West Rand fashion industry to get a boost
'Tourists want to buy clothing that is designed and produced here, not in China.'
The fashion industry on the West Rand is encouraged to be truly South African.
This was the message to local fashion designers and stakeholders within the clothing, textile, leather and footwear industry (CTLF) during a meeting in the Imbizo Chamber at the West Rand District Municipality (WRDM).
It was hosted by the Gauteng Fashion Council (GFC) in collaboration with the Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED) and Sedibeng District Municipality. GFC directors who attended were Lesego Malatsi – owner of Mzansi Designers Emporium, Vanya Mangaliso – owner of the Sun Goddess brand as well as Bontlefeela Mogoye, a fashion expert.
In her presentation, Francina Ntsimane from GDED stressed the need for the fashion industry to expand, design and produce clothing and products that are truly South African.
Tourists come to the West Rand and want to buy clothing that is designed and produced here, not from China. Our designs gets copied and the quality is no good. She said South Africans must do it for themselves, as the only people in the fashion industry who benefit are the big clothing stores. Fashion designers and everybody else in the fashion industry should stand together to ensure the growth of commercial fashion.
“There are so much talent and opportunities in our fashion industry. We should grab this opportunity with both hands and take the South African fashion industry to a new level.”
Residents of Randfontein, Mogale, Mohlakeng and Westonaria will be elected soon to form the Gauteng Fashion Council Forum within the West Rand District Municipality.
The purpose of the meeting also was to inform those involved in the clothing, textile, leather and footwear industry (CTLF) on the West Rand about the GFC and to meet all the designers within the West Rand District Municipality; to form a Gauteng Fashion Council Forum within the West Rand District Municipality; and to elect two stakeholders to represent the West Rand within the GFC Executive Committee.
Those interested in becoming Forum members must have at least five years’ experience within the CTLF industry, and those who wish to become stakeholder representatives within the GFC Executive Committee must have at least 10 years’ experience within the CTLF industry.
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