Cape Town-Based Designer Lukhanyo Ddingi Wins The AMIRI Prize 2023
Cape Town-Based Designer Lukhanyo Ddingi Wins The AMIRI Prize 2023. AMIRI is pleased to announce that the Cape Town-based designer Lukhanyo Ddingi is the winner of the 2023 edition of The AMIRI Prize. Lukhanyo was selected from a group of nine finalists by AMIRI founder Mike Amiri and a panel of contemporary visionaries and entrepreneurs. The prize includes a year-long mentorship and a grant of 100,000 USD.
Born in 1992, Lukhanyo Mdingi established his eponymous fashion line in Cape Town, South Africa in 2015. Fundamental to his work is the collaboration with local artisans, as he harnesses their know-how and expertise with his distinct design approach. The label continues to strike a chord on the international stage with multiple accolades while celebrating this local community’s human ingenuity and cultural significance.
“We’re incredibly thankful to The AMIRI Prize, its Jury Committee and Mike Amiri for the immeasurable opportunity extended to the Lukhanyo Mdingi label, we look forward to receiving the fundamental guidance needed to steadily grow our Independent Business & Vision.” said Lukhanyo Mdingi.
Lukhanyo Mdingi’s eponymous label is an ever-evolving emergence of consideration, community and timeless design. Established in Cape Town, South Africa in 2015, the label exists as a space that moves deeply into the very essence of human ingenuity and the preservation of craftsmanship. Fundamental to the cosmology of Lukhanyo Mdingi, is the exploration of fashion as its current lexicon through which they harness the spirit of being human. In this way, the label re-imagines and reinstates dignity and notoriety in their garment production with a small team based in Cape Town, while continually collaborating with artisans on the continent such as the expert weavers from PHILANI in Khayelitsha, Cape Town to textile artisans at CABES GIE in Burkina Faso.
“This year’s talent was exceptional, and it was difficult to select a frontrunner, but Lukhanyo’s vision and approach stood out to all of us. His recent collections have seen him fine-tune a singular aesthetic and sensibility, but just as commendable is the purpose behind what he does — for his wider community and culture – and this resonates with serious brand potential.” said Mike Amiri.
