LINDIWE KUZWAYO ACADEMY OF FASHION

The academy was established 1n 1986 as a private institution of Clothing Production and Design with the aim of reechoing the latent talent our people have but lack places to study at tertiary level to explore designing as a career. It is a unique Fashion School where the director is a renowned International Fashion Designer and Couturier whose creations have appeared on both local and international runways.The objective at the Lindiwe Kuzwayo Fashion Academy is to apply the highest standards in all programs so that students are best prepared in all aspects of the fashion field. Being very active in her own career as a Fashion Designer & Couturier, Lindiwe Kuzwayo teaches her students the latest and forthcoming trends and techniques of the fashion world. The academy has a fun filled atmosphere that is welcoming even to a novice.The graduates of the Academy go to industrial employment and many are self employed.

The college is a member of the Association of Private Providers of Education, Training  & Development sine 1993.

The academy is situated in the heart of Durban City in the province of KwaZulu Natal. It is directed by Lindiwe Kuzwayo. The academy takes both full time and part time students.

Mission Statement

Lindiwe Kuzwayo Academy of Fashion Design believes in quality, applying the highest standards in all its courses.

Courses

Full Time Courses

One year Certificate course or two year Diploma course.  Classes are held from MONDAY – FRIDAY between 09h00 and 15h00.

Part Time Courses

Two year Certificate course or three year  Diploma course.  Classes are held on SATURDAYS between 09h00 and 13h00.

Curriculum

CERTIFICATE COURSE IN CLOTHING DESIGN & PRODUCTION

1. History of Costume.
2. Style Interpretation of Clothing Construction.
3. Fashion Sketching.
4. Pattern Grading.
5. Fabric Appreciation.
6. Pattern Drafting for men, women and children’s wear.
7. Millinery.
8. Garment Technology
9. Garment Construction.
10. Business Management Skills.

DIPLOMA COURSE IN CLOTHING DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Exit Level Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to;

• Select appropriate fabric suitable to the garment’s design.
• Design and sketch appropriate garment designs suitable to the market  or customer.
• manipulate , drape or draft patterns to create accurate garment patterns.
• Lay perfected patterns correctly and economically onto markers or fabric.
• Cut fabric correctly making use of appropriate tools.
• Use various sewing techniques to construct garments.
• Fit garments on various body types and be able to make the proper adjustments.
• Grade the finished patterns into various sizes.

Entry Requirements

• National Senior Certificate or equivalent .
• Grade  10-12 or  equivalent.
• R.P.L

Creative and personality assessment and personal interview is arranged.

Assessment

Monthly assessments tests are written to evaluate the students progress.  Marks obtained in these are used to calculate the year marks.  Half Yearly Theory and Practical Examinations are conducted to assess the student’s progress in June. This is followed by a three week holiday during which progress reports are sent to parents/ guardians/ sponsors.Final examinations are written at the end of the course.

Fabrics for mock-ups or samples are provided by the college.  As part of the course students must participate in the Graduation Fashion Show with their fashion show ranges. Professional models are hired by the Academy to model these garments at prestigious venues e.g.Durban City Hall.

Certificates are awarded to those who have successfully completed the course.

Lectures

Lectures are conducted in spacious workrooms, equipped with modern machines.

A period is set aside every Friday for viewing the Academy’s large collection of fashion show video cassettes followed by discussions on current fashion trends.

A resource room packed with fashion books, magazines and journals is available for use by students.

Accommodation is available at various flats around Central Durban at reasonable prices.

Career Opportunity

Graduates can start off their own businesses as follows:

• Manufacture school and church uniforms e.g. tunics, shirts, and gowns for choir groups. etc.
• Open a fashion house or boutique.
• Specialize in bridal wear and make and / or hire out wedding gowns.
• Do patterns, grade and interpret styles and design without sewing.
• Selling their designs and patterns.

