Students from Villioti Fashion Institute Shine as Talent Meets Technology
The Lenovo Yoga 9i Launch & #BeTheCreator Fashion Showcase at the Villioti Fashion Institute was a groundbreaking celebration of creativity, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology
Hosted by charismatic media personality, Roxy Burger, this innovative event challenged fashion students to merge artistry with eco-conscious design, pushing the boundaries of traditional fashion.
Merging Sustainability and Heritage
Participants were tasked with designing red carpet or eveningwear pieces that not only embody sustainability—using upcycled or eco-friendly materials—but also reflected South Africa's rich artistic heritage. The designs incorporated cultural patterns, animal motifs, and iconic landscapes, creating a tapestry of innovation and tradition. The event also showcased the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1, a device that embodies creativity, functionality, and forward-thinking technology.
Celebrating Talent and Innovation
The competition culminated in a thrilling finale as three talented finalists competed for a suite of prizes. These included:
- A R4000 voucher to bring their designs to life.
- A three-minute video highlighting their creative journey.
- An exclusive feature on the Glamour South Africa platform.
- The grand prize: a state-of-the-art Lenovo Yoga 9i device for the winning designer.
This showcase highlighted how Lenovo’s technology fosters imagination, sustainability, and cultural storytelling, offering a glimpse into the future of fashion design.
As part of the judging panel, iconic designer Spero Villioti and media mogul Somizi Mhlongo joined us in evaluating the students’ impressive creations. The competition highlighted not only the innovative capabilities of the Yoga 9i but also the exceptional creativity of South African talent.
We caught up with the three finalists ahead of the announcement to get insight into their creative process.
Meet Tatiana Argirys
“The first thing that came to mind when I heard about the competition was how beautiful Lenovo’s landscape wallpapers are. They sparked the image of a South African sunset—warm, heartwarming, and unmatched. Drawing inspiration from this, I created a dress using sustainable hessian, a plant-based material, for panels representing grass. I painted a warm sunset with elephants walking into the horizon, adding sparkles for a touch of glamour. This was my first competition, and designing without input from my lecturers was a new, exciting challenge. I loved working with hessian, even though it made me sneeze! I also learned to paint—something I’d never done before—and watching my design come to life has been incredible. Seeing others appreciate my work has been heartwarming, and I’m so grateful for this experience.”
Meet Kutloano Keseamang
“I was inspired by the Garden Route and Cape Town’s winelands. To me, they reflect how God is the root of everything and pays attention to even the tiniest details. I used linen for its lower environmental impact compared to cotton, and dyed it with matcha powder to avoid synthetic dyes and microplastics. I’d describe my style as chaotic but intentional—I commit fully to my ideas and strive to bring them to life as envisioned. Transitioning from paper-based creativity to technology was a learning curve, but co-creating alongside technology was an enriching experience. My advice to young creatives is: just put yourself out there! Even if you don’t win, the connections you make could change your life.”
Meet Sonja De Wet
“My design uses vintage fabric from my grandmother’s closet, upcycled into a new creation. She inspired me to study fashion—it was her dream—and fashion is a family passion. I was motivated by the issue of rhino poaching, which has faded from public attention but remains critical. I started my design process with art, which I’ve always used to generate ideas. Technology allowed me to develop those ideas into garments, transforming art into fashion. My style is simple, elegant, and timeless, but I add a unique twist with my art. Bringing my vision to life has been the most rewarding part of this journey.”
After much deliberation, Tatjana’s sunset-inspired dress emerged victorious. While the competition was tight, all three finalists showcased incredible talent and innovation, proving they are all winners in their own right.
