Past pupil: Eleni Labrou (2008)

Eleni graduated from LISOF (Leading International School of Fashion) in 2012, and after showcasing her graduate collection at the year-end fashion show, an AFI (African Fashion International) talent scout nominated her for the Fastrack competition.  Fashion graduates entered from across South Africa and Eleni was selected as one of the 12 finalists.  She impressed the Fastrack judges with her beautifully designed, ready-to-wear women’s wear graduate collection, and along with her enthusiastic approach to better understanding the business of fashion, Eleni was chosen as one of the three winners.

Eleni has had a wonderful response from the South African fashion industry since winning Fastrack.  Her clothes have been featured in many glossy magazines from Elle to Marie Claire and have become highly sought after.  As part of the prize, Eleni apprenticed under Felicity Spies, owner of the high-end fashion boutique Egality, and learned many valuable business lessons.

She recently established her label AKEDO.  This contemporary women’s wear brand brings to life Eleni’s design philosophy: beautiful craftsmanship, sophisticated design, always chic and often quirky.  The current collection makes its debut at AFI Fashion Week.  It was inspired by the precision and elegance of urban city architecture and uses a bold colour palette of reds, blacks and greens.  The grid pattern that features prominently in urban city architecture is translated into layered looks that are sophisticated and subtle whilst staying fresh and easily accessible to the modern South African woman. Congratulations, Eleni.