Tag: Fashion

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICAN — Major retail chains all around the country are increasingly putting labels on clothing with images of the South African flag. It’s an endeavor to support the textile and apparel industry in the nation.

According to the government, approximately 60% of the textiles sold by South African merchants are imported, with China accounting for the majority of these imports.

Retailers who have endorsed a government master plan to assist small companies in their community claim that there are more advantages besides merely employment development.

“Being able to have the goods created locally means that you can actually adapt to what the client requires more efficiently, which is really what any shop wants to move towards more quickly response,” said Hazel Pillay, general manager of retailer Pick & Pay Clothing.

Pick n Pay Clothing is one of the merchants boosting its supplies of locally based goods from 28% in 2019 to 40% in the present, along with Woolworth’s, Mr. Price, and Truworth’s. Following the worldwide trade disruptions brought on by the coronavirus epidemic as well as record unemployment, the change is currently gathering momentum.

A young designer named Katekani Moreku who was brought in to help with the project said, “It gave me a lot of attention and provided me a lot of publicity. I believe that it will have a significant impact that will increase the number of jobs for all generations in the times we currently live in when there is a very high rate of unemployment.

In 2020, according to Moreku’s estimation, his partnership with Pick n Pay generated roughly 1,000 jobs throughout the manufacturing and digital marketing sectors.

The goal of the South African government is to create 121,000 new textile jobs by 2030, and this is what they want to achieve.

More funding is required.
However, merchants warn it will necessitate spending on entrepreneur assistance and skill-training, including Pick n Pay’s Pillay.

“Yes, the talents were easily accessible before the 2000s, “added Pillay. “And as [manufacturing] shifted to China, investments in machinery and talent development all but vanished. However, I believe that if we looked at the state of the local economy in another 10 years, we would see a revival in some of that type of locally produced goods.

The retailer wants to source 60% of all textile products locally during the next five years, so that growth is required.

However, analysts caution that simply establishing quotas and targets won’t be sufficient to revive the business.
According to Dawie Roodt, chief economist for financial services company Efficient Group, “the government needs to become much more efficient if you want to have more investments in textile and more localization in textile, or any industry for that matter. Make sure, for instance, that the infrastructure is in good working order, that investing in South Africa is safe, and similar things.

Local manufacturers are unable to produce and deliver goods due to frequent power outages and deteriorating rails.

Additionally, there are also real-world obstacles to reducing the $3 billion trade deficit between China and South Africa.

“Remember that they have scale economies, “added Roodt. “South Africa is a small nation in comparison to China. Therefore, I don’t think we’ll be able to compete very well.

But for aspiring designers, even a slight improvement in the regional economy offers promise for the future.

Content courtesy of VOA & NFH

Fashion trends change frequently over time, but the majority of them return. Trends, like fashion, are constantly changing. We have a few ’90s fashion staples that are currently popular, just as polka dots from the 1950s to the 1960s are still popular.

From mom jeans to oversized sweaters, some outfits have been endorsed by the fashion world and are making a comeback in our closets. These clothes do not have to be worn in the same way they were in the 1990s. With some creative styling, these 1990s fashions are timeless.

Jeans for Mom ( Mom’s Jeans)

You know the look: high waist, loose-fitting leg with just the right amount of taper at the ankle, rolled up and finished with a sandal or other delicate footwear. Mom jeans have returned! Mom jeans are making a comeback, which is great news for those of us who prefer a little extra room.
Skinny jeans are no longer the only type of pants on the market.
Wide-leg jeans are unquestionably the most comfortable pants for the current season.
Crop tops were previously the only clothing item worn with wide pants. They are, however, increasingly being worn with blazers.

Pants with cargo pockets (Cargo pants)

Cargo pants were first worn by the British military as part of their Battle Dress Uniforms in 1932.

These new cargo trousers are far more form-fitting and edgy than the shorts or cargo pants we were all embarrassed to wear in the 1990s! Slim-fit cargo pants can be worn with modern sneakers and graphic t-shirts for a cool, casual look.

Dresses with Corsets (Corset Dresses)

The corset, a garment that is always on the verge of making a comeback in fashion circles, has recently gained a lot more traction. Bridgerton, a period romance television series, has sparked a surge in female interest. Corsets were first fashioned from bulkier materials. Steel and bone stiffeners were added to them by the 18th century.

They were worn at the time to constrict women’s hips and breasts, giving them a cone-like appearance.
Corsets are no longer a required part of formal attire, even for the royals, so if a lady is wearing one now, it’s likely because she wants to, just as the majority of women did in the 19th century.

Cropped tops (Crop tops)

Crop tops are a popular choice for athleisure, ethnic wear, and denim pairing. We had no idea, however, that crop top fashion dates all the way back to the 1990s. Miniskirts and wide-leg pants would then be paired with crop tops.

However, we now have a large selection of clothing to match our crop tops with. Crop tops don’t appear to be going away anytime soon.

Jeans with a waistband (High-waisted jeans)

This look is suitable for both men and women. High-waisted jeans have been popular again in recent years, and they aren’t going away anytime soon. These pants have remained popular throughout the ages, evolving to meet the demands of the most recent fashion trends.

We’re glad high-waisted jeans are back in style because they were popular in the 1980s.

That isn’t the only thing that has made a comeback. It goes without saying that 1990s fashion is always in style, and we’ve recently seen even more creative ways to wear these chic clothes. We will never be able to refuse a fantastic Y2K moment.

Content courtesy of Face 2 Face Africa , H_art The Band & NHF