The premier event in the African textile and fashion industry, allfashion sourcing 2024, brought to you by Messe Frankfurt South Africa, opened its doors last week at the CTICC, Cape Town, to a vibrant gathering of industry professionals, thought leaders, and innovators. Over three dynamic days, from September 10-12, attendees were treated to an array of panel discussions, trend talks, and showcases, highlighting the latest advancements in sustainability, trade, and design excellence.
Day 1 Highlights: African Continental Free Trade & MSMEs
The event started with a powerful discussion on The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and its impact on MSMEs across the continent. This critical dialogue focused on how regional value chains in the textile and clothing industry can boost intra-Africa trade and fuel economic growth. The panel, led by Mark Golliath from the IDC, included Nerisha Jairaj of SAFLEC, Jackie May, founder of Twyg, and Simon Eppel from SACTWU, who emphasized the importance of fair, inclusive, and sustainable trade practices across Africa.
Day 2 Highlights: Trend Talks and Growth Opportunities
Day two was a hub of inspiration as the renowned trend forecasting agency WGSN took the stage with their Trend Talk, delivered by Sithandiwe Khumalo, diving deep into colour trends, silhouettes, product innovation, and the integration of AI into the fashion world. The session was packed with valuable insights designed to enable fashion buyers to make more informed, sustainable choices in the evolving marketplace.
Later in the day, the spotlight shifted to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), where a panel explored the act’s influence, conversion rates, and future potential for African fashion businesses exporting to the U.S. Hosted by Nicole Moonsamy from the IDC, the discussion featured insights from Tamburai Chirume, co-founder of ONEOFEACH, Nerisha Jairaj of SAFLEC and Debbie Hall representing USAID ATI underscoring the untapped opportunities AGOA presents for African manufacturers and designers looking to expand their reach on a global stage.
Innovation and Sustainability Take Centre Stage
Sustainability was at the heart of many conversations throughout the event, including the much-anticipated panel discussion on The Journey to Sustainability. Industry leaders, including Cyril Naicker, led this conversation, with contributions from Tim Coles of Seeland, Carlyn Fritelli-Davies from ENS, Matthew Hazel of Network 360, and Francisco Da Silva of Graff. Together, they discussed how South Africaâs fashion sector can embrace green manufacturing, ethical sourcing, and lean practices.
Government Support for Local Manufacturers
Thandi Phele, Acting Deputy Director-General of Sectors at the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), highlighted the department’s support for local manufacturers participating in the exhibition. “This will be a valuable opportunity for the manufacturers to showcase their products to the wider fashion community in South Africa and abroad. We are confident that this collaboration will yield fantastic results, providing manufacturers with quality enquiries from prospective clients and generating new trade leads,” said Phele.
She further emphasized the event’s primary goals of promoting African clothing, textiles, footwear, leather, and general goods, while fostering both regional and international collaboration. The exhibition also seeks to drive investment in the region and create sustainable jobs within the sector.
“Allfashion sourcing is a key platform that the DTIC is leveraging to achieve sustainable job creation and increase exports of locally manufactured products. The show provides an ideal opportunity for the DTIC to engage with a select audience of textile, clothing, footwear, leather, and fashion-oriented exhibitors and visitors,” she added.
Dr. Jaywant Irkhedeâs Keynote Address
At the allfashion Sourcing Cape Town keynote, Dr. Jaywant Irkhede, Director of Leather & Footwear, Sectors Branch (SG): Textile, Clothing, Leather & Footwear, reiterated the governmentâs significant role in stabilising and advancing the Clothing, Textiles, Footwear, and Leather (CTFL) sectors. âOver the years, the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition has provided extensive support to stabilize the CTFL sectors, which are recognized as key labour-absorbing industries. Through various incentives like the Clothing Textile Competitiveness Programme (CTCP) and the CTFL Masterplan, we have focused on boosting local production, increasing exports, and creating jobs despite challenges such as global trade liberalisation, economic recessions, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent successes, including the rise in local procurement, demonstrate our commitment to enhancing competitiveness and fostering inclusive growth within the South African CTFL industry.â
Young Designer Competition: A Celebration of Emerging Talent
The highlight of this yearâs allfashion sourcing event was the 7th edition of the Young Designer Competition, sponsored by ENS, shone a spotlight on the next generation of fashion talent. The designs were imaginative, original, and true masterpieces.
We are thrilled to announce that Serena Balram is the 2024 Young Designer winner! Her exceptional creativity and innovative approach set her apart from the competition. Serena walked away with incredible prizes valued at R270,000, and we look forward to seeing her continued impact on the fashion world. The runner-up, Cyla Gonsolves, was also recognised for her remarkable talent, winning R5,000 in cash. The allfashion Sourcing Young Designers competition is an unforgettable journey into the future of fashion!
A Platform for Global Networking and InnovationÂ
As the ultimate meeting point for international buyers and African textile and fashion professionals, allfashion sourcing 2024 is more than just a trade fair – itâs a dynamic hub where creativity, sustainability, and global connections flourish. With almost 100 exhibitors from various sectors, including textiles, leather goods, and finished garments, this yearâs event provided a comprehensive snapshot of Africaâs growing influence in the global fashion industry.
