Metro steps onto the catwalk to establish fashion forum

Interested role players in the fashion industry (such as clothing, design, seamstresses, retail, footwear, leather, modelling) are invited to to attend the stakeholders workshop on Wednesday, September 2, at the Boksburg Civic Centre Hall, from 10am to 3pm.

The Gauteng Fashion Council (GFC) is a provincial industry body which deals with clothing, textile leather and footwear (CTLF) in the province.

Funded by the provincial government, it will roll out projects within the CTLF sector in Gauteng and all municipalities in the region.

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

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. Ekurhuleni will work with David Tlale,” said metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe.

”He launched his brand in 2013, winning the Elle New Talent in South Africa award, and being recognised as the Best Designer by the Sunday Times.”

Stakeholders meeting

Gadebe added that the aim of the stakeholders meeting is to introduce the 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,” he said.

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

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

“Skills and industry gaps will also be identified and the city will then be in a position to create skills development programmes.

The following programmes are planned for the future:

* Entrepreneurs who haven’t yet established a business, but have talent. The venture creation programmes and creative skills programmes will assist in, for instance, designing, technical skills improvement and their business models.

* Assisting with improving products and designs according to the changing needs of the industry and in business management and related necessary skills development techniques.

“As an outcome of the above, the forum will assist designers to grow their brands locally and internationally, and assist with local and export markets (such as with government and other entities funding these type of initiatives).

“The forum envisions, at a stage, also negotiating for funds for community human capital investment, especially in the disenfranchised communities, such as for resources needed, fashion exhibitions and shows.

You can register to be a part of the stakeholder engagement on September 2 by contacting Busi Simelane on 011 999 8334, or by email at hannelie.swart@ekurhuleni.gov.za, or fax to 011 999 3357. You can also register on the day, from 9am to 10am.