
Newsletter No. 10 8 April 2016

The Cape Town Fashion Council relocates due to budget cuts
Cape Town – The Cape Town Fashion Council (CTFC) has announced that, after 10 years of residing in Cape Town’s Central Business District, they will be relocating offices as part of a series of cost-cutting measures due to a steady decline in government funding, as outlined in the latest Khulisa Report.
The CTFC has gained substantial momentum over the past decade – executing many successful initiatives and projects aimed at growing the fashion industry in the Western Cape and throughout South Africa with tangible results achieved. CTFC’s membership has increased substantially peaking above 1400 members (650 SMME designer members, 450 design student members, 70 media members and 250 industry members) and totals over 20 000 members across our social networks. The CTFC has assisted with the growth of multiple clothing, footwear and accessory designer labels over the past years by implementing and improving skills development, youth development, market development, enterprise development and product development.
“Over the past few of years alone, the CTFC has, with key partners, managed to assist over 650 SMME’s, expand over 100 businesses, host over 60 industry events and develop critical skills of more than 650 designer members. In addition, the Technology Station / Incubation space currently assists over 50 SMME’s per quarter. Unfortunately, as part of the relocation process, it will be shut-down until further notice – depriving many entrepreneurs in the industry of a vital resource” says CTFC CEO, Bryan Ramkilawan. “The CTFC will, however, continue to cultivate partnerships with leading fashion design schools in South Africa to ensure opportunities of skills development, exposure and ultimately job creation for the talented budding creatives in our country. With the launch of our export development programs, the CTFC is now taking South African fashion global.” Ramkilawan continues.
Regarding the manufacturing sector: the clothing and textile sector has continued its strong growth trajectory, with constraints felt by manufacturers in terms of capacity and experienced machinists. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has, since the introduction of the new clothing incentive, invested R1.261 Billion into the Western Cape apparel sector – representing 40% of the total incentives across South Africa. This is good news for manufacturers within the Western Cape as it indicates that the beleaguered clothing and textile industry has turned the corner, and is now on an upward growth path in which CTFC has played a crucial and important role as an industry representative body.
Strategically, with the forward outlook and investment by Western Cape Government and City of Cape Town, CTFC is at the forefront of this turnaround through having formed valuable partnerships with Design Indaba. Over 40 designers generated sales of more than R3 800 000 over the four days of the expo in the past 3 seasons. In addition, designers were exposed to 208 international and 465 local buyers. The activities of the CTFC have directly contributed to Cape Town climbing up the rankings of fashion capitals, moving from 48th to 27th place over the year, and being recognised as the number one fashion capital in Africa.
“CTFC’s role in the CTFL industry is critical now more than ever, specifically in the Western Cape and South Africa, since the industry’s challenge is in the indebtedness of households. This has a negative impact on consumer spending, particularly in relation to clothing,” Ramkilawan concludes. “With the decrease in funding, the CTFC has been forced to shut down its Technology Station / Incubation Space which directly affects competitiveness and job-creation of some 200 SMME’s in the Western Cape Province.”
9-10-11 July 2016: Mode City and Interfilière to be held in Lyon
With the Final of the Euro 2016 scheduled for 10 July in Paris, and obvious ensuing restrictions placed on the logistics and organisation of trade fairs, Eurovet has decided to move Mode City and Interfilière to Lyon for the July 2016 session.
The impact of such a large-scale event on hotel occupancy, airlines and taxis, as well as the considerable rise in prices already observed in accommodation near the Porte de Versailles exhibition park where the journalists from the Euro Press Centre will be staying, prompted us to consult a number of visitors and exhibitors accounting for over half the exhibiting area. This consultation showed that most exhibitors and Eurovet wanted above all to facilitate matters and service for their clients, leading to this decision whereby these two leading shows in the worlds of summer intimates and beachwear will be moving back to the city of Lyon – where they originated – for 2016.
The shows left Lyon for Paris in 2008. In the meantime Lyon has increased its hotel capacity and accessibility, providing the conditions and the occasion for players in the industry to restore the affectionate ties with this city with its friendly reputation.
Ideally located as a European hub, linked by roads to many nearby countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and Spain) Lyon is also a centre for textiles, arts and culture, hosting well-known international events such as the Biennale de la Danse and the Light Festival. It boasts museums with futuristic architecture like the Musée des Confluences which opened just last year, thus offering various sources of inspiration in 2016 for designers and buyers from all over the world.
It is also a city that the Eurovet staff know well, having long organised Mode City and Interfilière there, and continuing to organise Sport Achat. The global intimates and beachwear community were also well used to it, which considerably smooths the move for 2016, with support from the Eurexpo Exhibition Park, the Greater Lyon City Council, and local stakeholders in business tourism. They are all working hard in the spirit of the “Lyon Welcome Attitude” approach to make sure that this unexpected experience in 2016 will be a time for encounters holding out plenty of promise for great energy and new drive.

Coutre collections to grace the catwalk in the Vaal
VEREENIGING, Gauteng – Top designer collections from well known Southfrican fashion houses are set to grace the 2016 Matric Farewell Showcase catwalk on the 16th and 17th of April 2016 and promises to inspire Matriculants far and wide who are on the hunt for the perfect dress and all the details that go with attending the highlight of their school year, their Matric Farewell.
Three Elite Designer Fashion Shows and a beauty make-over workshop presented by Armand du Plessis, Mr South Africa 2015 will be coordinated by Stylist and Fashion Director Michael Veldsman. Michael was born in the Vaal and moved to the “Big City” to pursue his passion for fashion 17 years ago establishing himself in the South African Music, TV and Fashion industries styling countless South African “A” listers while working as Head Stylist for the South African Music Awards, MetroFM Awards and Skouspel.
Matriculants and parents will be treated to fashion shows of note showcasing collections that have only been seen by those attending SA Fashion Week including Anel Botha’s Miss South Africa collection as worn by the recent 2016 Miss South Africa finalists. Anel is well known for her red carpet designs, evening gowns and her celebrity wedding gowns and has dressed many of South Africa’s “Who’s Who” resulting in her winning numerous fashion awards.
Conference rooms at the BON Hotel Riviera on Vaal will host an array of local and regional suppliers displaying their wares from dress designers, beauty experts, make-up artists, designer shoes, evening gowns, suits, cosmetics and luxury items such as jewelry and classic cars for hire all under one roof over one weekend. Visitors will not only be able to find ideas and inspiration for both guys and girls but will also have the opportunity to buy merchandise on the spot or use a supplier discount voucher for their Matric Farewell after the weekend.
The Matric Farewell Showcase presented by Sure Global Travel in partnership with OFM, BON Hotel Riviera on Vaal and Synergy Production House will be held at the exquisite BON Hotel Riviera on Vaal on Saturday the 16th of April from 10h00 to 21h00 and Sunday the 17th of April from 10h00 to 17h00 and is the ultimate event for any Grade 11 and Grade 12 student and parents with an excellent opportunity to win magnificent Matric Farewell prizes.
The Elite Designer Fashion Show starts at 11h00 and at 18h30 on the Saturday and at 11h00 on the Sunday with the Beauty Make-over Workshop starting at 15h00. Tickets are limited due to space and are R100.00 per person available from Sure Global Travel located at the BON Hotel Riviera on Vaal on Mario Milani Drive, Vereeniging or at the ticket counters on the day of the event. Contact Sure Global Travel on info@sureglobaltravel.co.za or 0861 000 748
A NEW FAIR WHERE THE LATEST COLORS AND DESIGNS WILL BE EXHIBITED BY FABRIC AND ACCESSORIES MANUFACTURERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD
FABRIC İSTANBUL
Fabric İstanbul; Fabrics, Trims and Accessories Fair (27 -30 April 2016) emerging as a new sale and marketing platform for the industry to reach new markets.
All different kind of fabric products such as Cotton-Type Fabrics, Polyester Fabrics, Artificial Leather, Functional Fabrics and various types of clothing accessories such as buttons, ribbon, shawls, belts will be exhibited in the Fabric İstanbul Fair.
Power Of Synergy: Fabric İstanbul is together with the Clothing Summit 2016
Fabric İstanbul Fair will be held concurrently with the Clothing Machinery 2016 which is the 25th Edition of the world’s biggest Clothing Machinery Fair in 2016.
The synergy of this partnership gives clothing industry manufacturers the opportunity to find fabrics, machine, trims and accessories together.
Clothing Machinery Fair that brings garment industry together could be named as Clothing Summit 2016. This industrial exhibition increases the competitiveness of garment industry, provides a major contribution to reach new markets and gives direction to the significant investments. The last edition of the fair has been visited by 40,729 professionals from 67 countries in 2014. The fair is aiming to repeat once again its success by increasing its local and international visitor numbers in 2016 edition.
Be held concurrently with the Clothing Machinery 2016, Fabric İstanbul Fair will attract thousands of apparel manufacturers and purchasing authorities from Turkey, Europe and neighboring countries. By this way it will be the most effective fabric exhibition of the region.
Fabric İstanbul Fair will host buyer delegations that carefully selected from various countries of Eurasian Geography to create new international trading opportunities
For detailed information about the fair which will provide new supply opportunities for the apparel industry , please visit www.fabricistanbulfair.com
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Did you Know…….
Goofy Garment laws
- Finally a US State who understands the importance of caring for your garments! In Kentucky, it is illegal to carry ice-cream in your back pocket!
- In 1922 a Washington DC law required bathing suits to be not shorter than 6 inches above the knee. You were arrested if you wore a shorter model…
- In Columbia, Maryland a law from the early 1900’s prohibits men from going topless on the Boardwalk.
- Did you know that in Carmel, New York a man can’t go outside while wearing a jacket and pants that do not match.
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Editorial Submission:
Please remember to send me your news so that we can share it with all our readers in the weekly newsletter.
Although editorial is neither guaranteed nor implied, suitable editorial for consideration may be submitted to:
Carla Finlay
carla@newsbriefs.co.za
0724055930