As part of the Arts Alive International Art Festival, the City of Johannesburg’s Arts, Culture and Recreation directorate hosted a fashion & craft workshop at the Firs in Rosebank. The focus was on business development; product development and retail; the role of technology for the sector and sustainable products. All that was facilitated by Dr Tembeka Mlauli, one of the specialists in the fashion industry.
Mlauli warned the participants that in the fashion retail, if you short circuit the rules, the rules will return to bite you.
“Compliance to regulations and contractual agreements is key if you want to make it in the business of fashion.
No one is an island, so collaborations and partnerships tend to fast track achievement of goals,” said Mlauli.
She explained how clothes make it to the shop floor and the importance of fabric testing, which is a process that helps to reduce the risk of product recall, protect the brand and retain consumer trust.
Young fashion designer Thando Ntuli, who is the founder of Munkus from Orlando East, Soweto, thanked the City for the workshop.
“I am glad I received an invitation. It was nice to listen to different perspectives and experiences in the industry. It looks like we are on the same boat, and it does not matter at which point you are and how you got there.
“I need to understand who to ask for specific things; where to go to get answers to further develop my ideas; and who do I speak to, even if they believe but do not understand as long as they point me to the right people.
“I like to be connected with myself by not reinvent what other people did but to reveal my fashion identity.
I am inspired by my mother and grandmother,” said Ntuli.
Shantel Selepe from Alexandra who owns Onka Boutique said: “I am happy that I was given as space to show case my work. This will assist in growing my business.”
The City’s Cultural Development Manager Thuli Ndlovu said: “Through the Arts Alive International Art Festival, we are able to reach out to various genre is the art and cultural industry, collaborate with strategic partners to implement programmes that have an impact on artists.”
For more information on Arts Alive 2022, go to:
01/12/2022
