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GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - If the launch event of the Garden Route Fashion Council is any indication of what is yet to come, the region may soon be the new kid on the style block.
The Garden Route Fashion Council (GRFC) was born in 2021.
It is the brainchild of former international beauty queen and business woman, Tracey-anne Buckley Aggett, and Gwynn Harding, a key role player in the development of creative industries on behalf of the Mossel Bay Municipality.
At last week's launch event, hosted at Chef's Emporium, Diaz Hotel, and sponsored by renowned chef and businessman, Emile Nel, also a member of the GRFC, guests had a taste of a mini fashion week, with all the glitz and glam to boot.
Among the invited guests were members of the business chambers of both George and Mossel Bay, top management of Transnet National Ports Authority in Mossel Bay, politicians, local and district executive municipal councillors, prominent business leaders and influential opinion leaders, to name a few.
Executive mayor of Mossel Bay, Alderman Dirk Kotzé, made no secret of his excitement about the initiative as a vehicle towards growing the local economy.
"It is not uncommon, using creative industries to stimulate economic growth. We see examples in other towns, smaller than Mossel Bay, using this with great success," Kotzé said and added that there was no reason Mossel Bay and surrounding towns in the Garden Route could not leverage fashion and other related industries in the same way.
Councillor Rosina Ruiters, whose gorgeous granddaughter participated as one of the models supplied by Judy Westraad from Classical Protocol, delivered the endorsement speech on behalf of the Garden Route District Municipality, where she serves as a council member. Ruiters also sits on the local municipal council.
"The Garden Route District Municipality welcomes the economic spin-off that may follow from the training and development opportunities offered by the Garden Route Fashion Council to all our local designers, artists and others involved in the fashion industry," said Ruiters. She specifically pointed out how the youth may benefit, considering the high unemployment rate.
A great platform
Local designers featured during the event included George-based Austin Lee with a stunning collection of evening and bridal wear. Three Mossel Bay designers, Christelle Louw (Loka), Emily Bunting (Bunting Boutique) and Waves Surf Shop, offered peeks from their latest collections.
Lee has shown his belief and passion for local design talent by presenting a custom-made dress to Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters at the tender age of 22 in 2018.
He then spoke to the George Herald, sister publication of the Mossel Bay Advertiser about the quality of work by designers on the Garden Route.
Emily Bunting says her brand is all about making women feel beautiful without breaking the back.
Christelle Louw started her clothing brand in 2016 with two seamstresses and now provides work to 40 staff. Her brand has outlets in Mossel Bay, George, Bethelehem and the East Rand (Gauteng). Amanda Sheppard has been running a successful beachwear and accessories business, Waves Surf Shop, in Mossel Bay for decades.
D Studio was responsible for the models' hair and make-up at the launch event.
Since the GRFC is all about creating a platform for the creative industry as a collective, two young female vocalists, Lujah representing George and Annabeth from Mossel Bay, performed at the event.
"We realised we are not doing enough for the creative industry in our area and that was the main thrust behind establishing the Garden Route Fashion Council," Harding said at the launch event.
During a vote of thanks, Buckley-Aggett handed out certificates of appreciation to the participating partners and sponsors. Her big dream is for Mossel Bay to ultimately host the Mrs Universe event.
As part of its event calendar this year, the GRFC has a brand creation workshop in May presented by Buckley Aggett, an expert in the field; a five-day workshop in June, with internationally acclaimed presenters Greg Wallis and Helena Blignaut; an international qualifying runway show in August and fashion pop-up markets planned for Mossel Bay and George.
"We are thrilled with the turnout and response at our first event. Therefore, we invite any partners to join us in growing this industry, because we want to share our vision. And we want to speak to all our local designers, because fashion is a statement and an international language spoken throughout the world, in forms of expressions through artistic cultures, collections, seasons and places. It brings the world together in a complementary manner," concludes Buckley Aggett.
The models with Tracey-anne Buckley Aggett (left), Councillor Anton Dellemijn (third from left), Gwynn Harding (second from right) and Alderman Dirk Kotze (right), mxecutive Mayor of Mossel Bay. Buckley-Aggett and Harding are the directors of the Garden Route Fashion Council. Photo: Julian Scholtz
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