42 of 2018

Newsletter No. 42                                                                                                   2 November  2018

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Globally recognised DuPont™ Nomex® and Protera® flame & arc resistant fabrics, now locally produced by Gelvenor

Locally manufactured Protera® flame & arc resistant fabric on the Gelvenor production line

The DuPont and Gelvenor Textiles brands are both synonymous with trust. These two leaders in the protective textile industry have recently joined forces to drive the local manufacture of Nomex® and Protera® flame and arc resistant fabrics. DuPont and Gelvenor have a long history of working together, a relationship that has culminated in DuPont certifying Gelvenor as the South African manufacturer who will produce these fabrics to DuPont’s high standards.

In conjunction with the AAD Expo held at Waterkloof Airbase in Pretoria in September, DuPont and Gelvenor Textiles hosted the launch of the locally-manufactured Nomex® and Protera® fabrics. The launch took place on Thursday the 20th of September at the AAD Expo and was attended by individuals representing the DTI, SAPS, and various other purchasing and specification authorities.

DuPont™ Nomex® and Protera® are globally-recognised inherently flame and arc resistant fabrics, woven from yarn that is engineered to provide superior, longer-lasting protection. Fabrics that are only treated chemically for flame and arc resistance quickly lose their protective qualities due to washing and wear and tear, resulting in a higher cost-per-use. Fabrics with protection that is inherent and built in at fibre level will hold their protective qualities long after chemically-treated fabrics have lost their ability to protect workers.

“South Africa is at a crossroad – in order to create long-term sustainable employment, we need economic innovation, and this has its roots in the development of knowledge networks. These networks form the basis of the Gelvenor/DuPont partnership.” – Dicky Coetzee, Gelvenor CEO

Ajen Maharaj (DuPont), Maher Emil (DuPont), Dicky Coetzee (Gelvenor) and Rodolphe Besnard (DuPont) introducing Nomex® garments to market at the AAD exhibition

For years, the globally-recognised Nomex® and Protera® fabrics have been imported into South Africa. Gelvenor Textiles and DuPont have invested considerable resources into the research and development of protective textiles, and into driving the local manufacture of these two world-class products to the international standards required by the market. The fact that Gelvenor has been certified by DuPont as the sole local manufacturer of these fabrics is testament to Gelvenor’s extensive industry experience and history of innovation and excellence, with the added benefit of local production.

Both companies are excited about the potential these fabrics have to develop new and current African markets, as well as to expand the South African economy through supporting and bringing value to the local textile chain. The fabrics meet international safety requirements, and local manufacture by Gelvenor will ensure that they comply with PPPFA legislation for tenders and contracts. Accessibility, better service delivery and complete transparency in the production process will save local garment manufacturers time and energy, and the inherently-protective fabrics will give these manufacturers the opportunity to provide a much higher level of worker safety.

Local manufacturers and companies who care about worker safety will choose protective flame and arc resistant fabrics made with Nomex® and Protera®.

Trends in the know at AW19

By Karishma Dipa

Design by Zeng Fengfei. Picture: Eunice Driver

This week Joburg played host to fashion fundis, celebrities and guests who converged on Sandton City’s rooftop to get a glimpse of local designer’s latest collections.

Apart from this season’s showcase, celebrations were also held as SA Fashion Week (SAFW) celebrated its 21st anniversary.

During the six-day spectacle, a variety of design elements, textures and tones took shape on the catwalk.

Although some of the Autumn/Winter 2019 (AW19) ranges were in line with those seen on international runways, many were uniquely African in nature, firmly placing the continent as an authentic fashion destination.

These are some of the trends that dominated:

Mustard Yellow:

Design by Sies Isabelle. Picture: Eunice Driver

The cheerful shade not only dominated the local runway, but has consistently featured in top leading collections recently, including international brands such as Carolina Herrera, Moschino and Tom Ford. The appeal of the hue, which has been dubbed by some as the colour of 2018, is that it is bold, confident and compliments a diverse range of skin tones. It is also considered as a fun and easy way to inject a dose of vitamin C into a look.

The colour can be worn from head to toe to make a real statement, which is what local designer Thebe Magugu opted for in his Woolworth Style by SA range when some of his models took to the runway draped in mustard yellow. Some of his peers, including Cindy Mfabe and Afrogrunge, decided to incorporate elements of the shade into some of their overall ensembles.

Statement headwear:

Design by Irina Stetsco. Picture: Eunice Driver.

