We’re a few days away from the 2024 Textile and Fashion Industry Trade Fair hosted by Messe Frankfurt.
Taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on September 10-12, the three-day event will be a mixture of everything fashion, including panel discussions, fashion shows and exhibitions.
Fashion lovers can expect to see over 100 exhibitors, ranging from textiles, fabrics and yarns. This will be very beneficial to designers, who will get an opportunity to source materials for their collections.
There will also be daily fashion shows, where designers will be showcasing their latest collections.
On day one, guests can look forward to a panel discussion hosted by Mark Goliath, head of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Nerisha Jairaj, executive director of the South African Footwear & Leather Export Council (Saflec) and Jackie May, director, founder, and editor of Twyg.
They will be joined by speakers who will be discussing the impact of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on MSMEs through regional value chains in the textile and clothing industry.
Day two will include two-panel discussions and two talks. The first discussion will be about The Journey to Sustainability.
The topic of green manufacturing, ethical sourcing, and lean practices in South Africa's fashion and textile sector will be hosted by fashion industry expert, Cyril Naicker, joined by Seeland’s Tim Coles, ENS’s Carlyn Fritelli-Davies, and Network 360’s Matthew Hazel.
After that, there will be the talk shows, where Supplier Enterprise Development will be the hot topic.
The last panel discussion will be hosted by the IDC’s business development manager Nicole Moonsamy, joined by Tamburai Chirune on the panel to discuss the potential of the African Growth and Opportunity Act.
Furthermore, guests can also expect to see young talent, where emerging and student designers will be participating in the Young Designer Competition under the theme “Creativity Through The Lens of Africa”.
“The challenge is to create a sustainable fashion collection that celebrates the rich heritage of local craftsmanship while fostering a commitment to the environment, emphasising the use of eco-friendly fabrics.
“Designers must deliver a harmonious narrative that sustains both tradition and the planet,” explained the event organisers.