The event was hybrid in nature, featuring 160 exhibitors in total with 653 visitors across the live and virtual events:
- Local products exhibited by the South African textile, leather, footwear, and fashion manufacturers via a unique pop-up showroom
- A virtual platform for international buyers to network with all exhibitors
- Live seminars and fashion shows attended by industry specialists and the general public
- The virtual platform has a wide range of exciting content including panel talk recordings, trend talks, seminars, fashion show footage of exclusive ready-to-wear collections worn by international models, virtual links to exhibitors, social media links, and more.
Free registration to the virtual platform remains open for viewing of all content until 30th November 2021.
During the live event, several major hitters in the fashion industry communicated powerful facts and statistics, but most importantly conveyed a sentiment of hope.
Alderman James Vos, City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, said in his opening speech: “Between 2014 and 2015 local exports grew by 12% driven by a strong increase in exports to Namibia, Cape Town’s largest export market for clothing and textile products. United States exports, under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), have increased by 53.2%, making it the fastest-growing of Cape Town’s top export markets.”
Lance Greyling, Cape Town’s Director of Enterprise and Investment, explored clothing and retail manufacturing industry growth, citing: “Cape Town is best suited to showcase local talent to the world and I encourage businesses and industry to share this vision.”
As an example of true Ubuntu in action, this proudly South African event encouraged ordinary South Africans to support each other by buying authentic products made by South Africans for South Africans. ‘Ubuntu’ is an African concept meaning action taken with mutual concern for all involved. An example of this in action was the pop-up showroom which allowed exhibitor participation despite COVID-19 restrictions.
Underpinned by the United Nations Office for Partnerships (UNOP), Sustainable Development Goals were emphasized through the sharing of knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources toward achievement of these goals.
Emphasis was laid on the consumption of local products which reduces the carbon footprint and supports local industry.
Dr Jaisheila Rajput, CEO of Toma-Now, said in a panel discussion moderated by Twyg’s Jackie May: “Concerning SDGs, the global measurement system used in business, choose ones that are a priority for your organisation and measure everything. Data is the new black.”
Paul Simon, We Are Egg Co-Founder, spoke about mall culture creativity and innovation, emphasizing ecommerce and its trajectory during the pandemic.
Concerning their vision of future fashion, Texworld Art Directors and trend forecasters, Louis Gerin and Gregory Lamaud, said: “Our analysis can be a starting point for creative minds reflecting on the season. Open for interpretation, the ideas and ways presented as they are open the spirit and give keys on season designs. We expect to instil creativity and inspiration, allowing all to find answers in their reflections.”
On day three, a powerful audience Q&A session with Plain Tiger’s Louis Orlianges and Tania Rossouw covered their journey in fashion. Louis, who worked for Condé Nast’s Vogue and GQ, and brand and creative fashion strategist Tania, now define Plain Tiger’s brand values, bringing them to life via compelling, relevant content with strong focus on consumer purchasing psychology.
Climax of the event was the announcement of the allfashion sourcing Cape Town Young Designer Competition’s (YDC) winner:
- Unanimous judges’ decision in favour of Fedisa’s Thando Ntuli, crowned 2021 YDC Winner. Fedisa is South Africa’s leading fashion university.
- The judges panel comprised of One of Each’s Co-Founder, Tamburai Chirume, Plain Tiger’s Louis Orlianges & Tania Rossouw, and Imprint Luxury’s Cyril Naicker
- Runner up was Havana Petersen, who also attended Fedisa
- Prizes worth more than R80 000 (USD 5,000), include all-expenses paid first prize participation at 2022’s Texworld Evolution Paris
- The winner will also be part of Plain Tiger’s Sustainability Accelerator Program, with an invitation to sell her clothing on their ecommerce platform
Deemed an all round success, the inventive hybrid strategy is a continuation of allfashion sourcing Cape Town’s annual contribution to fashion eventing, which gains ongoing international attention.
All those attending the recent event experienced synergy between the traditional and virtual, taking a united stand in favour of local community comradery, adaptation, and connection. Africa’s rich, authentic heritage was celebrated, leading the way for post-pandemic eventing.
2022 will see continued focus on “eco-responsibility” in fashion where the international textile and fashion industry will be duly inspired and moved by progressive creativity, design, and manufacturing in a post-COVID world.
The next allfashion sourcing Cape Town event will be hosted 26-28 September 2022.
For visitor related enquiries, please contact Priyanka Lutchman, Marketing Manager of allfashion sourcing on Priyanka.Lutchman@za.messefrankfurt.com
Texpertise Network of Messe Frankfurt
With a unique portfolio of 58 international fairs for the textile sector, Messe Frankfurt is the world’s market leader when it comes to trade fairs for the textile sector. In 2019, around 23,000 exhibitors and approx. 600,000 visitors attended the company’s events around the globe. The portfolio covers the entire value chain of the textile industry and, as the main communication platform, Texpertise Network is a source of information about the world-renowned trade-fair brands and the first-class services provided by Messe Frankfurt.
More information: www.texpertise-network.com
Background information on Messe Frankfurt
The Messe Frankfurt Group is the world’s largest trade fair, congress and event organiser with its own exhibition grounds. The Group employs approximately 2,450 people at its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and in 29 subsidiaries around the world. The company generated annual sales of approximately €257 million in 2020 after having recorded sales of €736 million the previous year. Even in difficult times caused by the coronavirus pandemic, we are globally networked with our industry sectors. We serve our customers’ business interests efficiently within the framework of our Fairs & Events, Locations and Services business fields. One of the Group’s key USPs is its closely knit global sales network, which extends throughout the world. Our comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. We are expanding our digital expertise with new business models. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services. With its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt (60 percent) and the State of Hesse (40 percent).
For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com