AFRICA'S biggest fashion showcase, Africa Fashion Week, officially started yesterday. The three-day fashion treat features designers based both in South Africa, mainland Africa and the diaspora - with more than 30 designers. The event attracted a generous number of celebrities yesterday, including actors, musicians and politicians. Designers KLUK CGDT, Marianne Fassler, Mataano, Tart, Stefania Morland and Alexander Kounty opened the bill.

What was interesting this year was a generous use of ethnic models, some of whom are international faces, including those with exotic features, which always adds flavour to a fashion show. South Africa's KLUK CGDT was the first to showcase and opened the show with an extremely well-thought out collection that received a standing ovation.

The collection started out with muted palettes on see-through garments, but soon gave way to bright colours, with some featuring glitter, on to black and white hues. If one were to use day one of the show as a measuring stick, then the standard seems to have gone up from last year's.

Today will see exhibitions from Gloria Wavamunno, Kiki Clothing, Lalesso, Maki OH, Christie Brown, Duaba Swera and local designer Thula Sindi. But the most anticipated shows are David Tlale's and Nigeria's London-based Bummi Koko tomorrow.