Mkhabela, Aubrey Ramatla, Thula Sindi, Ol Ledimo, Robyn Lidsky and Bongiwe Walaza. The Emerging Desinger Show will feature local Swazi designers: Bongi Gray, Siphalele Magagula, Faith Vilakati, Sithembile Dlamini, Lovington Dlamini, Harry Aidoo, Lulu Americo, Mimi Magwaza, Lungile Dlamini, Doyin Kukoyi, Nokujula Dlamini, Ruth Kawe, Aisha Moloto, Celumusa Vilakati and Mahenjane Mndzebele. The event will be filmed for worldwide web casting on NeilTV with an introduction in multiple languages. Both national and international press is invited to cover this groundbreaking event.

Swaziland Fashion Week is primarily a vehicle for national and international designers to showcase their couture and finely tailored garments to the Swazi and Southern African market. In addition to being a unique opportunity for these fashion designers, the event serves to create awareness of Swazi fashion, enervate the local fashion business sector and launch Swazi designers into the global fashion stage. Hosting the event in country will  also exhibit the natural beauty of the Kingdom of Swaziland and ultimately aid the bourgeoning national tourism industry.

Swaziland Fashion Week founder, Bongi Gray recently said, We believe that this industry will become the ultimate peaceful language that will unite us [Swazi people] with the rest of the world because everyone has to dress up and everyone is always looking for something different or something new. We are saying Swaziland is ready to give the world a taste of her vibrant colors her flora offers in the way of fabrics and style. It is our true wish and strong patriotism that strengthens our faith in Swaziland. We strongly believe that the world will be looking down [to] Southern Africa for leading trends in fashion and saying there is something about Swaziland.   

One of the challenges faced by emerging Swazi designers are distribution channels, to this end, designers or their representatives will be available to take individual and boutique orders at the events. Fashion buyers specializing in custom made to couture fashion markets, web and print fashion journalist, selected VIP's, celebrities, socialites and corporate sponsors are also sure to enjoy the runway shows as well as other planned events.

This is a positive event for Swaziland, creating job opportunities for stylists, models and others involved in fashion and tourism. Additionally, it aims to identify capable fashion designers who will in turn benefit the local textile industry through job creation, boost cultural exchange between Swazi and international fashion industry stakeholders and develop new ties with countries offering training in textile production and or marketing of the finished garments.

Producer Bongi Gray is the founder of Global Looks (Pty) Ltd. She hosts seasonal charity shows for orphans and vulnerable children. She has been participating in international fashion shows since 2000. In South Africa, she was featured in The Vukani Awards, MTN Durban Fashion Week, Nokia Cape Town Fashion Week, Face of Africa. Her Designs have been featured in South Africa's leading magazine, TV Channels and Websites. Additional international promotional and organizational support provided by Yana Fleming of SadaStyle International & The African Fashion Index.