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UWC partners with Wear SA on Fashion Incubator Store

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) has entered into a five-year agreement with Wear South African (WearSA) that involves the launch of a retail clothing store at the Community and Health Sciences Faculty building in the Bellville CBD.

WearSA is a movement driven through the collective vision of a local network of South African fashion industry activists striving to make a difference through design, manufacturing and retail in the clothing and textile industry. The key stakeholder is the Southern African Clothing & Textiles Workers Union (SACTWU).

The new retail space, launching on 15 October, is said to be the first design and entrepreneurship incubator store of its kind in South Africa. Eighteen students have been identified as the first intake of the incubator store and they have received training in every area relevant to this sector. Students who work and learn in this incubator will receive a monthly stipend from WearSA.

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Students on campus will have direct access to a space that focuses on the growth and development of knowledge of the local manufacturing industry. WearSA also recognises that in order to encourage students to wear locally manufactured clothing, it needs to consider affordability, which is why prices have been adjusted accordingly.

The store will stock garments from the following well known local brands: Magents, X94, DOD, Blue Collar White Collar and WEAR.

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Promoting entrepreneurship, local procurement

“It is a pioneering concept to promote local procurement and hence local jobs, while at the same time providing practical entrepreneurial development skills to students,” said Andre Kriel, general secretary: South African Clothing and Textile Workers Union (SACTWU).

Charleen Duncan, director: Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at UWC, said it is crucial for students to think about job creation and not only job seeking. “We want to build an entrepreneurial mindset and a pioneering spirit in all UWC graduates. This opportunity exposes students to the local manufacturing as well as the retail sectors,” said Duncan.

“Incubators are vital within an academic space if we want to enhance the development of an entrepreneurial mindset. The store will also be a space for student designers to work with established designers and to have an opportunity to sell their garments. The importance of investing in youth, innovation, entrepreneurship, and the manufacturing sector cannot be ignored if we want to meet the goal of creating the additional 11 million jobs by 2030 that the National Development Plan refers to.”

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Wayne Van Der Rheede, CEO of WearSA, added: “This is a first for Wear South African and Proudly South African in our campaign to strengthen ‘Buy South Africa First’, ‘Buy Locally Designed Manufactured Apparel’. The decision to implement this incubator store by the University of the Western Cape shows foresight by contributing meaningfully to address the high unemployment rate in our country.”

SACTWU is in support of this initiative as it aligns with the broader vision of increasing job opportunities and strengthening the clothing and textile sector. “We hope that important teething lessons can be learned from this initiative, and for its successes to be duplicated at other universities,” Kriel concluded.

Fashion Quote of the Day

How to dress your age

How to dress your age

As Aaliyah knew, age ain’t nothing but a number. Particularly when it comes to your clothes. Entering a new decade doesn’t mean you need to bin your old wardrobe at midnight – if you’ve got a bus pass but still feel good in skinny jeans and band tees, then go you.

But it’s equally true that, as you grow up, your wardrobe can too. A man’s style is based on many things – his work, his family, the depth of his pockets – and these are constantly shifting. The things you dressed for as a student don’t hold true two decades on, so it’s smart to update what’s in your wardrobe to suit your new circumstances.

What shouldn’t concern you is what is – or isn’t – ‘age-appropriate’. Great style is about confidence, not rules; if you’re comfortable in what you wear, then it doesn’t matter how many candles were on your last birthday cake. “There’s this idea that young guys have to dress one way and middle-aged guys should dress a different way,” says Thread stylist Toby Standing. “But that’s nonsense. You should wear clothes you love and that look good on you.”

What follows, then, is not a prescriptive list of looks that will place you firmly in the camp of either mutton, or lamb. Rather, it’s a set of ideas to guide your style as you grow up, should you ever find yourself in front of your wardrobe thinking, “Is this still me?” Take as little or as much heed of them as you like. Because the best way to dress your age is to know what looks good at any age.

How to dress in your 20s

It’s a hard, fast (and unfair, to the rest of us) rule of style that the younger you are, the more you can get away with. But since this is the time when you’re working out who you are and how you want the world to see you, your wardrobe should be in flux, too. “Think about your 20s as the groundwork for what comes later,” says Toby. Nothing looks bad on you right now, so test out extremes to find out what looks best.

“Fit is especially playable with when you’re younger,” says Toby. “You’ll look good in skinny, you’ll look good in loose, so try everything to find out what you prefer.” The more you sample, the more confident you can be that when you commit to a style, you’ve made the right choice.

To make style-hopping easier on your wallet, build your wardrobe around a few versatile items that you can dress in different ways. Indigo jeans dress up with a blazer, if you’re feeling preppy, but will also support dips into streetwear (add a hoodie and bomber), workwear (try a chore jacket and boots) or even Scandi minimalism (a black overcoat and white trainers). That way, one wardrobe can feel different every day.

How to dress in your 30s

Your 30s are a decade of change; jobs get serious, relationships even more so. With marriage, mortgages and mini-mes on your mind, it’s hard to find time for your wardrobe. So you need clothes that do the work for you.

