Newsletter No 40/21 October 2022
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Fashion Bridges – I Ponti della Moda
The Embassy of Italy in Pretoria and South African Fashion Week (SAFW) are pleased to announce the second edition of the ‘Fashion Bridges – I Ponti della Moda’ project, launched in 2021 together with the Italian fashion school Polimoda in Florence and Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI), with the support of Italian Trade Agency, Centro di Firenze per la Moda Italiana and Nelson Mandela Forum in Florence, to foster partnerships between the fashion systems in South Africa and Italy.
In this framework, the talented Italian fashion designer Marianna Rosati, Creative Director of the Italian brand “DROMe” (www.drome.it), was selected by Polimoda and CNMI to present her latest collection to the forthcoming South African Fashion Week in Johannesburg. Her fashion show will take place at “Mall of Africa” on October 20th, at 20:00 hrs.
“DROMe”‘s collection will then move to Cape Town, where a special fashion event will be organized at the Residence of the Ambassador of Italy the following week.
Furthermore, building on the fruitful B2B meetings held during its first edition, this year too ‘Fashion Bridges’ will aim at enhancing cooperation between companies of the two Countries. To this end, the Italian Trade Agency in Johannesburg is organizing a mission to South Africa of 14 Italian entrepreneurs of the textile, leather and machinery sectors. Next October, they will visit several South African provinces to meet local producers and retailers, and establish new commercial and industrial synergies.
Wrangler celebrates 75 years of iconic Denim
By: Thembi Sibisi
Iconic denim brand Wrangler reached a milestone deserving of a true celebration – 75 years of creating stylish, well-made denim true to its western heritage! To mark the occasion, Wrangler hosted First-Thursday regulars, as well as media and influencers to a night to remember at The House of Machines in Cape Town, on Thursday, 06 October 2022.
As attendees arrived, they were served signature Wrangler cocktails curated especially for the occasion while they eagerly awaited epic performances on the line-up from local talents Bam Bam Brown and Jak Tomas & Friends,. It was clear, the crowd was blown away by the live music performances with each of the bands notably dressed in Wrangler denim from head to toe! Every song brought a new spark of life to the crowd with attendees dancing to each tune and most certainly matching the energetic performances on show.
Ensuring they didn’t miss out on the fun, local media and influencers such as GQ Magazine, Men’s Health, Eric Mubyayi and Siya Ramba made their way to The House of Machines to join in the celebrations and tucked into delicious burgers from Cape Town’s favourite, Frankie’s Burgers. Much to everyone’s delight, Frankie’s Burgers boasted a very special “Wrangler SmashBurger” in tribute to the brand’s 75th anniversary.
One of the highlights of the evening included the announcement of one lucky attendee receiving a Wrangler Icon Denim Jacket to the value of R 2 499 – 1 of only 6 currently available in the country. Julia-Rosa Reis, was extremely excited about the win – “This Wrangler Icon Jacket is definitely going to be my new statement piece with myall my looks.”
Stella Heyns, Marketing Manager for Wrangler South Africa, best described the evening in one word: “ICONIC!”
“There really is no better word to describe the evening and a brand like Wrangler than ‘iconic’. As a brand, Wrangler, has a rich history, a global brand awareness and has always emulated and represented a strong sense of hard work, freedom and community, So we’re so pleased to have shared this huge milestone with true denim fans!”
The House of Machines (THoM) was indeed the perfect venue for these celebrations as the look and feel of the bar speaks to the Wrangler persona – For The Ride of Life. Since 1947, Wrangler has drawn inspiration from those who live by their own rules and do things their own way, crafting dependable denim for riders, rock stars, and trailblazers.
Throughout 2022, Wrangler will continue to celebrate its 75-year history showcasing its western heritage and the resilience of western culture. The Wrangler 75th campaign is the latest instalment in Wrangler’s For The Ride of Life series, honouring stories of living life to the fullest, whoever you are, whatever stage you’re at and whatever life throws at you.
Feeling lucky? Keep an eye out for more exciting competitions on @wranglersouthafrica’s social media pages – you don’t want to miss out!
2023 accelerator programme in garment making open for application
Colours of a Kind, an NPO based in Cape Town, is on the lookout for its second cohort of students with applications open for its 2023 accelerator programme. The SETA-accredited programme is aimed at aspirant young designers who want to obtain a qualification through a ‘One-Year General Education and Training Certificate in Clothing Manufacturing Process’.
In collaboration with the Fashion Institute of Garment Technology (FIGT), this fully sponsored programme is open to 18-35-year-old South African women based in Cape Town, who do not have the financial means to study full-time.
General manager of Colours of a Kind, Jackie Vorster shared that the 2022 programme, which accepted 13 students, is on track to deliver on its mandate to empower women by creating sustainable programmes that contribute to them becoming self-reliant and financially independent. The organisation not only fully sponsors each woman with all amenities to study, but also provides the necessary support and training to facilitate employment opportunities.
“The women who have seized the opportunity to join this demanding programme this year have already given themselves a leg up,” says Vorster, “and with the resurging growth in the manufacturing sector in South Africa, it has been recognised that there is a large demand for skills trained professionals in this sector.”
The course will focus on garment manufacturing, sewing techniques and pattern making. In addition to these basic skills, emphasis on personal development will play an integral role in the course. The students have the opportunity to engage with mentors and experience hands-on how the industry functions.
Production studio
Colours of a Kind plans to set up a production studio early in 2023. That studio would give graduates an opportunity to work as pattern makers and seamstresses. In addition, graduates who would have already been trained in HR principles will have access to specific job portals and be given guidance on how to apply. Those graduates wanting to branch out on their own and become entrepreneurs will have access to the Colours of a Kind collaboration space where they will be provided with orders from their partners.
Gregg Maragelis, head of institution at the FIGT says, “Collaborating on social impact programmes with the outcome of creating highly employable graduates for the garment industry is not only a great cause, but the overall ripple effect it creates has a long-standing impact on the women trained.
“The project comes at a time in which the government has clearly identified skills development and employment programmes as one of the most strategic and readily available tools needed to drive increased economic inclusion.”
The accelerator programme runs from February to November 2023 and will be held at FIGT in Mowbray. For more information or to apply, visit: https://www.coloursofakind.org/accelerator-applications
Pick n Pay interim results August 2022
Turnover for the interim period increased to R51.3 billion (2021: R46 billion) and trading profit went up to R1.3 billion (2021: R1.0 billion). Profit for the period rose to R453.3 million (2021: R296.8 million). In addition, headline earnings per share grew to 97.73 cents per share (2021: 61.28 cents per share).
Most Designer of the Year wins at the Fashion Awards
British designer Alexander McQueen (1969–2010) won six Fashion Awards in his lifetime, including five Designer of the Year awards between 1996 and 2003.Advertisements
The Fashion Awards were formerly known as the British Fashion Awards.
As of December 2016, designer label Alexander McQueen, founded in London in 1992, had won 10 prizes at the Fashion Awards since its inception in 1984, making this the most successful brand in the history of the awards.
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