Local Fashion and Design Council a boost
Our town now has a fashion and design council.
In a campaign to bring all fashion sectors under one united and colourful umbrella, the Enoch Mgijima Fashion and Design Council was elected at a meeting called by the Chris Hani Fashion and Design Council on Friday at the Thobi Kula Indoor Sport Centre.
Elected were: chairperson Vathiswa Dyonase, deputy chairperson Zodwa Mbenyane, secretary Bongisa Mbekwa, deputy secretary Sandisiwe Nkomba, treasurer Abongile Slevu and coordinator Nomaphelo Hloyi.
Anyone in the local fashion and design sector or closely related to it can now find a home, make contacts, explore marketing opportunities and score sales through their interaction with the council.
Founder and president of the Chris Hani council, Luyolo Dlikilili, said they promoted local design and fashion talent, facilitated partnerships between local designers and international markets and provided a supportive platform
for emerging designers. “The council was founded in 2023 and consists of fashion, shoe, textile and jewelry designers, fashion photographers, models, crafters, and weaving, hair and makeup, and nail technicians.
”On Friday we selected a local Enoch Mgijima Fashion and Design Council. We have started a programme of selecting local councils,” said Dlikilili.
“The district level council wanted different fashion sectors in one council because a number of sectors were
independent and not part of any structure. I saw a gap of having this structure because having these sectors may be different but they work together,” he said.
He gave an example of a fashion designer needing a photographer, a model, and a makeup artist.
“We have people who are fashion bloggers here, people who can put your clothes on the market and advertise your designs.
“We want to bring unity to the fashion and design sector.”