Complements
of Department of Arts and Culture (DAC), whilst attending #DesignIndaba
2014 I spent some time chatting to some of the Emerging Designers they
sponsored to showcase at DI Expo. It was quite interesting spending time with
some of the future creative leaders (that’s me being optimistic). Casually
seating on the carpet next to their stands and listening to their creative way
of thinking and how they foresee their future businesses. Their struggles, joys, what
drives and inspires them, to be the great they are today amongst their peers
and the greatest they can (or will) become.
Renee Nicole Sander is a 25 years old, free
spirited Cape Town based Fashion designer. She has an incredible aura about her
that just makes you feel at ease when you around her!
Renee shared with me that she has an interest in
doing a menswear collection in the near future but that will come once she
really has established what direction she is taking her brand.
Her graduate collection was quite avant garde, as
depicted in lookbook above. She is still yet to reach the designer
crossroad where her creative brilliance meets commercialization. That will
allow her to come to the decision of whether she is heading right or left. This
will be a mental point of departure for her; which will lead to a destination where she
can create aesthetically appealing garments. Which are commercially viable for
a specified target market. Welcome to the business of fashion.
My advice to her was that, if this ready-to-wear
thing doesn’t work out she can always be an incredible costume designer for
movie production houses. There is still big money there. In any case here is a
Q&A session I had with Renee...
1. As a
young emerging South African creator (designer) what are some of your biggest frustrations about the industry you operate in. What is it you would like
to see change and what is your solution recommendation?
For me, the biggest frustration in the South
African fashion industry is the lack of understanding for conceptual fashion
design. I feel that maybe through more introduction of conceptual fashion that
we could mould the local eye to become more accepting to new fashion ideas.
2.
What are you most positive about with regards to the (South) African creative
and design industry?
The most exciting thing about the South African
creative community is the rate it is growing at. Being the World Design Capital
will help our growing community gain a stronger voice. As our community grows,
I feel we can all be more open to our unique style of design. We are no longer
stuck to traditional design ways of South Africa and have more room to explore
and experiment.
3. Was
this your first time exhibiting at the Design Indaba under the Emerging
Creatives' Programme and how has the whole experience helped you and
exposed you most to. As the expo ends today what are you taking with you that
you will apply later on to your design business model?
This year was my first time exhibiting at the
Design Indaba as an Emerging Creative, as well as the first time presenting my
collection to the open public. I think the best part of being an Emerging
Creative is the networking. It was so great to meet local creatives; as well as
get to know the fashion industry a bit better. I met so many interesting people
from the local and international creative community that are either new to the
industry, like me, or have had experience in the field. It is a comforting
thing to know that we are all in the same boat.
Things to apply to my business model:
· Market yourself continuously, as you know your
product best.
· Collaborate with other local creatives to gain
interest and new ideas.
· Be brave with your design ideas but supply basics
too, as conceptual ideas draw interest but smaller sales.
· Stand behind your work no matter what. Being proud
of your product is so important in this competitive industry.
4. Do
you feel that the Department of Arts and Culture’s Emerging Creatives programme
at Design Indaba is enough as a government’s initiative to support South
African creative talent?
I feel we should always push to achieve more local
support for the creative community but the Emerging Creatives programme really
does help to promote new talent and that this year I was really proud to have
been a part of that.
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