“VUT fashion students gain practical industry exposure through a three-day fashion programme connecting education, creativity, entrepreneurship and career opportunities..”
07 October 2026 | Story by: Sadiki Siphiwe | Picture: Siphephelo Dlamini
4 minutes read time.
Vaal University of Technology (VUT) students stepped beyond the classroom and into the fashion industry during a three-day fashion development programme held from 1 to 3 October 2026, creating opportunities for practical learning, networking and career development.
The three-day fashion development programme formed part of the broader Vaal River Carnival initiative, a partnership between Emfuleni Municipality, Fashion Without Borders and Vaal Mall. The programme was hosted by VUT Student Life and Governance in partnership with the Human Sciences Visual Art and Design Department. It brought together students, emerging designers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs and creative practitioners.
The programme began with the Fashion Without Borders Unpacked Masterclass at the VUT Conference Centre before moving to Vaal Mall for two fashion showcases. Sponsored by Proudly South African, the Masterclass exposed students to fashion, entrepreneurship, modelling, business development and opportunities within the creative economy.
Mr Sipho Nkosi from VUT Student Life and Governance said the initiative provided students with valuable exposure beyond the classroom.
“Our students need opportunities where they can take what they learn in the classroom and apply it in real situations. When we bring industry into the student experience, we help students understand the standards, discipline and opportunities that exist beyond the university.”
Industry expert Mr Greg Walls encouraged students to understand the business side of fashion, while Mr Mpumelelo Dlamini, designer and founder of By Ezokhetho, urged young designers to turn their creativity into sustainable opportunities. Mr Rivaldo Louwe, designer and founder of Waldo and a programme judge, encouraged students to develop their own creative identities.
The Masterclass also featured Dr Jabu Stone, who spoke about hair as a business and its connection to fashion and beauty, while Ms Julian Koaho from the Small Enterprise
Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) shared information on funding opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs.
Mr Serge Kabisoso, founder of Fashion Without Borders, highlighted the importance of professionalism in modelling.
“Modelling is a profession, and it must be treated as such. Confidence is important, but so are punctuality, discipline, preparation and the ability to work with others,” he said.
The programme also strengthened private-sector involvement through the participation of Ms Nicola Kotze and Mr Thabo Kgomongoe from the Vaal Mall marketing team. The first showcase was opened by Ms Susan Gormen from StarMotor OMODA & JAECOO, while Mr Bongani Mamba, a fine artist, contributed through a live painting activation.
The showcases featured the VUT Collective and emerging community designers, giving students the opportunity to present their work to the public and experience the demands of a professional fashion event.
For Ms Aysha Kunene, a first-year Diploma in Fashion student at VUT, the experience provided an important introduction to the industry.
“As a first-year student, this experience has shown me that fashion is much bigger than what we learn in the classroom. Being exposed to industry professionals has given me confidence because I can see that the career I am studying towards is real,” stated Ms Kunene.
The programme was supported academically by Prof Van Staden, Head of Department, Mrs Ilani Wilkin and Ms Angelica Laba, who highlighted the importance of practical industry exposure in preparing students for life beyond university.
Prof Van Staden said: “Industry exposure gives students an opportunity to apply their knowledge, build networks and develop the confidence required beyond graduation.”
The initiative was supported by OMODA & JAECOO, CHERY, Standard Bank, Telkom, Milady, The Fix, Foschini, Gauteng Tourism, Proudly South African and Vaal Mall, demonstrating the value of partnerships between higher education, business, government and the creative sector.
For VUT, the programme was about more than fashion. Students gained exposure to event coordination, production, design presentation, marketing, stakeholder engagement, modelling and entrepreneurship, helping them develop practical skills alongside their academic knowledge.
As Mr Kabisoso noted, “We do not want young people to remain spectators in the creative economy. We want them to become designers, entrepreneurs, models, producers and business owners.”
The three-day programme demonstrated the power of connecting education with industry. For VUT students, the runway became a platform not only to showcase creativity, but to build confidence, establish networks and imagine themselves as future professionals.
As the final models left the runway, the lasting achievement was the opportunity created for young people to take their first steps towards the careers they are preparing for. The programme showed that when talent is given a platform, guidance and industry access, the journey from classroom to career can begin long before graduation.