IN the words of Alexander Berkman, “social revolution means the reorganization of the industrial, economic life of the country and consequently also of the entire structure of society.” The KwaZulu-Natal Fashion Council says South Africans need to buy more locally produced clothes and is also calling on big retailers to give local designers opportunities.
Speaking at a Business Arts Breakfast, hosted by the Alliance Francaise in collaboration with Intellectual Property Exhibition on Thursday, Palesa Kwitshana, the Managing Director, KZN Fashion Council said the creative industry is one of the major employers of women and the youth. The industry also makes a massive contribution to the economy.
“We need a social revolution in this country. It is high time we start supporting local designers. As South Africans, we need to wear more locally produced clothes and big retailers must also give a platform to our local designers. As a council, we have programs in place aimed at unlocking talent from all corners of the province, we also facilitate with mentorship programs for up-and-coming designers which are conducted by locally established creatives. Another aspect we are also looking at is how to ensure that creatives make a proper living from their art,” said Kwitshana.
The KwaZulu-Natal Fashion Council was established in 2009 as a non profit company (section 21), in response to the need to support the fashion design sector, through a strategic partnership between the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism (KZNDEDT) and the eThekwini Municipality’s Economic Development and Investment Promotion Unit. The KZNFC is governed by a Board of Directors who provide strategic guidance.
The KZNFC invokes a comprehensive and sustainable multidisciplinary approach that supports the continuous creative and economic development of the fashion and design sector. Much of the work of the KZNFC is premised on ensuring that strategic partnerships, collaboration and linkages are established with local and international institutions, retailers, business leaders, manufacturers, (CMT’s) and all tiers of government.
For information on the council visit https://www.kznfc.co.za/AboutUs
