In August 1997 - launch of the inaugural South African Fashion Week showcasing the collections of thirteen designers over five days to all round acclaim in a 500-seater marquee on Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, the country’s dynamic commercial heart.

The Italian fashion industry is a prime example of how a well-coordinated and government-supported fashion industry can blossom into a major economic force. Generating €66.6bn in 2019, it is among the top industries in Italy.