MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Today, Friday 8 April, sees the official launch of the Garden Route Fashion Council (GRFC).

It is a newly-formed platform for designers, artists and models, endorsed by the Garden Route District Municipality, among others.

With a dedicated and passionate committee, the GRFC was founded in 2021 by Tracey-anne Buckley Aggett, former Mrs Universe and business owner and Gwynne Harding from the Mossel Bay municipality's local economic development and tourism office.

Buckley Aggett explains that the GRFC has set out to coordinate a series of projects and programmes to develop local names in the fashion industry into viable, international-standard brands. Training is key to this undertaking, Buckley Aggett confirms.

"Our vision is to educate and train local designers and open and manage partnerships between designers and the suppliers of raw resources, as well local manufacturers. Ultimately, we want to create trade possibilities and enhance the fashion and textile industry within the Garden Route district. Ideally, this will culminate in opportunities at national and international events, expos, conferences and trade shows."

According to Buckley Aggett, the GRFC already has a set calendar of events to be rolled out in 2022.

"This not only includes the highly anticipated launch of the council, but a workshop by international industry specialists Greg Wallis and Helena Blignaut in June. Other events include a brand workshop, the international qualifying runway show in August and fashion pop-up markets scheduled to take place in Mossel Bay and George in December, which we are very excited about."

Presenters of the workshop in June, Wallis and Blignaut bring a wealth of much-needed experience to the Garden Route.

Wallis has been in the fashion business for more than 50 years and acted, among many of his other influential positions, as the lead fashion consultant for both SA and Africa Fashion Week. Blignaut is a guru in fashion, art and design, who worked in Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Latvia, Russia, Japan, USA and Mexico, where her work is well respected.

The invitation launch event takes place at the Chef's Emporium, Diaz Beach Hotel, tonight at 18:30.

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