African Designer Lukhanyo Mdingi Wins 2023 Amiri Prize, Set to Expand Brand in the US

Mdingi awarded $100,000 and year-long mentorship as part of prestigious prize, plans to leverage win to build brand awareness and develop wholesale network in the US.

• South African designer Lukhanyo Mdingi was selected as the winner of the prestigious 2023 Amiri Prize, receiving $100,000 and a year-long mentorship program which he plans to use to expand his brand in the United States.
• Mdingi's ethic of collaborating with local South African artisans matches the ethos of the Amiri Prize, capturing the attention of jury members like Mike Amiri, the founder of the prize.
• The Cape Town-based designer, who started his brand in 2015 after studying at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, impressed the jury with his distinct luxury pieces and intricate designs, produced in Africa.
• Mdingi's mentorship under the prize is aimed at maintaining his commitment to local craft, while building a strong foundation to scale his business and develop his U.S. expansion.
• After establishing a retail partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue in 2022, Mdingi aims to connect with the Black and African community in the U.S., and continue the brand's involvement with the celebration of young Black designers in the US.

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