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During Thursday’s last show, a model was subjected to heckling by a social-media “influencer”, who shouted: “Nipple! nipple! nipple!”
This was followed by bursts of laughter from his friends as the model walked past in a sheer black dress that was part of designer Thula Sindi’s collection.
In the superficial world of fashion, you are where you sit.
And the unruly guest continued to let those in his vicinity know throughout the show that what they were looking at were nipples.
One model was howled at as she walked past in a sheer white dress that exposed a thong, and models stared angrily at the anarchic group.
By the time it was Sindi’s turn to showcase his collection – one of the better ones shown this year – models were already walking their fourth show, struggling to balance in their heels on the runway.
This was met by giggles and taunts from the crowd – expecting, and almost begging, them to fall.
One model, during designer Spero Villioti’s show, removed her shoes halfway through her walk because the length of the dress and platform heels became too big a challenge.
This was met with applause from the audience.
This year, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe’s African Fashion International (AFI) – the owner and operator of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Joburg and Cape Town, as well as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Africa – celebrated a decade in the business.
Guests got to see this year’s Spring/Summer collections by designers such as Gavin Rajah, KLûK CGDT and David Tlali.
One would expect a perfectly choreographed catwalk with the seating arrangement for guests reflecting the social hierarchy.
But alas, the front row was cramped, with everyone squeezed like sardines.
And some people were crammed into a tiny section of the appointed marquee where guests had to move between shows.
It appears as if a younger, more social media-savvy crowd who can create instant publicity for designers is now given priority seating at such fashion events.
The front row was not reserved for the crème de la crème of the fashion world who include editors, buyers, sponsors and high-profile celebrities who wear branded clothing.
It was no longer for those wishing to have a better view of the work, but rather, an opportunity for so-called socialites and influencers to be snapped by photographers or get that perfect selfie that enabled them to post #FRow on social media.
“Levels!” exclaimed Noma Gigaba, the wife of Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba, to her heckling friends as she was moved from second to front row to sit with Moloi-Motsepe.
Her crew moved with her, disinterested in the fashion displayed on the runway and speaking so loudly, they drowned out the music the models were walking to.
As expected, careful planning had gone into according certain people front row seats.
But this year, attendees seated at the back moved to the front to squeeze next to whoever they knew; they even made themselves comfortable sitting on the steps.
This year, there were not as many high-profile celebrities in attendance, and few of those invited wore designer labels to the event.
Among the guests who did attend were rapper Khuli Chana, seated quietly with his partner, actress Asanda Maku; ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa; actress Nomzamo Mbatha; Metro FM’s Melanie Bala; and actor Vuyo Ngcukana.
