Breaking News: PFF Collaborations
Profond Groove Experience Joins Platinum Fashion Festival as 2025 Platinum Sponsor!
We’re thrilled to announce that Profond Groove Experience is joining the North West School of Design (NWSD) as the Platinum sponsor for the 2025 Platinum Fashion Festival! As the official Gala Show sponsor, Profond Groove Experience brings its legendary energy and flair, promising to make this year’s festival an unforgettable celebration of creativity, style, and community.
Festival Highlights: Bigger, Bolder, and Brighter Than Ever
This year’s Platinum Fashion Festival is set to be the most spectacular yet, drawing together fashion enthusiasts and industry leaders from across the region. Get ready to witness a dazzling display of talent, with:
- 52 dynamic models gracing the runway
- 70 visionary designers showcasing their latest creations
- Over 320 runway looks set to inspire and excite
The sheer scale and diversity of participants reflect the festival’s commitment to spotlighting emerging talent and celebrating the vibrant fashion scene of the North West.
Special Collaborations: The BBCDI Fashion Entrepreneur Network Takes the Stage
A highlight of this year’s event is our exciting collaboration with the BBCDI (Bokgone Bophirima Craft and Design Institute) for the Fashion Entrepreneurs Network Industry Showcase. This partnership will introduce a segment dedicated to designer ready-to-wear collections—an incredible opportunity for local designers to connect with broader audiences and elevate their brands on a prestigious platform.
To empower the next generation of fashion leaders, all participating Fashion Entrepreneurs Network designers have taken part in exclusive masterclasses led by acclaimed industry expert Marlene Oosthuizen. These sessions have equipped designers with invaluable insights and skills, ensuring that every collection on the runway reflects both innovation and excellence.
Grand Finale: NWSD Alumni Shine and Principal Surprise Looks Await
The festival will culminate in a grand finale featuring a showcase of spectacular creations by NWSD’s distinguished alumni. To top off the excitement, attendees can look forward to principal surprise looks – one-of-a-kind designs that promise to leave the audience in awe and set new trends for the year ahead.
Be Part of the Celebration!
With Profond Groove Experience infusing the Gala Show with its signature vibrancy, the 2025 Platinum Fashion Festival is shaping up to be a landmark event for fashion lovers and the wider community. Stay tuned for more updates, behind-the-scenes peeks, and exclusive previews as we count down to this unmissable celebration of style, creativity, and collaboration. Mark your calendars and prepare to be inspired — North West fashion has never looked so bright!
NWSD FEATURE #nwsdalumni : Helena Botha
The Heart Behind Helena the Label
This month, we’re celebrating one of our own – Helena van der Westhuizen, now Mrs Botha – the designer behind Helena the Label and our very own Social Media Manager here at NWSD. Helena grew up in Potchefstroom, surrounded by art, music and creativity. From a young age, she loved drawing, painting and photography, so it was no surprise that she followed a creative path. After matriculating from Gimnasium High School in 2015, she began studying Graphic Design at NWU, but soon realised she wanted something more hands-on. In 2017, she joined North West School of Design, and that’s where she truly found her passion.
By 2018, while still studying, Helena the Label was born – a brand dedicated to celebrating life’s most special moments through beautifully handcrafted garments. Her studio at The Roots Lifestyle Centre in Potchefstroom is surrounded by gardens that constantly inspire her nature-driven aesthetic. From matric farewell dresses to wedding gowns, Helena pours her heart into every piece, focusing on detail, emotion and storytelling.
Fast forward to 27 September 2025, when Helena walked down the aisle – wearing a dress she made herself. “I honestly didn’t know what I wanted at first, how do you choose a style when it’s your own wedding? After trying on a few dresses, I finally started to see what I liked. Then came the best part – fabric shopping!” she says.
She fell in love with chantilly lace with soft sequins for a gentle sparkle, and later discovered a beaded lace that looked like roots… a perfect nod to her love for nature and growth. She layered it with a soft pink-nude lining and dreamy tulle, creating a gown that was effortlessly her.
As if creating her own gown wasn’t special enough, Helena also designed and made four bridesmaids’ dresses and four flower girl dresses, each crafted to complement her theme and reflect the soft, romantic feel of the day.
Helena’s journey is a reminder of why we do what we do at NWSD: to nurture creativity, courage, and heart. Today, she continues to share that same passion with our students and followers as NWSD’s Social Media Manager, telling the stories of the next generation of designers with warmth, sincerity, and love for the craft.
Student showcase: THREADING THREADS – by MPHO KHABA & NOBUHLE SIBEKO
“TWO PATHS. ONE PATTERN.”
In this edition of NWSD NEWS, we are delighted to spotlight the captivating work of two visionary students, Mpho Khaba and Nobuhle Sibeko. Their latest project, a concept film crafted to promote the X!act Pattermaker, draws inspiration from the bold aesthetics of 2000s commercial fashion. The film weaves a compelling narrative that presents the patternmaker as two distinct women — one a fashion designer, the other a model—each embodying perseverance and resilience in pursuit of their ambitions: to shine as a star and create as an innovator. Unwavering in the face of adversity, they forge ahead with determination that is as steadfast and enduring as a thread.
This campaign not only celebrates their creative flair and storytelling prowess but also exemplifies the culture of excellence and innovation nurtured at NWSD. Join us as we explore their artistic journey and honour their contributions to the ever-evolving world of fashion.
Credits
Script Writer: Mpho Khaba
Editor: Mpho Khaba
Creative Directors: Mpho Khaba & Nobuhle Sibeko
Models: Kgothatso Shabangu & Caroline Van Rooyen
Production Crew: Mpho Khaba, Nobuhle Sibeko, Basetsana Maloleka & Junior Siskhosana
Student Spotlight: Nonkululeko Lukhozi Shines in the Bernina SA “Dress Your Style – Denim Edition” Competition
We are proud to celebrate Nonkululeko Lukhozi, who recently participated in the Bernina South Africa Sewing Competition: “Dress Your Style – Denim Edition.” The challenge required participants to design and create original looks using denim fabric.
Nonkululeko’s design was inspired by the versatility of denim, exploring how this timeless fabric continues to evolve—from classic jeans to modern interpretations featuring unique textures, silhouettes, and techniques.
“I wanted to portray the ability that denim has to not only hold structure but also accommodate various forms of fabric manipulation within a single garment,” she explained.
To bring her vision to life, Nonkululeko incorporated a range of intricate techniques, including:
• Floral smocking
• Pleating
• Tucks
• Beading
Her creativity and craftsmanship earned her the title of 1st Runner-Up, an achievement she describes as both surreal and deeply fulfilling. “Receiving the news that I had placed as the 1st Runner-Up felt unbelievable. I was overwhelmed with joy—it marked the realization of a goal I had set from the very beginning of the process,” she shared. As part of her award, Nonkululeko received a BERNINA 325 sewing machine—a well-deserved recognition of her talent and dedication.
