Fashion designer, Melinda Gopaul was once under the impression that government programmes only benefited people who are well connected. However, her perceptions have since changed after she was selected to be among the eight designers to benefit from the Municipality’s Fashion Development Programme. The group flew to Italy on Saturday, 08 February 2014, to attend a two months international fashion internship at SAE Comunicazione Integrata in Milan.
Other participants are Buhle Zulu, Nkululeko Njapha, Jacqueline Munsami, Kayleigh Savings, Sanele Cele, Sibusisiwe Msimang and Zamakhosi Mathe.
Gopaul of NOICE Designs, who has had a passion for fashion since she was young, could not hide her excitement.
“It is finally happening; we are now going to Italy to further develop our skills and knowledge. Thank you so much to the Municipality for believing in our talent, words can never describe my gratitude,” said an overjoyed Gopaul just before boarding a flight at the King Shaka International Airport.
The City’s fashion development programme started in 2011 and has already benefitted 16 aspiring designers.
Deputy Mayor and Chairperson of the Economic Development Committee, Cllr Nomvuzo Shabalala said this programme will boost the local designers’ businesses because they will get an opportunity to exhibit their clothing labels at top fashion cities such as Florence, Rome and Venice.
“We established this programme after realized that fashion and textile sectors can contribute to job creation. We have seen some great successes with some designers opening their own shops after completing the programme and creating job opportunities in the process,” added Shabalala.
Looking ahead, Shabalala said the Municipality is confident that this year’s Durban Fashion Fair will be bigger, judging from the positive response from the media, buyers and the public.
“Our platform is for aspiring and well established designers to interact, network and learn from each other,” said Shabalala. She revealed that there are plans to develop a fashion designers’ incubator facility in the City as part of efforts to turn Durban into the fashion capital of South Africa.
Related articles
Rossburgh Substation fire causes electricity outages