At least 13 designers have been selected to participate at the inaugural of the forthcoming Malawi Fashion Week (MFW) 2013 from May 30 to June 3.

The selection was made at the designers’ auditions over the weekend at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe.

“Out of the 53 designers that registered, 21 designers came for auditions. Each designer showcased 10 outfits in front of the judges as per requirement and after the two days of auditions,” read a statement from the event organizers.

“Apart from the 13 designers that have been picked, there are seven designers Botswana, Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia whose outfits will be sent this week (by Wednesday) to be reviewed by the judges and those who will make it will join the 13 that are already in; these designers made prior communication as they were not able to send their outfits to Malawi by Sunday, which was the closing date for the auditions.

“The rest of the designers did not show up to audition while others said they were engaged in other activities.”

MFW organizers have also announced that the designers who came for auditions but did not make it will be accorded an opportunity to showcase up to three outfits during this the 2013 MFW event.

The judges were a selection of fashion experts and shop owners from Blantyre and Lilongwe namely Chifundo Malunga owner of Dazzle, Sipho Mtawali owner of KB Fashions, Tamara Mlusu of House of Lydia, Anita Wandawanda of Divalicious as well as Kondwani Kalichelo and Jolly Jezzman.

Among other things, the judges were looking at style, fabric details, creativity, color coordination, finishing details and tailormanship, quality and durability.

The MFW organisors also commeneded those who took part in the auditions describing it as “a stepping stone to bigger and better things to come as we work together in growing the Malawi Fashion Industry.”

“We recommend fashion designers in Malawi to take this as a career not a hobby, so they have to invest time, dedication and resources. They have to adhere to international standards and be able to follow the rules, meet deadlines and be ready to respond to market requirements.”

The MFW, which is scheduled to take place at Umodzi Park, President’s Hotel Arena in the capital city, is being organized by Elegant Resources by ArianaLouise in collaboration with African Dzuwa.