Get rural designer over international waters

Get rural designer over international water

My Name is Athenkosi Mfungula, i live in a rural. Township of Ashdown, Pietermaritzburg and 24 yrs of age. I Graduated at School of Fashion in 2015 placing me as a Fashion Designer by profession and opening my own business, LEMFVX clothing line.

After Graduating i sort for and achieved the opportunity to be part of the Durban Fashion Fair Mentorship Programme 2017. The programme opened opportunities for me to Dress Mrs Universe, Mrs South Africa, Ukraine, Baltics and St. Petersburg in 2017. This lead to me winning the Top Rising Star Award through the mentorship programme and recognised by South African celebrity, Luthuli Dlanimi (TV actor and producer) and celebrity Scoop Makhathini (TV presenter and influencer) Since 2018 i have been blessed with invites to Cape Town SA Mens, Vodacom Durban July, Young Designer Award, Rawsilk that was aired on Television SABC 1, Made in Africa that also aired on Television BET Africa (Channel 129), to showcase my own clothing line.

With this vast prolific exposure in 1 year, my collection then won "Best Menswear Collection" of the Year at the Durban Fashion Fair 2019.

This implausible award lead me to being invited by "My Arts Festival" in Denmark, hosted by the South African Embassy, to show case my line in the entrepreneur category.

With my line grabbing the attention of international models and designers, i have been invited to New York and London through Fashion Designers and Craft Makers NGO. This platform is created for 10 nominated emerging Fashion Designers who want to attract or get into a new market.

As a raising entrepreneur fashion designer in KZN, these opportunities are inflexible and i am honoured to have been chosen to attend them.

Nothing is for free and as i see my career and passion start to accelerate, my clothing line wont be able to get the recognition and international exposure it deserves without financial assistance.

With these up and coming opportunities and registration deadlines my probabilities dwindle with the realistic financial needs I'm facing as a sole business owner in the heart of Edendale.

The money raised through this platform will be solely used to get my clothing range to London in June. Economy return plane ticket, accommodation for 1 week, visa, a meal a day and entry fee to register my line with Fashion Designers & Craft Makers Network.

Without the means of your help, this international trip for me and my business will not be able to happen. Its the start of my career and i'm praying 2020 is my year to celebrate the reason of life through my passion of designing. Thank you for reading my story, may you be touched by my humble gratitude in appreciation of making my dream come true.