Durban - A group of Durban designers will be heading to the SA Fashion Week in Johannesburg next month thanks to a partnership between Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) and the KwaZulu-Natal Fashion Council (KZNFC).
The super seven have been hand-picked from dozens of applicants according to strict criteria and include some of the top names in fashion.
Host
On the runway will be designs by Kathrin Kidger, Bianca Warren and Hanrie Lues, while the Buyers’ Lounge will host Nishai Sookdhew, Trish Carmen Ntombela and Amanda Govender.
In addition, Percival Khumalo will be paired with the designers to produce bags as accessories.
The selection criteria included, among others, BEE compliance, export licence where applicable, tax clearance certificate or proof of application, legally registered company or proof of application, number of years in operation from one year for emerging designers, two to three years for junior designers and five years or more for established designers and traceable references of stores that stock their range.
Designers will now be coached and mentored by the KZNFC board, which includes weekly progress meetings and group meetings.
Local shows are targeted to provide designers with the opportunity to showcase their ranges and this provides them with access to markets through exposure to buyers and retailers. Fashion weeks are an important avenue for designers to showcase their ranges to a targeted audience.
Economic
“From an economic perspective, we want them to come back to Durban with full order books because this means job creation in the province,” said Jasmine Sultan, programme director of the KZNFC.
Zamo Gwala, CEO of TIKZN, said that assisting the designers with exposure to local and possibly future international buyers through successfully initiating new markets, the fashion design sector in KZN would grow into a world-class industry and position the province as a fashion destination. – Daily News