AnitaÌýHlazo

  • Fashion Designer
  • 2025 SPEAKER
  • ARTS
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Anita Hlazo is a Fashion Designer with clothing label Afrogrunge. Anita's narrative unfolds against the backdrop of Cape Town's diverse cultural tapestry, where she navigated the complexities of adolescence with a keen sense of individuality. Inspired by her surroundings and driven by a yearning for representation, Anita embarked on a journey that would redefine the boundaries of fashion and identity.

Fueled by a fervent passion for music, fashion, and self-expression, Anita seamlessly melded elements of black culture with the subversive allure of grunge. Embracing studs, piercings, and thrifted treasures, she forged a style that defied convention and celebrated individuality.

The catalyst for Afrogrunge emerged from Anita's quest for representation and accessibility. Faced with a dearth of spaces that resonated with her eclectic aesthetic, she resolved to become the change she sought. Armed with a degree in Fashion Design from the Cape Peninsula University of Cape Town, Anita embarked on a mission to redefine the fashion landscape.

Since its conception, the brand has worked on multiple projects over the years. Kicking off their journey with a showcase at South Africa Fashion Week in 2018, then working with musicians Moonchild Sannelly and Thandeka Mfinyongo. Afrogrunge has featured on Campaigns by Redbat, Shelflife in collaboration with Nikey twice and recently worked with TFG. Gracing magazines such as CosmopolitanSA, Vouge Italia, Mission Statement Magazine. She recently was part of a gallery exhibition at the NOW gallery focused on South African youth in 2023. She has engaged in panel discussions at Decorex Africa with TWYG Mag regarding the Circular Economy of Sustainable Fashion and recently part of a talk curated by Creative Nestlings with The Waterfront discussing the business of fashion amongst panelists Lukhanyo Mdingi, Mikael Hanan and Daniel Sher.

Afrogrunge isn't just a brand; it's a testament to the power of visibility and self-affirmation. Anita's journey of self-discovery intersected with pivotal encounters that shaped the trajectory of Afrogrunge.Ìý