To enhance the benefits of the virtual marketplace platform, seminars drive audience engagement. The seminar content has been carefully crafted to enhance visitor experience and deliver insights that create dialogue between industry stakeholders, and for businesses to apply insights to their businesses.
3 November 2020
Day 1
10:00-10:30 Welcome and Opening Ceremony plus Cultural Performance
Josh Low, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt South Africa
Kath Frew, Portfolio Director at Messe Frankfurt South and Show Director of allfashion sourcing
10:30-11:30 The State of the African Textile and Leather Goods industry
The South African Retailer, Clothing, Textiles, Footwear and Leather R-CTFL Masterplan is matched only by the Motor Vehicle Masterplan in its progress and integration. But R-CTFL is arguably more Broad Based in its application than Motor Vehicles. R-CTFL has a collective of 2030 aspirational goals, accompanied by a new normal of business for all the value chain stakeholders.Value chain interventions to stimulate investment will be addressed as well as Logistics cahllenges due to restrictions due to Covid-19.
Panel discussion
Host:
Michael Lawrence - Executive Director, National Clothing Retail Federation
Panellists:
Etienne Vlok - National Industrial Policy Officer of the SA Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU)
Geerish Bucktowonsing - Head of Department, Manufacturing (Traditional Sectors) Mauritius
Nerisha Jairaj - Executive Director South African Footwear and Leather Council (SAFLEC)
Vishnu Munien - National Customs Manager of Turners Shipping
15:00-16:00 Womenswear 2021
Predicting the Womenswear trends of tomorrow with an eye on Africa and its importance as well as the impact of Covid-19 and its impact in the short to longer term.
Trend Forecast by:
Nicola Cooper - Founder, Trend Researcher, Analyst & Cultural Strategist of Nicola Cooper & Associates
4 November 2020
Day 2
08:30-10:30 AGOA Unpacked
The status of Agoa - the trade benefits, textile related categories and the partner country benefits.
Panel discussion on:
The status of AGOA - the trade benefits, textile related categories and the partner country benefits.
Host:
Marina Bizabani - Country Representative, Lesotho USAID TradeHub
Panellist:
David Chen - Lesotho Textile Exporters Association
Dr. Andres Saldias - Apparel Trade Linkages Consultant, USAID TradeHub
Janet Forest - US Customs Law Expert, USAID TradeHub
Nizaar Mohamed - Senior Manager, Trade and Investement KwaZulu Natal (TIKZN)
10:30-11:30 Why African Fashion Matters
With the world eye’s on Africa it is vital to understand the importance of the fashion industry, it’s players and the drivers of change, behaviour, patterns and the expansion of opportunity within the sector.
Trend analysis and Panel discussion by:
Nicola Cooper and Associates
12:00-13:30 Strengthening Partnership in Trade & Investment with Mauritius
Strengthening Partnership in Trade & Investment with Mauritius. A sourcing and investment perspective of doing business with and in Mauritius.
Trade and Investment Webinar, by:
Mr. Geerish Bucktowonsing - Head of Manufacturing-Traditional Sectors, Economic Development Board, Mauritius
Mr. Lawrence Pillay - Global Head of Sourcing Quality & Innovation South Africa & Country Road Group Australia, Woolworths, South Africa
Mr. Yukio Huang - Managing Director, Ji Yun Ltd
14:00 - 15:00 AFS Young Designer Competition Showcase
The Top 10 Young designer interviews and garment showcase PLUS WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT, by:
The top 10 finalists
Kathryn Frew - Portfolio Director, Messe Frankfurt South Africa and Show Director of allfashion sourcing
Neil Piper - Head of Content, allfashion sourcing
15:00-16:00 Menswear 2021
Predicting the menswear trends of tomorrow with an eye on Africa and its importance as well as the impact of Covid-19 and its impact in the short to longer term.
Trend Forecast by:
Nicola Cooper - Founder, Trend Researcher, Analyst & Cultural Strategist of Nicola Cooper & Associates
5 November 2020
Day 3
10:00-11:00 Sustainability Lead Fashion - Myth or Reality
Sustainable Fashion – Our choices really can make a world of difference and is Sustainability a priority and a reality for fashion morning forward or is it myth and corporates being suitable based on legislation – or it is a fundamental priority for some?
Panel Discussion, by:
Cyril Naiker - Chief Executive, Imprint Luxury
Helen Gibbs - Owner Helon - Melon
Tamburai Chirume - Co-Founder, One Of Each
Yasmin Barsch - CEO, For the Love of Silk
14:00-15:00 Exporting Products to the United States
What U.S. Buyers look for in products imported into America from African suppliers and how AGOA effectively drives and promotes textile market- led economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa.
Presented by:
Beth Hughes - Vice President, Trade and Customs Policy American Apparel & Footwear Association
George Makore - Deputy Chief of Party, USAID TradeHub
Llenay Ferretti - CEO, Bhavana World Project
Mark Jaeger - Vice President Stakeholder Engagement, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP)
Tammy Dlamini - Country Representative, USAID TradeHub Eswatini