A study by the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (DTIC) and the South African Cotton Cluster (SACC ) views South African fashion designers can help revive manufacturing and create jobs in the country post COVID-19. Titled, ‘Assessing the Economic Value of the Designer Fashion Sector in South Africa’, the study concludes designers have substantial growth opportunities within an evolving local middle-class market estimated to be worth approximately R180 billion.

It notes the sector can aggressively target the growing upper-middle class of South Africa. It also identifies opportunities for this segment to position itself in line with changing societal trends and influences, particularly when it comes to growing the ‘slow fashion’ segment of the clothing market. Researchers note that international markets have already begun to shift their buying behavior towards ‘slow fashion’ which favors small-scale, responsibly-produced products. The South African designer clothing sector is incredibly well-placed to adopt this slow fashion mentality and cater to this growing trend, says the study.