“Heni Este-hijzen trained at the prestigious London International School of Fashion after winning a bursary in November 1999. Excelling in his studies, he won numerous awards and graduated top of his class in 2002. In the same year Heni walked away with the Smirnoff Fashion challenge, giving him the financial backing to start his signature label, Heni.
Sponsored by Levi’s Heni showcased his spring/summer 2003 collection at South African Fashion Week. Here he was named one of South Africa’s Innovators of Fashion by Elle magazine.
Heni went on to gain experience across all aspects of the industry, working as a head designer and stylist. In 2005 Heni produced a private showing of his spring/summer collection in the Seychelles. This collection was presented to the Young Designer’s Emporium who consequently stocked the Heni label nationwide in 2006. Proving his design abilities again 2007, he won the Vodacom Durban July Fashion challenge and the Vodacom Credit Card Fashion challenge.
Showing at 2008 spring/summer Joburg Fashion Week and 2009 autumn/winter Audi Joburg Fashion Week resulted in an exceptional reception from the media and buyers. As a result Heni was also invited to design a second collection especially for the Audi sponsored show finale.”
~Bio by Heni via AFI
Photocredit: Simon Deiner/SDR Photo
Founded in 2007, Ladybrille® Magazine is a California based pioneer digital publication demystifying the image of Africans in the west through contemporary African fashion and celebrating the brilliant woman in business and leadership, with an emphasis on the African woman in the diaspora. Our coverage includes stories on capital, access to markets, expertise, hiring and retention, sales, marketing, and promotions.
