EL designer to be a game changer

Zinzi May is among the 15 finalists of the Cointreau programme which aims to empower young women in the creative industry. PICTURE SUPPLIED
Zinzi May is among the 15 finalists of the Cointreau programme which aims to empower young women in the creative industry. PICTURE SUPPLIED
East London-born graphic designer Zinzi May is among 15 finalists selected to pitch creative ideas to Cointreau, the French liqueur producer which has brought the international competition to South Africa for the first time this year.

Female creatives within art, music, design, film, food or even cocktail industry have been afforded an opportunity to apply for a grant of R100000 which will be awarded to the winner to see their ideas come to life.

The Cointreau Creative Crew, which judges the competition, is made up of influential “game-changing” women who are independent, chic and fabulous and who have been doing well for themselves in the creative industry.

Cointreau media liaison officer Paula Wilson said the crew had been judging and mentoring young women who had been selected as part of the programme.

May, 30, said her idea, Ft. (Featuring), was a business she recently registered to give creatives a platform to embrace their skills and professionalise them.

“Ft. aims to connect prospective clients and emerging creatives. Creatives will register and upload their professional portfolios and link their social media pages.

“I want to have a collaboration of creatives, from writers to photographers…and give them the platform to exercise and exhibit their talents and afford them the relevant resources to expand on what they believe in, by promoting them.”

May said her experience with Colours of Youth, an events company, had opened her eyes to the need to create a platform for creatives.

“The experience has been really cool so far, because I have expanded my network base and I am looking forward to going through training.”

Winners will be announced on April 4 in Cape Town. — mbalit@dispatch.co.za

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