BY NELIWE NGUBANE
MALKERNS– Far East Textiles has renewed its partnership with the Standard Bank Luju Food and Lifestyle Festival, reaffirming its commitment to supporting Eswatini’s fashion industry ahead of the festival’s eighth edition.
The partnership, now in its second consecutive year, will see the textile manufacturer provide fabric sponsorship to all 11 local designers selected for the 2026 Luju Fashion Programme. The designers will also benefit from an educational factory tour and industry engagement session at Far East Textiles’ manufacturing plant in Matsapha.
The initiative forms part of Luju’s continued efforts to strengthen Eswatini’s creative economy by connecting designers with industry leaders while providing them with practical resources to develop their collections.
This year’s Luju fashion theme, Kwasukasukela – meaning “Once Upon a Time” – celebrates African storytelling through fashion. Inspired by the festival’s broader theme, A Return to the African Future, designers are challenged to create collections that reflect cultural heritage, folklore, nature and traditions passed down through generations.
Fashion Café Director Philippa Thorne said Far East Textiles’ continued support demonstrates a long-term commitment to the country’s growing fashion sector.
“Having Far East Textiles support our designers at this foundational stage, with fabric and with wisdom, showcases their understanding of how supporting designers is not a once-off gesture, but a long-term investment in an industry we are building together,” she said.
During the factory visit, Far East Textiles Founder and Managing Director Tokky Hou shared her entrepreneurial journey with the designers while offering insights into textile production, manufacturing standards and business growth. She encouraged designers to embrace collaboration rather than competition, saying the country’s creative and manufacturing sectors stand to benefit when they work together.
Among the participating designers is returning creative Kwenzie Zwane of Black Degree, who described the experience as both inspiring and motivating.
“Coming back to Luju feels like returning to a space where my African identity is celebrated and expressed through fashion. Seeing what Tokky has built from nothing reminds you that every great achievement begins one stitch at a time,” Zwane said.
Hou said investing in emerging designers is an investment in Eswatini’s future.
“I have always believed that our industry belongs to us and that belief extends to the next generation of creators. Supporting the Luju Fashion Programme is investing in Eswatini’s creative economy from the inside out,” she said.
The 11 designers selected for the 2026 Luju Fashion Programme are Adonis Threads by Calvin DuPont, Black Degree by Kwenzie Zwane, Flow Wearz by Zikode Zwane, Philz Creations by Philile Nkwanyana, Rose Peti by Nothando Dlamini, Tash Creations by Thando Ndlangamandla, Uniq_uity by Sinakekelwe Mhlanga, Zerushi by Zen Shiba, Karo Textile by Nomfundo Simelane, Batfobile Edit by Batfobile Dlamini and Wels Craft by Welile Dlamini.
Each designer will unveil their collection during the Luju Fashion Runway, one of Southern Africa’s premier platforms showcasing established and emerging African fashion talent.
#Luju2026 #FarEastTextiles #FashionProgramme #Kwasukasukela #EswatiniFashion #CreativeEconomy #StandardBankLuju #EatSwayLove
(Courtesy Pic)
