ALINAH MISSOURI

FASHION INDUSTRY AWARDS SOUTH AFRICA – FOUNDER

Alinah Seloane Missouri is best known as the go-to person of the local fashion scene, as the Director of her own Fashion Consulting Agency, ASM Fashion Consultancy. Alinah comes from a family with rich history of dressmakers and tailors, it is hardly surprising Alinah’s career has been shaped by her love of fine design. From an early age, her parents encouraged her entrepreneurial spirit, as a teenager she consistently demonstrated a tendency to do things her own way and in her early career Alinah always sought to provide shared opportunities – a management style that would result in the establishment of her own company in early 2011 – the ASM Fashion Consulting Agency (ASM), a fashion agency committed to fostering the growth of emerging fashion entrepreneurs in South Africa. Long before the establishment of her own business, Alinah started out in the booking office of then the Sanlam SA Fashion Week in Johannesburg. Working closely with Lucilla Booyzen, she rose up the fashion ranks quickly, taking over designer management of the shows with a fearlessness that set her apart from her colleagues.

Her innate belief in the value of local talent in the industry ultimately resulted in the direction she would take with her own agency.

By breaking in newer designers and celebrating their styles, Alinah has become a tour de force in the local fashion industry and a valued and experienced broker between designers and industry stakeholders. Most recently, she has facilitated export opportunities for local designer products in Botswana, Mozambique and Ethiopia where her love of experiential brand activations using Pop Up stores provided access to new markets for emerging designers and forged new business relationships enabling future growth.As the co-founder of the Fashion Industry Fashion Awards South Africa, she advocates for supporting local designers. She passionately believes the Fashion Industry can be used as a positive force for change and a platform to celebrate the past, present and future and adding value chain in the fashion industry.

Email: alinah@fashionforum.co.za

Contact: 082 926 6033

SIMPHIWE MAJOLA

FASHION INDUSTRY AWARDS SOUTH AFRICA – CO-FOUNDER

Simphiwe Majola is a powerful force who is synonymous with the most successful South African events, campaigns and personalities. Over the years, he has proven to be the fastest moving PR machine and many reputable circles consider him SA’s most powerful publicist and a highly sought-after TV producer.

What many people don’t know is that the media darling is a fashion expert and his flair for fashion plays itself out not only in his fashion sense, which he often shows off on the red carpet of major events like the South African Music Awards, but through his affiliation with some of the biggest fashion brands. For 19 years, Simphiwe have been extensively involved SA Style Awards and 14years with the GQ Best Dressed Men of the Year making him a fashion guru. To cement his status he also acted as fashion jurist on the biggest radio station in our country, Ukhozi FM for 5 years Most recently he showed his appetite for the fashion fraternity by co-founding and becoming director of the newly launched Fashion Industry Awards South Africa, to be held later this year. There couldn’t be a more fitting person for this role, considering that Simphiwe is a fashion jurist and trendsetter supreme. For Simphiwe, fashion is not just a passion as he is a qualified “fashionista” and holds a National Diploma in Fashion from the University of Johannesburg.

The PR savant, brand engineer, celebrity agent, global publicist values education as he boasts a National Diploma in Public Relations Management from PROVOX Centre for Public Relations and Communications. He is a consummate PR professional and has worked with numerous well-known celebrities and top leading media brands. Having worked in the fields of fashion, beauty, design, FMCG, broadcast and in government for over 19 years in the industry, he is best described as a “boutique agent” for developing public relations strategies.

Simphiwe has worked with influential and highly successful celebrities and continues to do so.

Email: simphiwe@fashionfourum.co.za

Contact: 082 971 8154

LISA MADIBE

FASHION INDUSTRY AWARDS SOUTH AFRICA DIGITAL DIRECTOR

Lisa Madibe is a PR Practitioner and has been working with the Mrs South Africa organisation for 5 years. She is passionate about Digital Media and believes in partnering with brands that share the same sentiment about connecting with people at a level which allows content to resonate with them.

She aims to give brands the opportunity to translate their brand story into the lives of the everyday consumers.

Lisa is also a professional Public Relations practitioner, creative director , as well as content creator.

Email: lisa@fashionforum.co.za

ANNA-MARI CLAASEN

FASHION INDUSTRY AWARDS SOUTH AFRICA CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Designer Anna-Mari Claasen is the driving force behind the feminine, ready to wear label Kottin & Twille and also the co-owner of the South African swimwear brand; Khukhutsi.
Anna-Mari has established herself as a leader in Product Development and Production management, and is seen as a ‘connector’ in the Fashion industry. She has been actively involved in the SA Fashion industry for 20 years.

With a special affection for education and working with crafters and the social upliftment of communities, she has initiated and participated in various mentorship programs around the country and enjoys sharing knowledge with young designers and crafters and has been actively involved in consulting on many brands and mentoring young talents to successful ends.

Anna-Maris’ pure passion for creating and nurturing a culture of great, responsible and ethical design is a constant motivator and driving force behind her continued success in the SA fashion industry.

Email: anna-mari@fashionforum.co.za

Contact: 079 557 5226