CONVERSE CONTINUES TO SUPPORT YOUNG CREATIVES IN CREATING THEIR NEXT
Global footwear company brand Converse has recently awarded Thato Chosa Ché Bernardo (21) and Ginelio Da Silva (22) as the recipients of the 2022 All Star Projects Program. Through this partnership, the young emerging creatives received tools in assisting to create their next by executing two concepts of their desired disciplines in Cape Town and Pretoria.
Through its passion for the youth, Converse has created a global accelerator program that invests in directly supporting creatives who are passionate about growing their creative disciplines in music, art, sustainability, fashion and sport, and constantly breaking boundaries through their next.
After the global announcement last year, Converse South Africa received applications from a myriad of young emerging creatives, ultimately selecting Thato Chosa Ché Bernardo (21) and Ginelio Da Silva (22) as the appointed creatives to showcase the brands narrative.
The winning concept by Thato Chosa Ché Bernardo aims to celebrate creatives and creates a self-sustaining micro industry that will enable young emerging creatives to grow through themed events titled ‘Growth’, ‘Rebirth’ and ‘Transformation’. The events will be executed with the creative collective CRATES, This multi-disciplinary creative is motivated to build a space where other creatives can also grow.
“I believe in the growth and exposure of the creative community rather than just individual success, especially in South Africa. South African Creatives need to band together to improve the standards of the industry and reframe how they are perceived and represented. I call myself ‘The Creator of Worlds’ in the hopes that I can move the boundaries of the industry in South Africa and create the space for emerging creatives to thrive,” says All Star Project Program recipient, Thato Chosa Ché Bernardo.
The event will take place at the Botanik Social House in Cape Town on the 30th of July 2023. Tickets to the event can be purchased here.
On the 19th of August, Ginelio De Silva is taking a bold move through music and fashion through a festival titled COTERIE, set to take place in Pretoria at the African Beer Emporium.
“The project addresses the need for connectedness and bringing people from different backgrounds together, it also addresses the need for opportunities and exposure for new artists and creatives in their fields;” says recipient Ginelio De Silva.
This festival is set to have various artists across various genres and backgrounds with the hopes of bringing different audiences together who have a shared love for music in one space. This platform will also give an opportunity for young and upcoming artists in music and fashion to showcase their clothes on these festival stages.
“After five years I hope the project will have impacted multiple artists and designers careers helping them grow, furthermore, I hope the project will inspire other promoters and event organizers to give opportunities to new artists who deserve to be given a break;” he adds.
FOLLOW THE ALL STAR PROJECT:
Instagram: @converse.za
Twitter: @converse_ZA
CRATES by Thato Chosa Ché Bernardo
Instagram: @crat3s
COTERIE by Ginelio De Silva
Instagram: @coterie.za