Boost for city’s fashion houses
THREE Durban fashion entrepreneurs, eager to give their businesses a much needed boost, were recently selected to be part of the Threads 12 week accelerator programme.
At the end of the programme, one of the 12 finalists will be flown to Europe on an international trade trip.
While there, the winner will network and present his or her business or products to wholesale buyers and retailers as well as attend trade fairs.
For the owner of Hannah Grace Maternity and Kids Emporium Maternity, Lyndal Moodley, the programme will enable her to meet fellow fashion players and sharpen her business skills.
Moodley is hoping to grow her labels by adding trendy, fashion forward items to mothers and pregnant women.
The 37-year-old mother of four, of La Lucia, said her challenge was related to market development.
“Women feel maternity wear is unaffordable and that it lasts only for the duration of pregnancy. My clothing is designed to flatter a pregnant body and equally give the versatility of being worn during breastfeeding.”
The exposure to key stakeholders, she said, would benefit her label.
“To see what fellow businesses are doing and the ingenuity of their thinking will inspire a lot of changes in my business.”
If she wins, she believes her business will gain enough exposure for her products to be sold internationally.
The owner of JSE Couture, Jacqueline Emmanuel, hopes to build her business into an empire.
The 31-year-old award-winning fashion designer, of Morningside, said although creative, she needed to improve her business skills.
“This programme will allow me to push the boundaries and expand my business with my ultimate goal being to create a sustainable income and have a better business structure.
Her five-year-old business, which is based in Morningside, manufactures luxury wear from bridal to sports.
If she wins, her life and that of her team, she said, would change.
Digital and brand consultant and entrepreneur, Sabiha Badsha-Paruk hopes to increase her knowledge on how to grow and build her shared business, Haya Collective, to international standards.
The 27-year-old said her biggest challenge of running an online store was gaining customer trust.
Badsha-Paruk said the mentorship and knowledge shared through the programme was from leading industry experts and would benefit her as an entrepreneur.
“We are developing our second online store and are making upgrades and changes to our methods and systems based on what we have learnt so far. Threads is guiding us in the right direction.”
Winning, she said, would present a phenomenal opportunity.
The winner will also receive an SME start-up pack courtesy of Standard Bank, will become a Mercedes-Benz “friend of the family” and drive a new
vehicle for 12 months.