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So, we are three weeks into the 1st term and everyone is hard at work. The current 1st years are settling in really well. So far they have started learning basic fashion drawing, illustration, pattern making and garment construction techniques. Soon they will be starting their first main brief, which includes the design, drafting and construction of a skirt. However, they are first coached to master the skills required to execute this project with ease. So the past weeks have been filled with many lectures, demonstrations and class exercises. They have certainly risen to the challenge.
All the academic staff at DAF are all really excited to welcome all the new students as it seems we have some fresh new talent, which is always wonderful.
Passion, hard work and fun are essential and the first year students seem to possess all these capabilities!
Even at this early stage of the game one can see the beginnings of great designers. This current 1st year class is constantly keeping us all on our toes - they are enthusiastic, fun and inquisitive. This type of attitude is always welcomed as it encourages an atmosphere of open communication and flow of ideas and creativity.
The current 2nd years are equally as impressive. Second year is always tough as it requires a large jump in workload, standard and individual learning responsibilities.
They have started conceptualizing their ranges for their main brief 'Active Sports', in which they are all required to choose a sport/active lifestyle and design a 3 piece range.
From 80's electro dance to tennis, hip hop, ballet and running - the students show their versatility and individuality through their initial moodboards. They are currently working on the final designs and I will be up loading pictures of the garments as soon as they are completed.
(Kim Sassaen - 80's electro dance)
Another course currently running is costume studies. the second years are in their final module which requires them to choose a film set after 1900 and research this historical era to create one design for full-scale manufacture.
Photo's to follow soon...
Sarah Dreyer - My Fair Lady, 1960
Hieke Lauterbach - Memoirs of a Geisha, 1920's-30's
Kim Sassen - The Notebook, 1940's
And last, but certainly not least - the current third years are hard at work on their couture ranges.
This years third year students are dedicated and talented.
By this stage students have completed most of the 3 year course theory subjects, leaving more time to concentrate on their end of year ranges for the DAF fashion show.
At the beginning of the term Rene, our garment construction lecturer, shows the students basic couture construction techniques such as corsetry, rouging, working with lace, fabric manipulation, beading, etc. Thus enabling the students to incorporate these techniques into their own designs.
The brief outline requires them to choose a culture or historical era as a source of inspiration for their couture designs. 
They are currently conceptualizing their ranges according to the brief.
I look forward to sharing their hard work with you all.
As always, watch this space!
For the last 2 years the Academy has, in line with the institutions policy to support the education and training of their staff, supported me in the attainment of my Degree in Design. I began my studies in 2007 at Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
Needless to say it was a stressful two years as I studied and worked. The years were full of late nights and stressful deadlines, culminating in my very first Installation.
I pushed myself beyond anything I had ever done before - knowing that these kind of opportunities, where I would get to express myself so creatively, were few and far between. 
I spent 2007 agonising over what my thesis would entail and went from one idea to the next almost on a daily basis. Ironically it was my love for teaching the history of fashion which led me to settle on my final concept.
The idea behind the designs revolved around the concept of androgyny. The designs were inspired by men's wear from the16th-19th Centuries. I was inspired by the 21st century woman and the blurring of gender boundaries that exists in today's society.
The whole process was extremely organic for me - i found it very difficult when my lecturers would ask to see the entire range from start to finish. I would be working on one design and only once it truly took on its form could I begin to conceptualize the next garment in the sequence of designs.
I experimented with fabric manipulation methods & incorporated what I call a 'diamond tuck' technique into each garment. This was a time consuming & monotonous process. At times I thought I was crazy for even attempting it. The first garment I made was a waistcoat, inspired by the 16th C male doublet, it took me about 40 hours of hand work to complete. I then wondered what I had gotten myself into after my lecturer encouraged me to incorporate it into every garment!
The range is built around contradicting concepts of masculine/feminine, hard/soft fabrics, dark/light colours, fitted/loose, constrictive/comfortable and hand vs. machine construction.The garments are made up of a mixture of wool and hemp suiting (representing the masculine) and silk (representing the feminine).The evident grey colour represents the 'blurring' of gender boundaries in the 21st century.It was difficult to juggle being a student and teaching (not to mention somewhat ironic), but with the help of all the staff at the Academy, I was able to successfully complete my 2 years of study and pass my practical component with distinction. I wish to thank Bianca, Tania, Rene, Irene & Suzanne for all your patience and encouragement through a very challenging time. All their support is testament to the spirit of individual commitment, caring, quality education and training that DAF values above all.
As we enter a new academic year, I thought it would only be fitting to first reflect on 2008 and all the amazing accomplishments the students at DAF have achieved.
In the first half of the year the 2nd and 3rd year students took part in the Durban July competition. 3 students, Robyn Caris, Stephanie Anastasopoulos and Pheona Kigozi all made it through to the Regional Finals. With Stephanie winning this leg of the competition. Congratulations Steph!The 2nd years took part in the academy's Outreach Programme, in which they designed and made up ballroom dance dresses for the Gladys School of Dance, for a ballroom dance competition.
One of our 1st year students, Nikita Coleman, won a competition in which she got to style South African Hip Hop artist HHP for one of his upcomming music videos.
The students then took part in the DAF '08 fashion show, which was a great success. With the launch of the Cape Town Fashion Council's 'Graduate Shows', the Academy participated, along with CPUT & CTCF,in a joint fashion show created to showcase graduating students from all around Cape Town. This event provides a platform for young designers and exposure to the industry. It also encourages a spirit of healthy competition amongst the students from the different institutions.
3rd year student, Margot Molyneux, was awarded a prize from the Cape Town Fashion Council and was offered the opportunity to enter into their Competitaveness Programme.
Simone Wrankmore, another 3rd year student, was offered a place in S.A Fashion Week and Truworths awarded Simone with a prize for the most commercially viable range.
The fashion show was on African Couture on SABC3 and 3rd year student Jennifer Stevens and lecturer Irene Grasser were interviewed along with other designers from the various colleges.
The academy awarded both Simone Wrankmore and Roxanne Anderson with awards for outstanding achievement as both passed the 3 year course with distinction.Well done to everyone who worked so hard.As we enter 2009 we look forward to another exciting year ahead!
Watch this space...
DAF hosted a dress up party at Bang Bang Club Last Friday to raise funds for the annual fashion show.
The theme was based on the 3rd year brief for their couture ranges - different cultures from around the world.
1st years Hannah, Claire, Ilse, Pietrie, Grethe and Kylie
