Fashion designers get export push

In a joint export promotion effort, Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) and the KwaZuluNatal Fashion Council (KZNFC) selected seven KZNbased fashion designers to showcase their designs at South African Fashion Week, which is currently under way in Johannesburg. “We cannot compete with emerging markets such as China and India on the manufacturing of textiles, for example, but we can develop sustainable niche products,” said Neville Matjie, general manager: export promotion for TIKZN. These he sees as leather goods and unique, interesting clothing designs that can be showcased nationally, regionally and even internationally. The seven designers, including a leather goods and accessories designer, were mentored by TIKZN and the KZN Fashion Council in the weeks leading up to the event to ensure they were not only export-ready but had the relationship-building skills and the type of product to meet national and international buyers’ needs. “In assisting the KZN designers with exposure to local – and possibly future international buyers – through successfully initiating new markets, the fashion design sector in KZN will grow into a world-class industry and position the province as a fashion destination,” said Zamo Gwala, CEO, TIKZN.