South Africa’s Top designers and models are strutting their stuff at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Jo’burg, which kicked off on Wednesday.

This year’s event will see internationally acclaimed designer Gavin Rajah showcasing his elegant apparel, which has graced the pages of such influential fashion magazines as Vogue and Avant Garde.

The South African, who designed the wedding dress worn by local beauty Lee-Ann Liebenberg, joins a lineup of local designers including Thabani Mavundla (formerly of Stoned Cherrie), Danielle Margaux, Black Coal Clothing, Wild Fig, Mosewamosa, Loin Cloth & Ashes, Avant and Grapevine.

Having recently returned from New York, where he presented his Glam Intersection collection to much acclaim, local fashion luminary David Tlale may have been bemused to hear that he would occupy an earlier time slot on Friday, as he makes way for the talented Thula Sindi in the coveted late night spot.

Mercedes-Benz has taken over as the title sponsor of the event. The Automobile Manafacturer is also sponsoring Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Cape Town, and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Africa. African Fashion International will continue to run the event as usual.

“In partnering with Mercedes-Benz South Africa and Hyde Park Corner, we believe AFI has raised the international bar for Fashion Week in Jo’burg,” said African Fashion International’s executive chairperson, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, according to the Mail and Guardian.

Mercedes-Benz sponsors similar events in New York, Stockholm, Moscow, Sydney, and Brisbane, in keeping with its general involvement in the global fashion network.

“The support includes funding some of the event and a synergy effect between Mercedes-Benz and fashion as a whole. With our partnerships around the world, we can leverage and use that network to make a connection between South Africa, New York and Berlin,” said Dr Martin Zimmermann, President and CEO, Mercedes-Benz South Africa.

Watch the Joburg event’s Media Launch Below.