A new “Fashion Bridges – I Ponti della Moda” initiative aims to foster co-operation between the Italian and South African fashion industries.

It will see three young designers from South Africa (Jacques Bam, Fikile Zamagcino sokhulu and Sipho Mbuto) paired with three young Italian designers from Polimoda (Julian Cerro, llaria Bellomo and Domenico Orefice).

Each pair, after completing a virtual training programme developed by Polimoda and the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, will create a joint capsule collection that will then be presented during Milan Fashion Week in September and in Johannesburg during South African Fashion Week in October.

“Strength lies in the diversity of cultures,” South African Fashion Week (SAFW) founder and director, Lucilla Booyzen, said of the initiative. “Sharing ideas, knowledge, marketing and resources within this diversity, [makes] collaboration an essential tool for the future of fashion in the world.”

“Fashion Bridges” has been introduced by a diverse partnership of industry, trade and cultural bodies, including the Embassy of Italy in Pretoria, Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, Polimoda, Centro di Firenze per la Moda Italiana, Lineapelle, SAFW and the Italian Trade Agency (ICE), with the support of Nelson Mandela Forum Firenze.

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