Fashion Bridges 2023

The Fashion Bridges project is part of a broader effort to promote cultural and economic ties between Italy and South Africa. Italy is known worldwide for its fashion industry, and famous luxury brands.However, Italy also has a long history of craftsmanship and expertise in working with textiles, leather, and other materials. South Africa, on the other hand, is known for its natural resources, including mohair and wool, which are prized for their quality and sustainability. South Africa has incredible creativity that the world finds exciting, and this is what sets South African designers apart from the rest of the world.

Mohair South Africa and Cape Wools were invited by the Italian Embassy in collaboration with South African Fashion Week to attend the Fashion Bridges showroom, which was hosted by the Italian Ambassador to South Africa, Mr Paolo Cuculi.

Guests form Italy included;

·      Mr Massimiliano Giornetti, Director of Polimoda Firenze

·      Mr Paola Ciolina, Project Manager of Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana

·      Italian designer Mr Federico Cina

Local South African designers, buyers, artisans, retail companies, press and fashion school directors attended the showroom which was a networking opportunity to promote trade between Italy and South Africa.

At the Fashion Bridges showroom, guests were treated to a showcase of the latest collections from both South African and Italian designers. In addition, Gugu Peteni, of GugubyGugu showcased her collection made from mohair and wool yarns and fabrics that were all locally sourced and manufactured along with beaded jewellery and shoes created by local artisanal crafters.

One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the collection by the two designers chosen to participate in the project, Federico Cina, an up-and-coming Italian designer, and Lezanne Viviers, a well-known South African designer, and they had the privilege to be mentored by the director of Polimoda Firenze, Mr Massimiliano Giornetti, to produce a range which was showcased at this year’s South African Fashion week.

Overall, the Fashion Bridges project and showroom were a great success, highlighting the talent, creativity, and potential for growth in the fashion industries of both Italy and South Africa. We can only hope that this project continues to flourish and that it serves as a model for other initiatives that seek to promote collaboration and partnership between different cultures and countries in the world of fashion.

Mohair SA would like to thank the Italian Embassy and the South African Fashion Week for including Mohair SA to be part of this successful event and we hope to see the project grow from strength to strength.