DAF Faculty
At the core of the DAF is our passionate academic team, driving our
mission of high-quality education with individual attention.
Bianca Fobian
managing director / HEAD OF DEPARTMENT
Passionate about the culture of life-long learning, Bianca Fobian has been at the helm of Design Academy of Fashion since 2006 as Managing Director.
She is a firm believer of self-actualized, future-focused students and, to this end, has created a curriculum and an environment that is conducive to self-development, holistic growth and fostering creativity.
Hannelore Olivier
Academic Head
Marli Fourie
Program Manager
Marli has an Honours degree in Fashion Design.
Intrigued by the Psychology of Fashion, she continues to explore the cognitive consequences of the clothing we wear.
As a lecturer, Marli intends to inspire young minds in the pursuit of fashion and self-expression. She aims to create a fun and safe environment for students to take intellectual and creative risks.
Nikki St Quintin
senior DESIGN lecturer
Nikki’s two decades of experience with DAF brings immense value to our curriculum and helps us maintain our high standards of excellence.
With the experience of teaching almost every subject at DAF, Nikki promotes the continuity between the creative and conceptual subjects and the technical and practical subjects.
Nikki received her BTech in Fashion from CPUT and continues to gain the first-hand experience through freelancing for a major South African fashion retailer. Nikki’s experience ensures our curriculum remains relevant and of an industry standard.
René Morrison
Garment Technology lecturer
Rene’s mastery in the technical art of garment construction and patternmaking comes from her extensive experience working in the studios of three of South Africa’s top fashion designers.
After starting her teaching career at DAF in 2007, she received her BTech degree in 2011.
Rene’s teaching style is characterised by her patient and thorough approach, particularly when it comes to the often challenging technical and practical subjects.
Petro Nel
Commercial lecturer
Petro has a BTech Degree in Textile Design & Technology and is in the process of completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education.
Petro has worked in the textile industry, as a freelance design consultant and as an educator within the creative industry. She is interested in the creative and practical processes involved in translating ideas into viable products and is passionate about helping students make these connections and developing their problem-solving abilities.
Leandi Mulder
DIGITAL FASHION LECTURER
Leandi Mulder is a fashion designer and educator who recently joined the Design Academy of Fashion as a lecturer.
With a BTech in Fashion from Durban University of Technology and a Master of Fashion Design and Innovation from the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, Leandi has a strong background in fashion and textile design. Her design approach emphasizes sustainability, ethics, and empowerment through fashion.
Leandi hopes to share her local and international experience and knowledge with the students of the Design Academy of Fashion.
Craig Fraser
illustration & colour theory lecturer
Support Team
Suzanne Aldridge
FINANCE MANAGER
Zikhona Qali
Head of Student wellness
Sumé Gilloway
REGISTRAR
Tsoanelo Mophuting
ADMINISTRATION & SHORT COURSES
Directors
Design Academy is led by a duo with a shared vision of transforming and developing Africa’s creative capital.
Bianca Fobian
managing director
Passionate about the culture of life-long learning, Bianca Fobian has been at the helm of Design Academy of Fashion since 2006 as Managing Director.
She is a firm believer of self-actualized, future-focused students and, to this end, has created a curriculum and an environment that is conducive to self-development, holistic growth and fostering creativity.
Luke Fobian
operations director
With 18 years of experience heading up Trend Forecasting and Fashion Design for major South African fashion retailers, Luke is most excited about building an innovative education platform that contributes to the future of African design.
With a desire to build a world-class platform for the next generation of talent, he is set on bridging the gap between students and the workforce
GET IN TOUCH WITH US
available from 9:00 – 16:30
Monday – Friday
Address The Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town, 7925
Email info@daf-academy.co.za