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Emerging designers seek mentors

23 Sep 2009

The Cape Town Fashion Council (CTFC) developed a competitiveness programme for the fashion industry to uplift local fashion brands and turn their creativity into viable businesses. Having selected five finalists, the CTFC is now calling for mentors to assist from October 2009 to March 2010 in South Africa's first such pilot project.

Undacova-ACTFW Spring/Summer 2009

Image: Simon Deiner/SDR

The five finalists selected for the Fashion for Business Programme are Craig Native, Stiaan Louw, Jacoba, Undacova and Trip Handbags.

Each of the finalist companies chosen needs an individual mentor who will assess the company's strengths and weaknesses and, using his or her knowledge of the clothing and textile industry and fashion expertise, will advise the protégé company on how best to achieve its goals.

The mentorship element of the ‘Fashion for Business' programme is one of the most important components for the success and effectiveness of the programme. It is therefore important that the mentors be well matched to each participant.

Partners and research

In order to ensure maximum success of the programme, the CTFC has formed partnerships with key stakeholders within industry and government. Partnerships so far include the City of Cape Town, Western Cape provincial government, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Technology Station for Clothing and Textiles, Monviso Knitwear, Kalunga Trading, House of Monatic, Helma International Trading, Freudenberg, Elle magazine, Foschini and Woolworths.

The CTFC selected a subcommittee in order to establish curation processes and candidate requirements for the programme. Mthente Research and Consulting Services was appointed to carry out the tasks of approaching and contacting designers, processing applications and conducting the framework of the programme with the programme subcommittee.

As part of the programme, a series of workshops will be held to address common issues of concern amongst the finalist companies. These will be open to CTFC members in order to extend the benefits of the programme to other design businesses in the Western Cape.

Applications

Please click here for requirements and criteria. Click here for application form.

Only mentors who meet the above criteria and are able to demonstrate their full potential will be considered.

Or call Nadira Shaboodien at +27 (0) 21 674 0504 or email for application forms, which must be submitted by 4pm Wednesday, 30 September 2009. Late applications will not be considered.

Applications may be posted or delivered to Mthente Research and Consulting Services, Office 101A, 1st Floor, Heritage House, 20 Dreyer Street, Claremont or emailed to .