Represent Review: Fashion is good for the Soul
Our Fashion Fundi Vincent Zondo attended the Old Mutual Soul Sessions last week and resoundingly rates it an official ‘must attend’. Some people foolishly believe fashion can get by on talent alone, a good small-business understanding is PARAMOUNT to creating a profitable, growing brand – aha, lightbulb moment? don’t say we didn’t try to convince you otherwise… Durbanites and Port Elizabethans, you still have a chance to catch the sessions:
While sporting the ultimate “it” bag from GUCCI – Betty Suarez (from the hit TV series – UGLY BETTY) said, “Fashion is GOOD for the soul”. Staying true to this statement is the Old Mutual Soul Sessions’ which is my MUST attend event for all the soul providers, designer’s, fashionistas and young entrepreneurs this pre-Spring. I personally love this time of the year because the fashion industry is buzzing and dishing out plates of excitement, glamour and cutting edge designs that keep us perched on the edge of our front row seats. It’s an absolute bloom of all things fabulous, new fashion trends, the discovery of that all-new designer with the potential to take the industry to new heights or secure our Fashion on the global map. The Joburg Fashion Week hit us three weeks ago, Virgin Mobile Cape Town fashion week took place last week and I am so looking forward to the Sanlam Fashion week this coming week.
And while all these events carry fresh talent, piping hot trends and chic designs, I recently unearthed a new gem in the basket, and it has the potential to inject much-needed fashion business sense into this industry.
The-Venue in Melrose Arch saw the dawn of the much anticipated Old Mutual Soul Session (which we profiled last week) and the experience was beyond measure. This exceptional event shed some light into the path of success like no other that I have witnessed before. Speakers like Pie Pacifique shared the most intimate details of how they got to the top; what stood out for me here were the benefits our designers could gain, and most importantly the power of the human spirit in testing times – post this session I truly felt that the potential to survive this cut-throat arena is very much within reach.
And when Sonwabile Ndamase exposed us to some of his newly discovered proteges from his fashion awards event – the crowd raved through the roof at the potential of these young designers. Young designers have been observing the innovators of our growing fashion industry and this inspiration plus the combination of talent, hard-work as well as essential business savvy skills required, will ensure success for their path.
Durbanites get a chance to feast on this exclusive experience this Sat – 23 Aug at the Hilton Hotel, with PE on the 30 Aug at the boardwalk conference centre. GO GO GO.
For more information: Visit www.oldmutual.co.za/soulsessions and tickets are available at Computicket for R195
Vincent Zondo
