Design Indaba Names Emerging Creatives 2022

The multifaceted platform Design Indaba, which is known as respected institution on the global creative landscape, has named their Emerging Creatives Class of 2022. This unique developmental programme offers gifted young creatives a platform to gain exposure and grow their careers. The prestigious institution focus on African and global creativity, through the lens of the work and ideas of leading and emerging thinkers and doers, opinion formers, trendsetters and industry experts.

Out of a list of three- hundred and eighty applicants, hand picked forty gifted youngsters to participate in the prestigious creative developmental programme.

Pictured: Emerging Creatives recipient Siya Baba’s ‘Bleeding Mesh’ garment from namesake label.

“We are delighted to continue our annual support for our country’s young creatives, particularly in a constrained pandemic environment,” says Design Indaba founder Ravi Naidoo. “We are grateful to our partner, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, for its ongoing commitment to stand with the rising stars of tomorrow.”

The Class of 2022 was selected by curators Lukhanyo Mdingi and Ditiro Mashigo – both well-known fashion designers who also happen to be former Emerging Creatives themselves. Both were impressed by the high quality of the submissions. “I’m incredibly inspired to see the brewing and exceptional talent of the Emerging Creatives,” says Mdingi.

“Year after year, Design Indaba has provided a platform for aspiring designers at large to showcase their work and what they have to offer the industry. They are to be commended for this.” ‘ Mdingi.

Pictured: Emerging Creatives recipient Luke Rudman’s collaborative piece for Green Peace Africa’s Protect The Ocean campaign.

The young designers handpicked for the 2022 edition will be introduced to the public via an extended virtual exhibition and Design Indaba’s thriving social media channels. The Class of 2022 will also benefit from masterclass sessions with international and local experts, like UK-based Artsthread, documentary video sessions, and dedicated personal profiles on designindaba.com. The Emerging Creatives programme is designed to hone talent and provide participants with strategies to take their work to the next level and to market.

In sifting through the many submissions, Mashigo’s agenda was to seek out “innovation in design-led problem-solving and an honest point of view from South African emerging design talents on issues of climate change, socio economics and equality.” explains Mashigo.

Pictured: ‘Naawanye Nomblaba’ collection by Emerging Creatives recipient Fikile Sokhulu.

Pictured: Emerging Creatives recipient Riyaadhs Yaad’s namesake brand A/W 21 collection.

“Congratulations to all those who have come through the rigorous curatorial selection process – this year’s Emerging Creatives are enormously talented, and we look forward to seeing the Class of 2022’s contribution. The pandemic has shown us that creative thinking is not a luxury but a survival skill, so nurturing creative talent is vital. We are proud to partner with the Design Indaba once again to invest in the future of the South Africa’s creative industries,” says Dr Stella Khumalo, Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC).