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Levi’s launches Made & Crafted premium collection in SA

Levi’s has released a Made & Crafted premium collection in South Africa.

The Made & Crafted is the modern, premium expression range. This spring/summer 2019 collection combines the beauty and opulence of Russian architecture and clothing with the tradition and heritage of the American West.

The result is a lineup full of intricate embroidery, fringe detailing, and eye-catching Old West-style patterns – with a mix of Soviet-era styling, including 1990s colour-blocking.

“Craftsmanship is in our DNA; we use artful construction techniques to make each garment, and we source our fabrics from the best mills around the world. With a design ethos rooted in our iconic denim legacy, we’re constantly reimagining classic Levi’s style in a progressive way.”

Although the main focus is on the Russian rodeo, the collection was partly inspired by Moscow’s mix of blocky Soviet-era buildings and ornate, centuries-old architecture.

“Moscow has interesting hits of opulence and beauty throughout unexpected places, like chandeliers on the subway. So we wanted to celebrate that Russian heritage, and then mix it all with rodeo cowboy heritage, which is something that Levi’s is so well known for,” said Nick Rendic, Global Design director, Levi’s Made & Crafted.

The Levi’s Made & Crafted Collection is available in Levi’s retail stores in Canal Walk, Cavendish, Menlyn, Sandton and V&A Waterfront (re-opening in September).  Retail News

Ramaphosa: SARS taking the lead in curbing illegal Chinese clothing imports 

Bu Jan Cronje

President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised workers that government will do more to clamp down on the illegal importation of Chinese clothing and textiles which undercut locally manufactured goods.

Ramaphosa was addressing the national congress of the Southern African Clothing & Textile Workers’ Union in Durban on Monday.

“When we allow illicit goods to come in it undermines you, it undercuts you, and it destroys your jobs,” Ramaphosa said to applause.

Thousands of raids

In an hour-long address, Ramaphosa told delegates that the SA Revenue Service has been ramping up its investigative and enforcement capacity to better counter illegal clothing imports, which have contributed to job losses in SA’s clothing and textile industry. This forms part of the tax agency’s illicit economy unit, which is also seeking to disrupt the illegal tobacco and fuel trade.

Ramaphosa said that, between July and September, the revenue collection agency had conducted 2 500 raids searching for counterfeit and illegally imported goods. The raids had netted goods with an estimated value of over R1bn. He said many of the goods uncovered in the raids were clothes and textiles.

The president told delegates that Minister of Trade and Industry Ebrahim Patel had met with China’s ambassador to SA, as well as the country’s vice-minister of trade, to discuss illegal imports and under-invoicing of clothing and textiles.

Ramaphosa also said government would become more vigilant in enforcing ‘buy local’ procurement provisions to support the local clothing and textile industry.

“At times we have not been as vigilant as we should be, and we are now going to be more vigilant as we are getting cleverer and wiser by the day as an entrepreneurial state,” he said.

He told delegates that the the African Continental Free Trade Agreement – which will create the world’s largest free trade area once operational – would open the continent up to South African imports.

During his address Ramaphosa also said his apology to Zimbabweans over the weekend was necessary after xenophobic attacks tarnished South Africa’s international reputation.  Fin24

Foschnini launches all-woman concept store

Fashion group Foschini has opened an All Woman concept store in the newly renovated Fourways Mall.

This new store, designed with a wide entrance flanked by digital screens, not only offers locally and internationally produced fashion, beauty, footwear, and accessories but also a Candi & Co. hair salon.

“Digital shopping has gained traction, but South African women love a tactile shopping experience where they feel fabrics and try on garments. This store allows for easy access to the online store using connected tablets to enable customers to search and find different variations of garments such as size, range, and colour.”

“This ensures easy ordering where stock is unavailable. It’s the simplest, most convenient convergence of bricks and clicks,” said Pride Maunatlala, head of Marketing at Foschini.

Founded by entrepreneur Candice Thurston, Candi &Co is renowned for providing specialist care across all hair types in South Africa. The partnership between the haircare brand and Foschini is the first of its kind in South African retail.  Retail News

2019 FASHION SHOW “D’Urbania”

“We shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us”  Winston Churchill in GoodReads (2018)

Ladies garment Designer: Oso Cele    Model : Rose Jordan / Men’s-wear designer: Glacious  Lubisi   Model :Samkelo Shinga

Durban is an integral part of history that defines us – the allure of expensive beaches, fun fair rides of childhood joy, bunny chow, spicy delights and rickshaw races. We live in a city that has shaped us, inspired us and nurtured our creativity to set us on the journey of our own unique path. Durban has always been the holiday place to go… Our incredible mixing-pot of cultures and the urban unity of a city defined by its upbeat, friendly people who welcome all who venture here. From the ebb and flow of our warm waters, to the call to prayer, to the beauty of our handcrafted beachfront treasures – Durban has always stood apart. We pride our achievements on merit, on innovation and urban resilience.

Durban University of Technology’s, Department of Fashion and Textiles will hold its annual Fashion Show from the 2-4 October 2019 at The Station Event Space, 65 Masabala Yengwa (NMR) Avenue. The coveted event will showcase the designs of 43 third year students with the best 20 ranges showcased at the gala evening, on Friday 4 October.

This year’s panel of judges will include established personnel from the local fashion/design industry, and sponsored prizes will be awarded to the best designers in the categories of Most Innovative Range, Best Range on Show, Most Commercial Range, Best Menswear Range, Best Technical Student and a Special Recognition Award.

According to Gideon, the 3^rd year design lecturer and creative director, on this year’s Fashion Show theme, ‘with the rich diverse cultural history of our iconic city, Durban is a tapestry of history and stories that have defined generations and events and never accepts mediocrity as its norm’. Students were asked to look at their immediate surroundings of where they live, learn and laugh and how this has helped shape them and their lives into where they are now. We encouraged the students to challenge society’s set norms and strive to live with equality and respect in all aspects of both their lives and the world we share.

Meena Bagwandin, the third year pattern and garment technology lecturer shares that the show affords the students a platform to expose their current talent by meeting and fulfilling the theme of the show, with a strong focus on quality. The class of 2019 have extended their creativity by incorporating various forms of fabric manipulation and fabric printing techniques to enhance their designs.

Through the d’Ubania theme, students will present a range of eye-opening designs, says Sunthra Moodley, the HOD of Fashion and Textiles. The student ranges are an expression of their identity and their collection is reflective of their personal development, character and style. The ranges are diverse, highly innovative and visually creative.

Tickets for the show cost R60.00 for Wednesday and Thursday, and R100.00 for Friday and will be available @ COMPUTICKET and at the door.

For more information, please contact:  Sunthra Moodley (031 3733711 sunthram@dut.ac.za)

Bilkis Razak (031 3733750  bilkisr@dut.ac.za

Did you know……..

1932 Fashion: What did people wear?

Once again, women follow Greta Garbo in the new “man’s” evening suit, while mimicking Joan Crawford’s makeup: bright lips, eye shadow and artificial eyelashes — which take a salon two hours to apply.

Chanel’s satin suit and Shiaparelli’s exotic buttons made fashion news. Some fashionable women even dusted their hair with bright phosphorescent powders.