Daimler
Contemporary
Mercedes-
Benz Award
for South African Art and Culture 2009
Fashion Design
Mantsho
Maya Prass
David Tlale
Craig Native (Special Mentioning)'Native' is a streetware brand, launced in 2000 by Craig Native who hails from the Cape Flats. "My brand was inspired by the country's diverse mix of cultures, improvisation in everyday life, and the ghetto lifestyle," explains Craig.
Graphics play a large part in the collections, and are mostly derived from African iconic images like wild animals, vegetables, tribes like the Zulu, and other current social issues.
Craig has a tremendous passion for sport and would have been playing professional football, had it not been for a knee injury. His design ethic displays strong synergy between fashion, sport and the street.
His philosophy pays tribute to the average man in the street, who often goes unseen. His approach is quite social, political and humanitarian, but always fun and quirky - buying a Native garment "buys a little piece of Africa".
Recently Craig Native was asked to be a worldwide ambassador in design for Green Peace. He has won the Best Menswear and Most Promising Designer Award, and was featured in the Collezione Spring/Summer Sport and Street collection in 2006.
Mantsho
Maya Prass
David Tlale