The meltdown of international, regional and country specific financial institutions and the global economy as a whole and the subsequent trickle-down consequences for consumers is having a negative impact on the apparel industry. Job loss within the apparel manufacturing sector is a possibility and South African designers will find it difficult to maintain and or grow their business operations. The global financial crisis has forced most consumers to re-evaluate their spending in line with "wants" and "needs" when it comes to buying and in particular the purchasing of clothing. This is the time for our politicians to stop the rhetoric about growth, poverty alleviation and the importance the South African apparel sector is for job growth and actually do something tangible. All South African politicians and officials both in South Africa and abroad should begin to wear on a daily basis locally designed and made apparel.
What do you think? "Should South African politicians wear more locally designed and made clothing?
24th November 2008
Did the Office of The President read these comments?
Local really suits you, Mr President
By Political BureauFirst, the diplomatic corps made a fuss about presidential pictures at our embassies, and now the Presidency is making a fashion statement about power suits in the west wing.President Kgalema Motlanthe revealed this week that he bought all his suits from local designers and manufacturers - a PR exercise and a fashion statement with a political tinge.His predecessor, Thabo Mbeki, who was humiliatingly removed by the ANC, meticulously preferred hand-cut, lightweight wool suits from German designer Hugo Boss.
By Political BureauFirst, the diplomatic corps made a fuss about presidential pictures at our embassies, and now the Presidency is making a fashion statement about power suits in the west wing.President Kgalema Motlanthe revealed this week that he bought all his suits from local designers and manufacturers - a PR exercise and a fashion statement with a political tinge.His predecessor, Thabo Mbeki, who was humiliatingly removed by the ANC, meticulously preferred hand-cut, lightweight wool suits from German designer Hugo Boss.
Mbeki occasionally dons Cuban shirts when relaxed. But even his casual wear during punishing public meetings would mostly be golf T-shirts or lumber jackets from the Boss emporium.He was the first president to introduce the two-toned, collared, striped shirts with matching cufflinks that are now the design of choice for BEE hopefuls. But Motlanthe, apart from his signature goatee -is not a real fashionista.
He is however known as a debonair dresser without Mbeki's expensive taste. On Wednesday, it wasn't surprising when a presidential aide called photographers for a photo shoot because the president was receiving locally manufactured suits from the Cape Town-based manufacturer House of Monatic.But another presidential aide was quick to explain that this didn't mean that Motlanthe would exclusively go local, but it was a publicity exercise to give a business boost to the South African manufacturers and designers.
This means we might still see the president in Italian, Nigerian or French designer cuts.The aide explained that Motlanthe did not prefer any particular designer or manufacturer.On the other hand, Motlanthe finds business suits that require a tie suffocating. He usually prefers sleeveless pullover jerseys and long-sleeved checked shirts - a unionist or comradely look.He rarely wore ties when he was still based at Luthuli House as ANC Secretary-General and later as the party's deputy president. "He complains every day about state protocol's strict requirement for a formal dress code," according to a Union Buildings staffer.
Motlanthe's possible successor, Jacob Zuma - that is if the ANC wins next year's elections - prefers Italian straight cuts and luxurious, imported lavish fabrics.He prefers single-breasted suits that allow a smart-casual, tie-less look, but he displays stylistic flair and a good taste in clothes."He wears formal suits and a tie only when he is attending business dinners or court hearings. "But he is very particular with his suits. He always insists on packing five suits when going on a five-day trip," said a senior Luthuli House aide.The formal, black-and-grey presidential dress code was defied by former president Nelson Mandela, whose flashy shirts rattled protocol.
Mandela once refused to wear a tuxedo, questioning the conventional rules and ridiculing his predecessors' choice of three-piece suits and a hat.But the country and the world later accepted him as a flamboyant president with earthly-coloured viscose shirts by Desre Buirski.
The Star: November 22nd 2008
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4 comments:
Thanks for coming last night. I have been reading your website, it is outstanding. It is very good that you highlight the things that you do and you do it very professionally.
Carry on because some one like you is needed for us to catch a wake up
and face reality. It's good to be challenged and your articles make us
stop and think about our own behaviour as well as the times we overlook issues because we are so wrapped up in our own worlds.
Bonnie
This weekend the news broke that current President Kgalema Motlanthe, is buying his new suits for office from Cape-Town based men's wear designers — The House of Monatic.