Student Participation

Students get involved in various fashion events like a few examples mentioned below :

Vodacom Durban July

The Vodacom Durban July is an event which takes place annually.  It starts with an invite for students to submit to the theme

e.g  Posh Oh My Gosh ! – 2013 Theme

The Big Screen  – 2014 Theme

Over the years Lindiwe Kuzwayo Academy students  have  participated on this show with some academy students designs reaching the final stages in different competitions. In 2014 five students were selected for the Young Designer Category Competition. One Academy student , Phindile  Phungwayo  scooped the Top Designer Award ahead of all the seasoned designers that participated for this prize.

Dundee July

The Dundee July is a horse riding race which takes place in Dundee Horseracing track in Endumeni Municipality in KZN. The event also affords aspiring fashion designers a platform to showcase their creations. The academy students also participate in this event’s fashion show.

 

SA Bridal Fashion Week

This is a week long showcase of bridal couture from leading fashion designers from Durban , Cape Town and Johannesburg. In 2014 academy student Thenjiwe Ngcobo outshone all other designers , scooping the first prize.

Bridal Courture Designer Competition

This competition took place in Richards Bay in 2014. Thenjiwe Ngcobo’s  wedding dress design won her the first prize .

 

Design Achiever Award

The Design Achiever’s Award scheme forms part of the SABC Design Institute initiative to promote design leadership among the youth. Finalists spent the Design Achievers Week presenting their bright ideas and attending workshops to equip them for the business world.

Design Achiever Awards – 2001

        Kwame Kuzwayo

To manufacture affordable and appealing school uniforms for schools in the Amazimtoti area and create job opportunities for the underpriviledged women of the community . The wealth obtained will be ploughed back into the community.

Design Achiever Awards – 2002     

Khanyisile Ndaba

To create the “Life Belt”, a unisex family device which will assist swimmers in distress. It is inflatable and designed like a waistcoat with front straps that act as support when the user is submerged in water.    

Design Achiever Awards – 2003      

 Nontsikelelo Shange    

Designed a ‘Pregnancy Cumberband’ that will assist women with pregnancy pains by massaging tense muscles and stimulating blood circulation.

Design Achiever Awards – 2004                              

Zama Zondo

Zama’s plan involved the development of the Prevention from Mother to Child Program (PMTCP) to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS. The PMTCP product is made from latex and is disposable. The product will prevent skin to skin contact between mother and child during the breast feeding stage.

Design Achiever Awards – 2005

Nonhlanhla Msomi

Panty Perfect is underwear for girls that have not yet started menstruating. The panty solves the problem of a girl starting her period in a public place and not being prepared for the event. It consists of thin layers of material that act as a gusset. These layers are removable and washable and will prevent embarrassment, should the girl start menstruating. The panties will be manufactured locally, creating jobs for the unemployed.

Design Achiever Awards – 2006

  Thuthukani Conco

Thuthukani designed Reflexology Sox. These are socks that massage the reflex areas of the foot through vibrations, improving blood circulation, relieving tension and stress and revitalising all bodily functions.

Design Achiever Awards – 2007

 Dindi  Zamadindi

She designed an ATM for the blind, making use of Braille and headphones to assist the blind person in withdrawing money from an ATM.

Design Achiever Awards – 2008

 Sfiso Nene

Sifiso developed The Alcohol Level Watch – a watch that will record the level of alcohol in a human’s system through a feedback indicator.Sifiso’s lecturer said: “Sifiso is a dedicated, hard-working and energetic student.”

Design Achiever Awards – 2009

Thembile Gumede

Thembile designed a low cost solar powered water filtration system to  give people in remote areas access to clean water.

Design Achiever Awards – 2010

Zamokuhle Mbuli

Zamokuhle developed a business concept to open a shop that will specialise in designing, creating and selling exclusive custom-made, high fashion womens clothes.

Design Achievers Award 2011 .

  Nduduzo Qwabe

Nduduzo aims to train youth and rural communities about the basic fashion design skills using cut off material from clothing manufacturing companies.