Sewing up a storm in Cullinan

Thursday 3 February, Pretoria One of the country’s leading manufacturers of consumer goods, Unilever is offering a number of NGOs around the country a positive start to the year with the opportunity to increase earning power in their communities.

During the next two weeks no less than 400 sewing machines will be donated by SURF to a number of charities in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, empowering women at the NGOs to create an income for themselves and their families.

Ethne Whitley, public affairs manager of Unilever, says handovers have ranged between three and 50 sewing machines at charities throughout the provinces. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to empower women, giving them a good start to 2011.”

Whitley adds, “One of Unilever’s 12 Product of the Year awards winners, SURF is offering NGOs the substance and capacity to help their communities through skills development and increased income.”

The Sizakele Creations project in Cullinan received 10 sewing machines from the SURF team. Sizakele was founded 10 years ago with the aim of empowering community members to improve their sewing skills, income earning capacity and their ability to support themselves.

For the last four years the NGO has been working together with South African Fashion Week’s DAC Fashion Fusion Project. The SAFW focus is on developing designers and fusing design with fashion, and top local designers such as Clive Rundle, Amanda Laird-Cherry and Soda have worked with Sizakele since the project launched.

Ester Scholz, spokesperson for Sizakele, says “Since Sizakele was founded, the group has completed many jobs, large and small, and we would like to see it expand to accommodate more workers, therefore the addition of more sewing machines will be a great advantage.

“At Sizakele Creations, we are always looking to make the most of our opportunities and turn each one into a small victory for our crafters and our creative community.”

Whitley concludes, “SURF’s handover of sewing machines will make a difference to hundreds of families during 2011.”

“Fashion Week has given my business a push in a positive direction and given me inspiration to continue to be the best designer I can possibly be.”
Tarien Malherbe – Non-European

Lucilla Booyzen Wins Shoprite Checkers Women of the Year Award

Photograph: Ivan Naude

The title winners of the new Shoprite Checkers Women of the Year Award which searched for exceptional and visionary women achievers, who with determination and foresight are making an impact on the future of fellow South Africans were announced this weekend (Saturday, 24 July 2010) in Johannesburg.

Receiving the Corner Shop to Big Business Makers Award, Ms Booyzen said the Award is an acknowledgement of the impact that SA Fashion Week has had on the SA public at large.

She added: “Our aim is to create awareness in the minds of the SA consumer to the vast creative design resources that are available to them through our emerging design industry and the unlimited opportunities to create thousands of jobs through building SMME’s and luxury brands which is the future of fashion in Africa”.

Ms Booyzen is a stalwart of the South African Fashion Industry and the woman who launched South African Fashion Week (SAFW). It was the first independent showcase for the country’s fashion designers and has contributed substantially to the growth and future of the South African fashion industry locally and abroad.

She has developed a distinctive South African design ethos and culture through SA Fashion Week, which now also incorporates a number of initiatives to encourage skills transfer, foster new partnerships and support empowerment.

The judging panel commented it was a difficult task to choose one winner as all the nominees are formidable and inspiring. “Ms Booyzen however embodied all the aspects of the criteria and has made an indelible mark in her field locally and internationally, not only for herself, but the individuals she has assisted and South Africa at large.”.

Text: Shoprite Checkers Women of the Year Awards. For more information on the awards evening and other winners, please visit: www.womenoftheyear.co.za

“There is no growth without acknowledgement. SAFW’s concrete foundation has allowed designers to build themselves over the years, refining and redefining their collections over the seasons under the continuous motivation of the architect, Lucilla Booyzen”. - Shaldon Kopman

67 MINUTES FOR MADIBA

SAFW joined forces with local designers and fashionistas to give their 67 minutes at the Lerato Love home.

Lerato Love Home is based in Malboro Gardens, Johannesburg. The home was opened by Margaret Mokoka to provide care for 90 children who have been abused, abandoned, orphaned or affected by HIV/Aids. She also runs a feeding program that feeds 600 children each day. SAFW invited local designers and fashionistas to give 67 minutes of their time to the Lerato Love Home on Sunday the 18th July. Warm fashion products were donated to the charity along with other useful items such as bedding, duvets, pillows, towels, underwear for children, non perishable foods, clothing, shoes, stationery, toiletries and blankets. SAFW donated fluffy customised blankets to the home.




Photography by Kat Grudko Photography

“I found that the exhibition in September last year was a great success, not only did we have brilliant sales but I also made fantastic contacts. I found three shops to supply in Johannesburg. I got to meet and network with designers, some at the same stage as me and some more established, as well as the media.
I would definitely exhibit again, not only are the extra sales great, but it’s an amazing platform to connect with customers, designers and the media.”- Stephanie Beyers, Silver Spoon Clothing

“I made so many contacts and sales at the last exhibition, I was extremely happy with the outcome and the public’s response to my designs.” – Robyn de Klerk