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Book your tickets for Africa Textile Talks 2024

by | Jun 21, 2024

Are you ready to explore how fashion and textiles can help us live in harmony with nature and with each other? Are you interested in the future of a post-fossil fuel fashion and textile industry? Join Nkwo Onwuka, a seasoned sustainable African fashion expert and a leading fashion designer, and other industry leaders at Africa Textile Talks 2024 for a glimpse into what an African textile ecosystem that acts with care for people and the planet looks like.

Book your ticket

Following a sold-out event in 2023, Twyg and Imiloa Collective are joining forces for the fourth year running for another educational journey into the heart of sustainable textiles, slow fashion and design between 15 and 17 August 2024. The three-day programme will feature insightful talks, tours, presentations, exhibits and demonstrations across Cape Town.

Headlining this year’s talks conference at Workshop17 at the V&A Waterfront on Thursday 15 August 2024, is Nkwo, founder and Creative Director of the Nigerian artisanal clothing brand NKWO Official. Recognised as a pioneer of sustainable fashion on the continent, the Abuja-based designer has earned a few international accolades for her work towards textile waste reduction and the preservation of traditional craft skills. These include being named as a Fashion Impact Fund’s Conscious Fashion Campaign honoree, and the winner of the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards for Emerging Designer in 2022.

Nkwo will kick off the proceedings with her keynote presentation, followed by a packed schedule of exciting talks and panel discussions from industry experts from South Africa and the rest of the continent. Hand weaving textiles expert Johanna Bramble from Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire will be delivering a keynote too. Other speakers include hemp expert Ayanda Bam, Cape Wools SA’s CEO Deon Saayman, Mohair Empowerment Trust’s Beauty Mokgwamme, H&M’s country director Caroline Nelson, The Or Foundation’s Sammy Otteng from Ghana, The Rethink Lab’s Lindsay Humphries, Global Organic Textile Standard’s representative for Africa Muktar Dodo and general manager sustainability for SAPPI Krelyne Andrew. The day will be facilitated by Africa Melane, Cape Talk and 702 radio host. In addition to the line-up of speakers and panel discussions, Twyg is curating an expo of materials from across the continent. Listen and learn from experts and makers who practise and explore Earth-kind methods of growing, spinning, weaving, designing and making.

This year’s exciting talks programme – sponsored by CapeWools SA, H&M, V&A Waterfront, Mohair SA, Polo South Africa, Merchants on Long and SAPPI – will consider the future of a post-fossil fuel fashion and textile industry. Particular focus will be on ‘looking back to look forward’ with versatile ancient materials such as barkcloth (a non-woven cloth made from trees) and the role of kelp-based fibres and wool in the textile industry. Focus will further be placed on regenerative farming methods and sustainable farming practices, particularly wool farming.

Following the Thursday gathering, Twyg’s founder Jackie May will host an immersive tour of textile factory Svenmill and other textile studios on Friday 16 August. On Saturday 17 August, the Slow Fashion Festival will be hosted in collaboration with V&A Watershed and 44 Stanley – a day of learning, mending and swapping pre-loved clothes alongside other sustainable fashion enthusiasts. The tour will be ticketed separately to the talks programme, with the Slow Fashion Festival free to attend.

Africa Textile Talks 2024 is more than just an event: it’s a movement towards future-fitting our communities and industries. Join in the movement and be inspired by the dedication and innovation of those leading the way in sustainable fashion and textiles.

 

​​Essential information for African Textile Talks 2024

  • 15 August 2024: Africa Textile Talks at Workshop17 Watershed, V&A Watershed
  • 16 August 2024: Tour of textile factory and studios
  • 17 August 2024: Slow Fashion Festival with V&A Watershed and 44 Stanley, V&A Watershed, 10am – 6pm (Swap&Mend ends at 4pm)

Tickets

  • Africa Textile Talks: R400
  • Tour of textile factory and studios: R250
  • Slow Fashion Festival: Free
  • To buy tickets and to book your space here
  • For more information, visit www.twyg.co.za. For updates follow @twygmag on Instagram and Facebook

Media Enquiries

  • This press release is issued by Scout PR & Social Media. For press enquiries email: maileshi@scoutpr.co.za
  • Images by The Dollie House
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