Fashion forum given the tailors’ green light

Fashion moguls and upcoming fashion designers, seamstresses, retailers and models from across Ekurhuleni met at the Boksburg Civic Centre Hall, recently, to establish a fashion forum.

The metro, in collaboration with the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, is on a drive to establish the Gauteng Fashion Forum for Ekurhuleni.

According to Themba Gadebe, the aim of the stakeholders’ meeting was to introduce the Gauteng Fashion Forum Committee (GFC) to industry players in Ekurhuleni, and to select a fashion industry role player to form part of the GFC executive committee.

“This will assist in developing a City of Ekurhuleni and GFC database, as well as establishing the Ekurhuleni Fashion Forum,” said Gadebe.

“The forum will assist in making contact with local business in Ekurhuleni, as well as communicating fashion programmes and projects to industry stakeholders.

“This will go a long way in Ekurhuleni being able to measure the impact and sustainability of such a forum by identifying new and existing small, medium and large business within this industry.

“Skills and industry gaps will also be identified and Ekurhuleni will then be in position to create skills development programmes.”

Gadebe said representatives from municipalities and province will make up the executive committee, and Ekurhuleni’s representative is Hannelie Swart, from its Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture.

The selected candidates are Lesego Molokane and Ntabiseng Xaba, interim members of the Gauteng Fashion Council, representing Ekurhuleni.

The interim directors are designers who are well established within the fashion industry: Anthony Malatsi (owner of the Mzansi Designers brand), Nandipha Mangaliso (owner of the Sun Goddess brand), Bontlefeela Mogoye (fashion designer), JJ Schoeman (owner of the JJ Schoeman brand) and David Tlale (owner of David Tlale brand).

Each will liaise with one municipality, in terms of coordinating the CTLF industry in Gauteng.

The metro will work with David Tlale, who launched his brand in 2013, winning the Elle New Talent in South Africa title. He has also been noted as the Best Designer by the Sunday Times.

According to Gadebe, the forum will assist designers to grow their brands locally and internationally and assist with local and export markets with Government and other entities funding these type of initiatives.

“The forum envisions to, at a stage, also negotiate for funds for community human capital investment, especially in the disenfranchised communities, for resources needed, fashion exhibitions and shows,” he said.

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