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The Nokia Cape Town Fashion Week promises
to not only highlight the glitz and glamour of the African
fashion world, but also to focus on promoting the ailing
clothing and textile industry.
Celebrity Gerry Rantseli, spokesperson
for the event that will take place at the Cape Town International
Convention Centre from August 10 to 13, said on Wednesday:
"The time has come for Africa to look within and
to celebrate in its rebirth. That is why everyone in the
fashion world should be looking at ways of breathing life
back into the diminishing local clothing and textile industry."
Currently the industry is facing various
challenges, such a job losses and closures of factories
due to the recent increase of cheap Chinese imports. Thousands
of jobs have already been lost.
Rantseli, who was born in District Six and brought up
in Mitchell's Plain, said she identified with people working
in the industry because she had many family members whose
livelihoods depended on the clothing and textile industry.
Fashion Week organisers hoped that by
showcasing the strengths, diversity, affordabilty and
high quality of local products, they would be able to
encourage South Africans to buy locally manufactured clothing,
textiles and footwear and in turn, save many jobs.
"We must take hold of the clothing
and textile industry and turn it to our advantage. Cape
Town is the fashion capital of Africa and we have the
opportunity to make something of it," said Rantseli.
Proudly South Africa's Shaun Govender
added: "This is a vital initiative in getting consumers
at home to respect and support locally manufactured products.
The survival of the South African fashion industry depends
on this support."
The inspiration behind this year's designs
is African Renaissance and will see a talented line-up
of African designers showcasing their collections. These
include Hip Hop, Craig Port, Stoned Cherrie, Hilton Weiner,
Jenni Button, Young Designers Emporium and many more.
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