Work and Money

Maybe not so far fetched, Kate Moss has certainly made a name for herself in the industry and, let’s not forget fashion designer John Galliano.

They [Kate and John] may not have been around to sing the praises of Croydon as a fashion capital, but students at Croydon College were given the opportunity to show off their wears and convince the delegation that they will also be making a name for themselves in the fashion industry in the future.

Teacher shows delegates some designs

The trip to the borough follows a similar visit to South Africa last year by a number of local businesses to explore investment and joint venture opportunities between the two areas.

Masana Chikeka is the Deputy Director of Culture in South Africa.  It’s this pedigree which is part of what’s influenced her and her team to make the journey to London.

“The design here [Croydon College] is cutting edge.  Some of the things I have seen are unbelievable – it’s up there with the best”, explains Masana

Promoting the interest in fashion in Croydon is a not-for-profit organisation – Fashion-Enter Ltd.  Its Director Jenny Holloway said:  “It was recently mentioned in the Sunday Times that we [Croydon] were the best kept secret in the South East and there’s a hot bed of talent in Croydon – you’d be amazed”.

Lesley Sternburg South African delegate

Lesley Sternburg is the Director of The Design School Southern Africa.  

“London has an amazing reputation with the London Fashion Week, with Croydon, with central St Martins, and for turning out the guys who are famous and the guys who are the next to be famous – it’s inspirational and we want to set up exchange with our students so that they can experience the international mix in London,” said Lesley

fashion festival

Well, if you are not convinced, the borough will be holding its first official Fashion Festival in June. 

The Fashion Festival is the first in a series of  BID (Business Improvement District) backed events aimed at changing the negative perception of Croydon.

If you want to find out more about the up coming Fashion Festival, log onto Croydon Business website.

And to hear more from the South African delegates and design students from Croydon College, click onto the link to my interview above or top right hand corner of this page.