When traditional patterns become trends.

Hey ree-bots,

I'm sure you all know and have seen the tribal trends this year. It has been around for a few years but this year the trend really caught on. Today I`ll be looking and discussing this trend and the accusations being made against it and really Are our own traditional patterns  safe?



 

 

Native Americans.

This trend was said to be taken from the Native- Americans. Apparently they were not happy at all that their traditions are becoming trends. In  2009 when this trend graced the runways of  New York. They said that these prints were created by their fore fathers for their cultures not runways. They were complaining that what the fashion industry is doing is pure disrespect. There is a fine line to getting inspired to using other peoples traditional wear prints. To me this was not fair at all, its inappropriate and they should really apologise to this culture of people. Read more from this site http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/why-the-native-fashion-trend-is-pissing-off-real-native-americans/

The Ndebele tradition.

The Ndebele tradition is one of many traditions in the country of South Africa. The first thing that I love about it is culture is the beautiful colours they use in their blankets, wall paintings, their dolls, the way they dress and the best of all their bead work. I love the Ndebele culture no lie. The  Ndebele  culture has many elements to copy from their bead work to their traditional wear. International celebrity Kim Kardashian is wearing a Ndebele inspired  maxi dress in the picture on the right. It is such situations that designs get copied. The pattern is exactly like the one in the picture with the Ndebele wall paintings like in the picture on the right below Kim Kardashhian`s picture. Kim Kardashian has many endorsement deals with many brands because she is a great media influencer. It`s a pity this traditional print did not go viral. This dress could lead SA to being  victims like the Native Americans. If we are not careful, these international designers have resources in order to make a trend go viral. This makes me wonder whether if these celebrities and international designers come and view SA fashion week n other major SA runway events  for right reasons or not?  International designers take credit for some things that they did not create themselves. There is a fine line to being inspired and stealing.  Read more about the ndebele tradition from this site  http://www.southafrica.net/za/en/articles/entry/article-southafrica.net-colourful-ndebele-culture#.Uhibivn8Lcs

The advantages and disadvantages of this situation.

The advantages are that South African fashion will get noticed but this will be an open invitation to other international designers to steal South African patterns. In my honest opinion stealing patterns from a  country and posing them off as a your own is a truly sickening to my eyes. At the end of the day you are making money off other people`s hard work, and you call yourself a creator while the only thing you are doing is stealing and modernising the patterns. The mere fact that international designers have access to resources in making a trend go viral and SA designers dont is a disadvantage on our grounds. We need to stop this at once or we will be sitting ducks and let our fashion industry being abused by international designers. This is why our fashion industry needs to viral.

If international designers could do this with one pattern what makes you think they will stop at one? They might even take patterns from the Zulu tradition or any other. Please share your views on this topic and say if you agree or diasagree with what has been done. Lets get chatting ree-bots.

From mininmum to maximum.

Hello ree-bots,

Ever heard of Row-G? Hmmm but I bet you have heard about David Tlale. Today I`ll be looking at these two brands and their impact on the media and how SA fashion industry benefits from such exposure.

Row-G

Row-G is newly opened up manufacturing company that sells their own custom made men`s suits. It has been up and running for a couple of years now. Run by Rahim and Shaheed Rawjee. They custom make suits for men and recently want to expand their horizons to women`s custom clothing.   Nobody knew about this company until they were featured on the runway of SA fashion week this year. If you want to read more about Row-G please visit www.row-g.com
  

                                         David Tlale           

David Tlale is a well known brand is this country. This man has been making waves on different runways not just in the country but in world. He ventured into men`s and women`s fashion, he has lines at Dunn's and Legit and customs  make garments as well. His designs have graced the SA fashion week to New York fashion week. To read more about David Tlale please visit www.davidtlale.com

The difference between these two brands

The difference between these two brands is that one started in the female department and the other in the male department. Where Row-G could be as a brand in a decade time like David Tlale.

Public Relations strategy and benefits.

Both these brands appeal to an international standard. David Tlale keeps an active PR programme while Row-G keeps it on the wraps or they just does not use all of their major media platforms. The mere fact that only a selective few  knew about Row-G limits their clientele. One of the major benefits to the world knowing about SA fashion industry is the talent that comes from its people. SA designers being able to show cast their talents on a international platform. SA designers being able to compete with international designers. David Tlale`s brand is more out there in terms of keeping an active PR profile because he makes use of all major platforms and is always busy with projects. He is always in all major runways to me that proves dedication to your work. He  promotes his brand by creating lines for other retailers. His designs embody all the true meanings of being a South African. He advertises his garments by dressing celebrities. Row-G will take part in SA fashion week in October and yet not taking part in the Mercedes Benz fashion week in Cape town. Row-G wants to venture into the females department as well but before they do this they need to work on their publicity. Row-G needs a PR department in order for it to be as successful as David Tlale in the next ten years. I think they have the potential to even go viral but that they are not using their advantages accordingly.


Do you agree or disagree with my view that Row-G should try harder to make sure their brand is out there as opposed to David Tlale and that South African designers should try harder in order to compete on an international standard?  All comments are welcome...