Students Siviwe Ngcuwe, Sonwabo Nkosi, Snegugu Ntshingila, Lathitha Poswa and Sphamandla Somerset have been selected as finalists in this competition, facilitated through SA Fashion Week and open to fashion institutions across South Africa.
From left, Siviwe Ngcuwe, Sonwabo Nkosi, Snegugu Ntshingila, Lathitha Poswa and Sphamandla Somerset
The selection process included the submission and assessment of storyboards, with the final selection taking place directly at Pierre Cardin headquarters in France.
The five Mandela University finalists will travel to Johannesburg to attend SA Fashion Week for five days. Their programme will include workshops, fashion shows, behind-the-scenes access and an awards evening, where the overall winner will be announced.
The winner will receive the opportunity to spend a three-month internship at the Pierre Cardin Atelier in Paris, including accommodation, a stipend, an internship salary of £1 000 per month and all travel expenses.
Lathitha Poswa and Brennan Stroud
Adding to this achievement, Lathitha Poswa is also a finalist in the BERNINA Dress Your Style 2026 Competition, together with fellow Mandela University student Brennan Stroud.
The BERNINA competition will culminate in a live “sew-off” final, where finalists will be challenged to construct garments under tight time and creative constraints.
The prize package is valued at between R80 000 and R100 000, comprising sewing machines and equipment.