Specialized workshops brought expert instructors from Edizioni AF and ARSUTORIA School directly to local manufacturers in KwaZulu-Natal and Cape Town.
The ILO is supporting SAFLEC in conducting design workshops in collaboration with the eThekwini Footwear and Leather Cluster (EFLC), Edizioni AF, and ARSUTORIA School. Hands-on training and personalized guidance on product quality, materials, and design innovations were included. At the end of the sessions, scholarship opportunities were offered by Arsutoria to 2 outstanding performers fostering future leaders in the industry.
The workshops were impactful on several fronts:
Skill Enhancement Participants gained crucial knowledge on Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration, global fashion trends, and innovative material usage that will directly lend to design and range building.
Market Competitiveness Enterprises are now better equipped to innovate designs and compete internationally. The knowledge gained is expected to lead to improved product offerings and greater market appeal that can lead to growth in the industry and employment.
Networking and Collaboration The workshop facilitated networking opportunities, fostering potential partnerships and collaborations among participants.
By leveraging the insights from the workshop, participants are well-positioned to capitalize on opportunities in the fashion industry, achieving their goals of global expansion and market competitiveness and thereby increasing employment opportunities.
Participants engaged in deep discussions about the growing importance of AI in fashion, gaining insights into its potential to drive innovation and predict trends. This understanding is expected to lead enterprises to adopt AI technologies more readily, enhancing their ability to anticipate market shifts and stay ahead of competitors.
Practical sessions on integrating AI into design processes, blending human creativity with AI-generated designs, provided participants with actionable skills. Enterprises can leverage these skills to streamline their design processes, reduce time-to-market, and produce unique offerings that stand out in the global marketplace.
Receiving this scholarship isn't just about winning; it's about opportunities it unlocks and the dreams it will fulfil, not only the recognition of past achievements and hard work but also a catalyst for the future," Dylan van Zyl, Shoe Design Manager, Bata SA
Scholarship winners Sophia Khan from Smiley’s Footwear and Dylan van Zyl from Bata SA, both based in Durban. The Scholarship includes a 5-week Design course on shoes and bags at the Arsutoria School in Milan, Italy.
Attending the SAFLEC Arsutoria workshop has been an informative & insightful experience. Immense gratitude to the ILO & Team SAFLEC as well as the Arsutoria lecturers for being instrumental in organizing & availing this enriching experience to us. My selection as one of the candidates for the prestigious scholarship came as a most welcome surprise!” Sophia Khan, Marketing Manager, Smiley’s Footwear
Two workshops took place, one-week at Coastlands, Durban, and a one-day bag workshop held at the Invest SA One Stop shop in Cape Town. Almost 50 participants (60% female) were trained from over 40 enterprises. All participants received internationally recognized certificates, and follow up virtual workshop by Arsutoria is planned later this year.
Our goal is to support companies/designers better understand the international market, to be able to focus their skills. With this support, I’m sure that we can achieve great results and see companies evolve and diversify their products after the training, to compete with international brands. I can say that many of the participants have real talent!” Stefano Migliavacca, Edizioni, Milan.
South Africa's footwear and leather industry faces a significant design deficiency, hampering its ability to compete effectively in the global marketplace. This gap stifles innovation and limits the industry’s capacity to meet the evolving demands of international consumers. SAFLEC’s training sessions were designed to bridge this divide by equipping manufacturers with latest insights into global fashion trends, empowering them to create competitive products, they aim to catalyse export growth and drive economic expansion.
Edizioni AF, in partnership with ARSUTORIA School, offers a transformative solution to address a critical gap within South Africa's footwear and leather industry, fostering business growth and driving economic prosperity. Founded in 1947, their expertise is in delivering specialized training services globally, particularly in leather products and footwear. They deliver an understanding of global trends, especially in handbags and footwear, guiding manufacturers toward international competitiveness.
The ILO’s Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work South Africa Project, launched in July 2022, aims to address productivity growth constraints, and promote decent work in South Africa. This project focuses on the leather, leather goods, and footwear sector, chosen for its alignment with the government’s priority master plans and transformation agenda.
