Cape Town designer Maxine Ginsberg has been working round the clock on her collection from her label Zeitgeist Apparel which will be show cased at SA Fashion Week.
Ginsberg is one of more than 50 designers who are business owners looking to make a splash in the industry.
The event will be held at Crystal Court in Mall of Africa in Johannesburg from October 23 to 24.
“This is a fantastic forum. I am grateful that SA Fashion Week affords local designers the opportunity for exposure in the fashion industry and a chance to show what they have to offer,” Ginsberg said.
She said her family has worked in the fashion industry since 1906.
“I am the fourth generation following this career path and my wish is to help grow the South African fashion industry on a global and international level,” she said.
“We face many challenges and we will only overcome them by nurturing and growing local talent and skills for the future.
“I am looking forward to meeting other creatives and designers, sharing ideas and being able to promote my brand this year.”
An educational session on managing and expanding a business will be held over two days as part of the event to assist young designers. The sessions will cover topics such as how social media is becoming the new store front, and how to appeal to new generations.
SAFW’s CEO and founder, Lucilla Booyzen, said that after speaking with the designers, they discovered that many of them struggle with fundamental business skills.
“We feel that these talks will equip attendees with the skills they need as well as a starting point to get their businesses off the ground,” she said.
“Through several educational seminars and competitions, we have worked very hard to recognise local designers and support their professional development.”
The trade show will host various pop-up competitions. One of the competitions hosted by FEDISA Fashion School will see students participating in a challenge where they will each be given a choice of materials and given one hour to develop a concept design.
The winners will receive prizes and recognition on all SAFW channels.
Booyzen said the competitions are aimed at acknowledging and promoting new talent.
“Coming out of the pandemic, we want SAFW to shine a light on the industry’s creativity and we want to play our part in promoting rising stars,” she said.