“In your 30s, quality should be your watchword,” says Toby. “Buy less, but buy better.” That youthful experimentation has hopefully resulted in you knowing what looks good on you, so take the clothes you wear most often and upgrade them. “Better fabrics, better construction and better brands will have a huge effect on how you look. You can stick to outfits you know work, but they’ll look more distinctive.”

In your 30s, cost-per-wear should guide every purchase. Disposable clothes are great when you jump trends every few months. Now, the smart choice is to buy well-made items that will last, because your style’s unlikely to shift before they wear out. “Invest in quality shoes, jeans, shirts, tailoring and outerwear,” says Toby. Spending here buys you not just good looks, but also longevity. “If a pair of boots costs twice as much but lasts four times as long, then they work out cheaper.” Twice the style, half the cost.

How to dress in your 40s

Your fifth decade is when risk-taking can backfire. There’s no reason you shouldn’t keep up with trends, but when you’ve got a few crow’s feet, edgy dressing can appear as you’re distracting from something. Like an overnight shift in hair colour from salt and pepper to all-black, suddenly adopting a uniform of skinny jeans and biker jackets just draws attention to what you’re covering up.

That’s certainly not to say that 40-year-olds should live in smart-casual. “It’s just that the extremities move a little closer to the centre,” says Toby. “Rather than trying a brand new style, now’s the time to play with things like pattern, texture and fabrication.” Updating styles and outfits you know look good on you with different details means you can take new steps, but with a safety net.

“You should be adding to your wardrobe, not recreating it,” says Toby. Those quality pieces you bought in your 30s should still be there, which means you can spend your money on things that will elevate an entire outfit by themselves, like a great pair of brogues, a cashmere jumper, or a beautiful, unstructured blazer. “You’ve got classic pieces, so everything new should build on their foundation,” says Toby. “It means you can be comfortable spending a bit more, because every addition creates five or six new outfits.”

How to dress in your 50s and up

In less enlightened times, your 50s were when a man gave style up and began to prioritise comfort over aesthetics. Well, tosh. You should be comfortable, but not in an elasticated-waist kind of way; rather, you should know exactly what suits you, which clothes and brands you like best, and have a handle on how to wear your wardrobe.

“The biggest change you can make in your 50s is to nail fit,” says Toby. “Now’s not the time to try odd new trends, but rather to make the style that works for you even more refined.” Your body shape has probably changed a touch since your 20s, so find a tape measure and find out how. Then focus on finding clothes that your new shape look its best. “If you don’t know, you can message your stylist and they’ll be able to suggest pieces that fit perfectly.”

With your dependents now (hopefully) more independent, this is also the time to add a couple of bigger ticket items that will lift everything you’ve already got; a nice watch, say, or an overcoat that does more than just keep out the cold. “You can spend that money more readily if you know that those things will add to an already excellent set of clothes,” says Toby. “They can be a finishing touch that makes everything you wear feel more luxurious.”

Illustrations: David Doran

fashion Quote of the Day

Adidas by Stella McCartney debuts post-mastectomy sports bra

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Adidas by Stella McCartney has launched the brand’s first Post-Mastectomy Sports Bra, a post-operative bra created to empower breast cancer survivors to introduce sport and fitness back into their lives.

The sports bra was created in partnership with bra consultant, Monica Harrington, who has over 30 years of experience in the industry. Harrington has worked closely with breast cancer patients, gaining extensive knowledge of their needs post-surgery, which she imparted when working with Adidas and Stella McCartney.

Tailored fit and features

The new sports bra is constructed with unique design features that cater to the needs of women who have had surgery as part of their treatment for breast cancer. Prioritising comfort and support, the Post-Mastectomy Sports Bra has been constructed with ultra-soft fabric that provides a luxurious feel to the skin, whilst sweat-wicking Climalite technology works to keep skin dry.

In addition, four unique design features have been tailored to the needs of women who have undergone surgery for breast cancer:

Front zip closure – The front fastening closure allows for easy closure when dressing and undressing, tailored to women with restricted movement post-mastectomy.

Front pockets – The soft inner front pockets with removable pads are unique to the mastectomy bra, ensuring prosthetics are kept firmly secured during various intensity workouts.

Strategic seam placement – Strategic placements of seams around the arms reduce discomfort and irritation to areas of the skin that prone to sensitivity due to surgical scarring.

Adjustable straps – Designed to provide a controlled fit and high support, the adjustable straps allow for versatility of wear and comfort, accompanied with a wide under band for optimum fit.

The Adidas by Stella McCartney Post-Mastectomy Sports Bra is a the latest addition to the ongoing creative partnership, supporting a cause close to McCartney’s heart, following the loss of her mother, Linda McCartney to the disease in 1998.

Stella McCartney comments: “With the Post-Mastectomy Sports Bra, I really wanted to encourage women to take care of their health through wellness and self-care. This bra allows us to support recovering patients through the next phase of their journey, and hopefully give them the confidence to get back into training. It has a cool and modern look that will help motivate the wearer, as well as assuring them, they are not odd one out in the gym.”

Michele Aboro

Alongside the launch of the Post-Mastectomy Sports Bra, the campaign features British professional boxer Michele Aboro, who is a breast cancer survivor, mother and mentor.

