Heni—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 laurels by winning the Smirnoff Fashion challenge, giving him the financial backing to start his signature label, Heni.Sponsored by the Levi’s brand, Heni showcased his S/S 03 collection at South African Fashion Week. Here, he was proclaimed 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 head designer and stylist.
In 2005, Heni produced a private showing of his S/S 06 collection in the Seychelles. This collection was presented to the Young Designer’s Emporium who went on to stock the Heni label nationwide in 2006. Proving his design abilities again, he won the Vodacom Durban July Fashion challenge and the Vodacom Credit Card Fashion Challenge in 2007.
Heni’s S/S 08 collection at Johannesburg Fashion Week was exceptionally well received by the media, press, and buyers, generating fantastic and widespread media and press exposure for the Heni label as well as securing more stores.
Crowned the ‘It boy of Fashion’ by Glamour magazine and being compared to Dior’s maverick John Galliano and voted second as one of South Africa's top Fashion Designers by Robyn Cooke, Heni Este-hijzen has firmly established himself in the South African fashion industry.
In light of his success at Johannesbur Fashion week, Heni was invited to showcase his A/W 09 collection as well as design a collection especially for the Audi sponsored show, a slot that was shared by some of South Africa's heavy weights, Gavin Rajah, Kluk CGDT, Craig Port and Hilton Wiener at Audi Joburg Fashion Week in January 2009. Both collections received a standing ovation and great reviews from Press and Buyers.
Meet the other designers:
Top Fashion Design Stars In South Africa during World Cup
The World Cup, Africa Fashion Week & Dax Martin
The World Cup, Africa Fashion Week & Fabiani
Fundudzi by Craig Jacobs, the World Cup & Africa Fashion Week
Suzan Heyns, the World Cup & Africa Fashion Week
Image Description : Heni
Location : SCC, Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa
Credit : Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
Text Courtesy & Copyright Africa Fashion International.
