The role of farmers is going to play a crucial role in the fashion industry going forward.  In pursuit of eco-friendly fibres or a circular economy, everything starts with a seed in the ground and the effects of nature on the seed's generations and life cycle. Recently, I was surprised and challenged in Country Road Woolworths in Hyde Park. A display for VERIFIED AUSTRALIAN COTTON HERITAGE SWEATS caught my eye. What does it mean? Why do we not see Verified South African cotton? In this...

As the South African Apparel Industry cranks up its rotary cutters and starts the sewing machines, the Apparel Report is taking an interlude from Series 2 and we talk to a good friend; Martin Myers - Sound Designer, music enthusiast, and general go-to-guy in the South African music industry.  We take a walk down memory lane and discuss fashion shows and industry stalwarts, we unpack how to use and choose music to develop a holistic sensory experience, engaging the audience, and creating...

Michael Lawrence is passionate about increasing the space allocated to South African products in retail space, which is why the R-CTFL Master Plan is so important to him. In this ambitious Master Plan, all stakeholders are encouraged to review the current situation and move in the direction of increasing in-store local products representation. It represents the development of a more enlightened way of thinking that recognizes the problems and finds effective ways to solve them. Download the...

For this episode of 'The Apparel Report,' we have Alex Harris, a consultant who has worked with all the major retailers in South Africa. Alex is now focusing on identifying and developing opportunities for small and medium businesses to better the market. The following topics are discussed: Internships in Fashion Fashion production service for SME's Fashion Business Strategy Here is how to contact Alex Harris: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexharrisconsulting Please subscribe...

We are doing things differently in this week's episode.  Yaz Amien-Skazikis was invited to talk with our resident host Derek Geddes so that we could learn more about him.  Yaz is an experienced event manager and fashion show backstage coordinator with the voice of an angel. Please enjoy this slightly off-piste introduction to Derek. You can follow Yaz: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaz-amien-skazikis-8634931b9 Or Derek Geddes LinkedIn -...

In this episode of 'The Apparel Report,' we chat with Luke Fobian - Founder of Distilled and Director of the Design Academy of Fashion. Luke has 18-years experience leading Trend Forecasting and Fashion Design Departments for major South African fashion retailers.  Luke transitioned into higher education in 2020 with the goal of creating a platform that contributes to the future of African design. Distilled was created to build a world-class platform for the next generation of designers and...

Vasco Rocha, the Founder and Managing Director of DDB Mozambique, is our guest on this episode of The Apparel Report Podcast. Vasco is a marketing, sales and management professional with 20 years of experience gained through working with local and international brands that cover technology, telecommunications, banking, tourism, and more. Vasco and DDB Mozambique launched MFW - Mozambique Fashion Week in 2005, as a platform for levelling up the standards and developing fashion in...

Simon Deiner, Owner of Group of Creatives and SA's home grown triple threat - Photographer, Producer, Pioneer, has attended, photographed and produced fashion shows from London to New York, Lagos to Cape Town.  An industry stalwart, his career has spanned supporting his Mom's swimwear business (just to see the girls in bikinis), to rubbing shoulders with fashion icons like Anna Wintour, The Rolling Stones, and SA's very own Cyril Ramaphosa.   Simon’s honest and thought-provoking chat is a...

Jacqueline Shaw chats to us about African fashion heritage and getting locally produced fashion and apparel to Europe. She is passionate about manufacturing in Africa and showcasing the full supply chain of African fashion and textile. London based, Jacqueline is on the lookout for sustainable connections between Creatives, Producers and Retailers. Connect with Jacqueline here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-shaw-african-fashion-sourcing-consultant-69537610 Facebook:...

Mandy is a passionate creative and internationally recognised industry professional with hands-on experience in the design and the fashion process. I have always been blown away by her tenacity and drive in growing her business and persona, so I wanted to get her on the show to share her insights with you. Connect with Mandy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandy-milne Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MandyMilneSA Instgram: @maggiebowpinup 

With over 21 years experience in the South African Clothing Industry, Allana Foster Finley, chats to us about levelling up your fashion game, pivoting through life changes, and the need for fashion folk to collaborate.