While covering your head seems to be in vogue, this is an everyday practice for many South Africans. This was widely reflected in this season’s collection as models walked the catwalk donning headscarves, hats, berets, beanies, hoodies and headbands. Statement headwear adds an extra element to an outfit. Some of the most striking looks came from local designer Black Coffee, who put a formal twist on the trend, while Irinia Stetsco’s models wore triangle headwear.

Monochrome:

Design by Judith-Atelier. Picture: Eunice Driver

It is no surprise that the basic yet bold black and white style is yet again one of the season’s hottest trends.

The appeal of monochrome is that it is considered the epitome of style and sophistication and can be reinvented in subtle ways.

It appears local designers could not get enough of this classic trend and many of them, including Fikile Zamagcino Sokhulo, ArtClub and Friends, Outerwear and Judith-Atelier, opted for an almost entire monochromatic collection. Many other designers also included elements of the trends into their collections but decided to add a pop of colour to the black and white ensembles.

Ruffles:

Design by Gert-Johan Coetzee. Picture: Eunice Driver

Ruffles and flounces remained a fashionable form and have appeared on major catwalks around the world, including in collections showcased during SAFW AW19. The simple but dramatic component gives an ordinary garment new life and is seen an antidote to smooth silks and long, lean silhouettes. A well-placed ruffle even does the job of statement jewellery or a good handbag. Local designers this week, including Cindy Mfabe, Fikile Zamagcino Sokhulo, Black Coffee and Mantsho, did not confine ruffle detailing to just dresses. This season they were everywhere, from ruffled pants, to collars and shoulders.

Layering:

Design by Thebe Magugu. Picture: Eunice Driver

Why wear one garment when you can put a collection together to also present an entire ensemble? This was the school of thought at Balenciaga, Simone Rocha, Missoni, who debuted collections featuring elements of layering on runways around the world.

South African designers gave it their own unique twists when their collections were presented.

The likes of The Watermelon Club, Thebe Magugu, Rich Mnisi, Ode, HSE, Ka-Sha and Amanda Laird Cherry mixed different garments, fabrics, colours and textures to present eye-catching, layered looks.  The Saturday Star

In just less than a month, we will be opening the doors to ATF/CPT Expo 2018!

The 2018 event is set to be bigger than ever, so prepare yourself for a comprehensive display of quality, creativity, reliability and sophistication across the apparel, textile and footwear manufacturing industries – and that’s just the exhibition!

Don’t forget the exhibitor focussed fashion shows and high-level conference programme that is currently drawing a lot of attention.

This year’s focus is the development of Small and Medium enterprises, trend analysis as well as a range of topics that will enrich visitors with valuable information applicable to your business.

Most importantly, all conference sessions are FREE TO ATTEND!

View the 3-day agenda online HERE

Register your free visitor pass online HERE

Date:   20-22 November 2018

Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre

Times: 9:00 – 16:00 (Tue-Wed) 9:00 – 15:00 (Thu)

For visitor queries contact:

Priyanka Lutchman – Marketing Assistant

Priyanka.Lutchman@za.messefrankfurt.com | +27 (0) 10 599 6158

Zimbabwe’s textile industry targets 35,000 jobs in 5 yrs

The Zimbabwe Clothing Manufacturers’ Association (ZCMA) plans to employ 35,000 people in the next five years, largely because of the sector’s revival and promotion of value addition. The country’s’s clothing and textile industry collapsed primarily due to competition from imported goods, obsolete machinery and lack of working capital to upgrade.

Compared to 6,700 at present, the nation’s clothing and textile industry used to employ over 35 000 around two decades back.

Briefing deputy minister for industry and commerce Raj Modi in Bulawayo recently, ZCMA chairman Jeremy Youmans said tackling the problem of raw materials would take time and nobody is going to invest in the textile industry until the country has got a ready market to deliver, according to a Zimbabwean newspaper report.

Recently €1.2 million was made available out of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa for the cotton chain and the money just got tied up in bureaucracy, he lamented F2F

Did you know……..

Doc Martens come in all different colors and sizes now, but the first pair was created using old tires.

W. Griffith, producer of silent movies in Hollywood, thought that actresses’ eyes could look a little better. He went ahead and created the first fake eyelashes.

Although Fashion Week in Paris has been taking place for some time, New York Fashion Week made its debut in 1943. The Americans wanted to start making waves in the world of fashion, rather than watching France take all the glory.

To Advertise………………….. Click here to see fact sheet with advertising rates.