Top 5 Finalists for the International Fashion Exchange Program

Jul 28, 2022

Behind the shield

Top 5 Finalists for the International Fashion Exchange Program

Behind the shield

Jul 28, 2022

After receiving up to 700 applications from all across the motherland, the Jury selected a top 10, announced on 20 July. Thereafter, public voting began as a way to narrow down the applicants. Now, Bubblegum X Daily Paper is proud to introduce the top 5 finalists!

Adesewa Adeniyi


Adesewa has always aspired to work with Daily Paper ever since it was established in 2012. As the years have passed, their admiration for the brand has not dwindled but instead intensified. Adesewa states, “Daily Paper shifted my perspective on what is possible, building a community, crafting well-thought-through designs while maintaining quality, is all achievable.”

Riyaadh Ismail


Riyaadh Ismail began by upcycling unconventional materials into complete garments, and later creating smaller capsule collections. They’ve styled for music videos for the likes of AKA, as well as costume designing for people such as Pearl Thusi. In January 2021 Riyaadh founded Riyaadhs Yaad, a luxury streetwear brand with its core beliefs derived from Islam, and its main ideology stemming from South African culture story-telling through finely crafted, innovated garments.

Minenhle Memela & Malcolm Mokgope

Khumo Morojele


Khumo Morojele is a South African aspiring designer and creative director who grew up in the East of Johannesburg. Currently focusing on exploring and experimenting with new and innovative design approaches through sustainable practices and initiatives, where the narrative is expressed through photography, film and even the virtual world. Khumo recalls growing up and always being surrounded by creatives, whether it be their dad working in the film industry, their mom owning a womenswear boutique, or just hanging out with their friends that have a deep love for hip hop and clothing.

Kgothatso Phiri


The idea of being able to create something new in the fashion world is a constant objective for Kgothatso, but they believe there are certain foundation skills and knowledge that you need to learn within certain spaces and around certain people. Kgothatso states that, “being able to peek into a big brand such as Daily Paper may equip me with those foundation skills and knowledge that I will need in my fashion journey”.

We wanted to thank everyone who voted for our top 5 finalists. As well as everyone who applied for the internship, the Jury was very impressed by the submissions and overwhelmed by the positive responses.