“After my surgery I felt lost. As a professional athlete, I was used to relying on my body but after my mastectomy, I started to lose belief in myself and how my body would react. When I was ready to get back into fitness, I couldn’t find a sports bra that didn’t require being pulled over my head or lacked in support. Now I wear the Post-Mastectomy Sports Bra every time I train – it is comfortable and supportive and has helped me build back my confidence to get back into the game,” Aboro explains.

Fashion Quote of the Day

AFI Fashion Week to open with African Fashion Unites show

The African Fashion International (AFI) Fashion Week – which will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg from 10 to 12 October 2019 – will open with the African Fashion Unites show.

The show will be a fusion of African cuisine and music – which will accompany a Pan-African fashion showcase with designers: Christie Brown (Ghana), Maxhosa (SA), Gavin Rajah (SA), Eric Raisina (Madagascar), Mai Atafo (Nigeria), Kahindo Mateena (DRC/USA), Laurence Airline (Ivory Coast), KLûK CGDT (SA), Moshions (Rwanda) and Neo Serati (SA).

AFI Fashion Week to open with African Fashion Unites show

Unite in diversity

The opening show will see performances from renowned artists such as Cassper Nyovest, Femi Kuti and the highly popular Ndlovu Youth Choir, with a special Pan African menu designed by Chef Coco of Epicure Restaurant.

The Motsepe Foundation is a call for Africans to unite, will support the African Fashion Unites show. The Foundation – which focuses on programs in tertiary education, women’s empowerment, support of small-scale farmers and SMEs – has in the past promoted initiatives that promote social cohesion viz Global Citizens Concert amongst others.

“Africa belongs to Africans,” declares executive chairperson of AFI, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe. “The continent needs to unite in its diversity.”

With six of the fastest-growing economies in the world hailing from Africa and the youth population estimated to reach 300 million by 2030, the economic growth and development of the African continent through local production and consumption could see a self-sufficient continent, with a substantial reduction in poverty levels. Add technology and innovation in this picture and the future looks promising for Africa.

“AFI believes in the promise of Africa. With the recently concluded continent-wide AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area), the continent has a large enough market to increase intra-African trade,” says Moloi-Motsepe.

The creative industries, including the fashion and clothing sector – which is estimated at $2.4trn globally and $31bn in sub-Saharan Africa – will seize major market share as local consumers forgo highly-taxed imports and embrace locally produced, good quality, unique and competitively-priced clothing.

“The creative sector can create jobs along its value chain, with collaboration between countries and using the expertise and local knowledge that exist on the continent. This will go a long way to reducing current high unemployment levels especially amongst women and youth,” adds Moloi-Motsepe.

Tickets available via Webtickets.

Fashion Quote of the Day

Athleisure Will Surpass Fashion as Largest Footwear Category in 2020

By Deborah D’Souza

As the trend of comfortable and functional shoes continues to grow in the U.S., athletic-inspired casual sneakers will surpass fashion as the largest footwear category in 2020 and drive U.S. footwear sales growth through 2021, according to a recent note from market research company The NPD Group. According to the firm’s Retail Tracking Service, in the 12 months ending August 2019, sport leisure footwear grew 7%, while fashion declined 5% and performance footwear sales fell 7%.

“I expect that in the upcoming years, more brands will effectively respond to the shift away from performance and fashion footwear to focus on what has become the new norm: athleisure footwear,” said Matt Powell, a senior industry advisor at NPD said. “The nature of fitness in the U.S. has changed, and this has been a major contributor to footwear market shifts. Consumers are committed to a healthy lifestyle, but that commitment is lighthearted. They no longer define themselves by their sports activities. As a result, consumers are looking for shoes that are less technical and instead more versatile and every day.”

Growth in this category will be driven by running- and basketball-inspired styles, according to the note, and the men’s and kid’s markets will lead it. Analysts expect the fashion category to rebound slightly in 2021 when silhouettes adapt to what’s popular and become more comfort-oriented with features like lower and thicker heels.

Sports clothing is increasingly being used for daily activities, and Morgan Stanley expects global athletic wear sales to reach $355 billion in 2021, up from $290 billion in 2017.

Shares in Nike Inc. (NKE) hit an all-time-high last week after a better-than-expected earnings report. Along with other big brands like Adidas and Lululemon Athletica Inc. (LULU), the company has benefited in a big way from the athleisure trend globally and makes known its emphasis on style. InfluencerDB analyzed 5.5 million Instagram posts from 2018 and found that Nike was the fifth best-performing brand in influencer marketing with Earned Media Value (EMV) of over $168 million. It placed just behind Inditex’s popular clothing brand Zara. It appears sneakers aren’t simply having a multi-year moment, they’re set to take over.

“From competition to fitness to light activity to play, our more inclusive view on design is opening up new lanes of opportunity for growth,” said Mark Parker, Nike CEO, during the latest earnings call. He added, “The global shift toward more active lifestyles continues to accelerate, and demand for athletic product is high. As a company, we have a sharper focus on these areas that will drive the greatest growth.”

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