Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Fashion Council (KZNFC) have selected KZN based Fashion Designers to showcase at SA Fashion Week. SAFW will take place from 28 â€" 30 September 2012 in Johannesburg. TIKZN and the KZNFC will be co-sponsoring established, junior and emerging designers to present their collections at this event.

The selected designers are:
Runway :  Kathrin Kidger, Bianca Warren and Hanrie Lues.
Buyers Lounge:  Nishai Sookdhew, Trish Carmen Ntombela and Amanda Govender.
In addition, Percival Khumalo will be paired with the designers to produce leather accessories.

The election criteria amongst others included BEE compliance, export license where applicable, tax clearance certificate or proof of application, legally registered company, or proof of application; number of years in operation ranges from 1 year for emerging designers, 2 â€" 3 years for junior designers and 5 years or more for established designers and traceable references of stores that stock their range. The process after selection includes regular coaching and mentorship of these designers by the KZNFC Board. This includes weekly progress meetings and group meetings.

Local shows such as these are targeted to provide designers with the opportunity to showcase their ranges and in doing so provides them with access to markets, i.e. buyers and retailers.  Fashion weeks are a very important avenue for designers to showcase their ranges to a targeted audience.

Mr Greg Wallis, the Chairperson on the KZNFC board said, “I am greatly impressed with the creativity and professionalism of the designers who have been selected to represent KwaZulu-Natal at S.A. Fashion Week. KZN is a creative hot-bed and the chosen designers will certainly rise to the occasion. These designers have earned a wonderful opportunity and we hope that as the KZNFC we can guide them to greater heights. Good luck to you all.”

“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”, concluded Mr Zamo Gwala, CEO, Trade & Investment KZN.


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Submitted on behalf of Zamo Gwala, CEO at Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal
Contact Person:  Perusha Naicker
Position:  Communications Officer
Tel:    27 31 368 9600
Cell:   083 778 5032
Fax:   086 500 9862
Email:    perusha@tikzn.co.za