PROMOTING THE SA FASHION INDUSTRY GLOBALLY

Three international ventures in 2007 are testimony to AFI’s dedicated and on-going support of African fashion designers and the fashion industry as a whole.

• In May AFI headed to Russia Fashion Week with fashion design duo Malcolm Klûk and Christiaan Gabriel du Toit (Klûk -CGdT) as part of an exciting exchange agreement between Cape Town Fashion Week and Russia Fashion Week.

• A month later, The World Economic Forum (African Chapter) held in Cape Town, South Africa, put African fashion on their agenda for the first time. AFI played a key role in hosting a dinner discussion on the future of fashion in Africa and how to make it globally competitive. AFI also showcased African designers’ collections at a fashion show during this premiere gathering of leaders in business, government and civil society.

• In July, C’est Couture, a project in partnership with South African Tourism in Paris and celebrated South African designer, Gavin Rajah, saw four young, emerging designers show their collections at the prestigious Paris Fashion Week in 2007. These four designers - Thabani Mavundla, Thula Sindi, Fundudzi (with Creative Director – Craig Jacobs), and David Tlale were chosen for their originality, their preference to using elements indigenous to South Africa, and their commitment to empowerment and equality issues in South Africa. Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe accepted the role of patron for these designers and the venture formed part of her vision of contributing towards the development and growth of South African designers, particularly talent from the townships and rural areas

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