Inside the Writer-in-Residence Programme: Voices from Fashion_The Image

The Idea:

The Writer-in-Residence programme was a month-long opportunity for emerging creatives to engage with Fashion_The Image through research, writing, and direct access to the exhibition’s unique public programme. Designed for early-career practitioners working in fashion, photography, fine art and literature, the residency invited eight talented participants to immerse themselves in critical conversations surrounding African fashion photography.

The Writers:

Our co-hort included the following talented creatives: Anele Nyanda, Anele Turdon, Bella Makhubo, Melusi Masike, Michelle-Erin Sibiya, Timna Ngowapi, Warona Motshele and Zinhle Khumalo.

From left to right: Melusi Masike, Anele Turdon, Danijela Cook, Warona Motshele, Erica de Greef, Michelle-Erin Sibiya. Zinhle Khumalo, Timna Ngowapi, Bella Makhubo and Anele Nyanda

The Process:

Over four weeks, residents were given open access to talks, events, activations, and direct mentorship, creating a programme where their writing could develop alongside the exhibition itself.

Run in partnership with the African Fashion Research Institute (AFRI) and Wanted, the residency connected participants with experienced industry voices. Writers were mentored by Dr Erica de Greef from AFRI or Jennifer Krug from Wanted, who offered support in the development of their individual critical voice.

Across the residency, participants produced a wide range of responses that interrogated different aspects of fashion, image-making, and cultural production. Their essays reflected on how fashion photography shapes perception and contributes to broader cultural narratives. Collectively, the work highlighted the importance of fashion photographers not simply as documentarians of style, but as creative pioneers whose work captures moments that become part of cultural history. Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing each writer’s work and sharing their perspective, process, and engagement with the exhibition.

This opportunity was made possible by the National Arts Council with the support from AFRI, Wanted and the Inside Out Foundation.