Makers of the brands Carducci and C², this is the first local fashion house to dress a president for quite some time.
With Mbeki favouring Hugo Boss, and Zuma a fan of Italian suits, it will be an unfortunately short-lived hiatus in buying local for our leader.
But why should SA men buy from our own home-grown designers?
Aside from national pride and stimulating the local retail economy, there are many reasons why it is a fabulous example for our leaders to set.
In many countries around the world, it is considered a massive political and diplomatic faux pas for the country leader to be seen in anything other than locally designed and manufactured garments on official business.
But there are five other reasons to love and live local in South Africa...
Let's talk about the weather
South Africa has a very different climate to that of Europe, where most of the international men's suits are designed and made. This affects the fabric composition and the construction of the suits — particularly the jackets.
While an Italian suit is made for the cold European climate, a local suit will take into consideration the heat of the summer. Fabric, colour and fit, will all accommodate the South African climate — no matter which part of the country you are from.
Style statements
South Africans are not as fond of dressing as formally as our European cousins, and Motlanthe himself has said that he feels suffocated when wearing a suit and tie.
Local designers take this into account when designing suits and there is a broader selection of styles and colours on offer that are more appropriately informal, particularly in the summer ranges.
Shirt selection specifically points to a local aesthetic, with print being more organic and colourful than the standard fare on offer from the international fashion labels.
Bold and beautiful
Lining, cut and colour are all a little more adventurous in South Africa than the classic tailored suits from Saville Row.
The first reason is that while the natural daylight is diffused in Europe, here in SA it is bright and strong. This can be absorbed by a much heartier colour palette. And secondly, South African men are, in general, a bit more robust in character than the leaders of the European nations, so a bolder clothing choice is a more natural fit for their personalities.
We must also bear in mind that the physiology of a South African leader is different to that of the Germans, British or even Italians. Local designers make clothing to work on our bodies, not those of the other nations. As such, a local suit is more likely to fit and flatter your body a bit more.
Listen to your elders
Taking cues from the many indigenous tribes of South Africa, pattern and colour is worked into the designs for our local suits.
The traditional black and grey suit that has been adopted by South African leaders for decades, with the exception of Nelson Mandela, goes against who we are as a people and where we have come from.
While international protocol should be followed wherever possible, there is no reason for our leaders not to do this with a proud, local flair.
Come and get it
We have some wonderful local men's wear designers, like Artistic Soul, that are working almost exclusively in combining the European framework for the suit and current trends with an African aesthetic for both formal and casual wear.
I understand that in the past, this may have been part of the problem — the lack of locally designed men's wear.
But these days, both with the drive from African Fashion International, and the natural development of the industry, there really is a broad and comprehensive selection of choices for our local lads to buy. No more excuses!
A few weeks ago, when writing about local fashion and celebrities, I dissed Carducci for their choice of celebrity ambassadors. And I felt that this let the designers down since I really loved their collection. So it now the time for me to encourage all you trendy South African men out there to go and give their range a go, just like our current President.
With the C² one-button suit jacket, complete with slim lapels and electric lining a shining light in their collection, anyone with an eye for style will be spoiled for choice.
Buy local for the fit, colour, price and style — and land up supporting our local retail and fashion industry at the same time. What could be more patriotic than that?
Robbyn
Errm, i think not...
Euro-suits come in winter and summer flavours Robyn, as well as in different thread counts and fabrics.
Perhaps, you should do your homework before stating that they aren't suitable for an SA summer.
Also, what about the cut and the qualty of the stitching? PLease name an SA designer that can properly assemble a men's formal/suit jacket.... zonky
suits
it has nothing to do with the brand. but with the price. you will never hear in parlament anyone talk about a suit costing R3000.00. this is not dignified enough. a men in there position must spend R10.000.00 and more on suits. R1000.00 a shirt. why should any official drive a mer CLS350. or a 4x4 VW Tourage. TO MAKE THEMSLEVES IMPORTANT. that is the truth . they didn't go to exile to drive VW Passat. a cabinet minister in SA drive a more expensive car then the prime minister of Ebgland. and around him there are more body guard .no wander our people are starving.homeless, angry.. Daniel
ALL HAIL ZUMA!
ALL HAIL ZUMA, THA CHAMPION OF THE POOR!! (how do you sing "bring me my italian suit" in zulu?). julius
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