Cape Town Fashion Council

Summary

Registered as an industry association in 2006, not-for-profit Cape Town Fashion Council pioneers the South African fashion philosophy “We are all fashion” and represents, develops, supports and grows its fashion sector. The Council represents over nine hundred members including local fashion brands and industry stakeholders within the Clothing and Textiles value chain. Its strategic goals are to develop and support the fashion industry in the Western Cape so that local fashion designers grow their market share.

History

Registered as an industry association in 2006, Cape Town Fashion Council represents over 900 members including local fashion brands and industry stakeholders within the Clothing and Textiles value chain. Its strategic goals are to provide initiatives that develop and support the fashion industry in the Western Cape as well as ensuring that local fashion designers maintain and grow their market share. Key services of the Cape Town Fashion Council include a Fashion Industry Development Programme to facilitate and provide relevant industry information and research; facilitate links with key stakeholders in the industry to invest in emerging fashion talent; network and market to increase industry visibility on the global fashion landscape; advocate and develop policies.

Vision

The vision of the Cape Town Fashion Council is rooted in positioning the Western Cape as a hub of fashion excellence that is both nationally influential and globally recognised for its creativity, quality, and cultural authenticity. By embracing the inclusive philosophy of ‘We are all fashion,’ the Council seeks to cultivate a fashion identity that reflects South Africa’s diversity while empowering local designers to thrive in both domestic and international markets. Through strategic initiatives, the Council aims to strengthen the entire clothing and textiles value chain—supporting innovation, market access, and the global competitiveness of over 900 member brands and stakeholders.

A key part of the Council’s vision is building a sustainable and resilient fashion ecosystem where emerging talent and established businesses can flourish. By offering platforms like the ‘Fashion Closet’ marketplace and the ‘Accelerated Reboot Classrooms,’ the Council provides practical, business-oriented solutions that address the realities of post-pandemic recovery, digital transformation, and global market demands. Through policy advocacy, educational programmes like ‘Cultivate,’ and partnerships across the value chain, the Cape Town Fashion Council envisions a future where local fashion businesses are not only profitable but also socially impactful, culturally relevant, and internationally respected.

Mission

The mission of the Cape Town Fashion Council is to develop, support, and grow the fashion industry in the Western Cape by empowering local designers, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders across the clothing and textiles value chain. Through strategic initiatives, industry partnerships, and accessible business development programmes, the Council aims to enhance market access, increase competitiveness, and foster sustainable growth for small to medium fashion enterprises. At its core, the Council is committed to promoting inclusivity, innovation, and excellence, ensuring that the region’s fashion talent is equipped to thrive in both local and global markets.

Services

Cape Town Fashion Council provides several services to the fashion community. Its online marketplace ‘Fashion Closet’ is a one-stop solution for fashion designers to retail their products online in a collaborative environment. The website mimics the aesthetic of a traditional online retailer without the shortcoming and costs that erode into the vendor’s profits. The platform also allows the designers to have control over their logistics, distribution, price points, and lead time to cope with consumer demand and the council has a safe payment gateway between Buyer and Seller. ‘Fashion Cluster’ hosts the Accelerated Reboot Classrooms for fashion businesses.

The programme is designed to support small and medium enterprises in the fashion industry and offers business assistance from various consultants, who would usually charge a fee for their services.  Overall, it offers the opportunity to rebuild, restructure, and reassess business operations post- pandemic. It combines theory with practical work, which provides small fashion businesses with fundamental business information, documentation, and general business structures. Lastly, ‘Cultivate’ is a digital classroom where fashion designers can meet and learn from industry stakeholders.