S&V Footwear & Leather Goods Magazine Vol90 No4 April 2024
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IN THIS ISSUE:
03 Upfront
- The R-CTFL Masterplan, 5 years on – Part III: It’s not enough to say ‘please buymore from us’, says NCRF.
05 Exports & Trade
- APLF Leather, Materials+, Fashion Access: It was good to be back, exhibitors said.
- Fathima Khan Luxury: Good leads.
- NTE Company: Boost for agents.
- Thurling Investments: In many ways, back to the old glory days.
- Zambezi Grace: Good market for our leather and our bags.
- SAFLEC: As world output exceeds demand, SA is still an attractive source of footwear.
13 Travel Goods
- Growth for top end as business travel returns to normal levels.
16 Profile
- Alfonso Smerilli of Make My Shoes Store Lab and Smerilli Design Manufacturing: Direct to consumer AND supplying mini-chains with European quality footwear.
14 Headlines with Tinashe Mandirahwe
- Shoe brand The Weekend Boot opens doors to its secrets.
20 Influencers
- Beyoncé Bounce: Western boot sales jump more than 20% week over week since ‘Cowboy Carter’ launch.
- UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ‘ruins’ classically cool sneaker, while Barack Obama looked ‘tasteful, playful and on-point’.
23 Trade Statistics
- South Africa: January imports and exports of footwear and accessories, provided by SARS.
Advertisers in this Issue
All China Leather Exhibition (OFC), Arena Trim (04), Freestyle Genuine Handcrafted Leather (02), Haesloop Agencies (09), Kaytex Belts (12), Leather Finishing Products (15), Leggenda Sport/Diadora (03, 19), Saddler Belts (07), SAFLEC (10), S&V Calendar (01), S&V Directory (14), Seadoone Shoes (06), Shotland Packing (17).
The Next Issue:
- Out on 15 May 2024.
- APLF Leather, Materials+, Fashion Access: Fathima Khan Luxury: Good leads : Exotic leather handbags
Was this your first overseas exhibition? No, I have done 5 other exhibitions, but this was my first time in Hong Kong.Did you do any confirmed business? – No.Did you come away with realistic leads? – Yes, I did.Are your current products appropriate for export? – Yes, they are.Because of your participation at APLF, are th ...moreAPLF Leather, Materials+, Fashion Access: Infix Creations : Handmade handbags
East London, E. Cape, SA – Infix Creations won the best traditional handbag award and was chosen to feature in the trend area, positioning South Africa as a trend leader. This was a very big achievement with world buyers present. ...moreAPLF Leather, Materials+, Fashion Access: Thurling Investments: In many ways, back to the old glory days : Exotic leathers
Cape Town, W. Cape, SA – We found the fair to be excellent and, in many ways, back to the old glory days where everybody that we do business with around the globe attended. We had current and past customers visit us from North America, South America, Europe, Australia and of course the East (which included Japan, Korea, etc).T ...moreSAFLEC: As world output exceeds demand, SA is still an attractive source of foowear
SAFLEC executive director Nerisha Jairaj took part in session 1 of the Global Footwear Executive Summit, which covered footwear production and its supply chain.The theme of the session was to discuss the current scenario where the demand for footwear is significantly lower than the available supply, and finding a balance for the supply ch ...moreGrowth for top end as business travel returns to normal levels
George, W. Cape, SA – The luxury end of the travel goods market “is doing better than more affordable alternatives”, FrontierCo group merchandise executive Kennith Barlow said this month.“I know that sounds odd in the present economic climate, and we’re not oblivious to the fact that the target market is a ve ...moreAlfonso Smerilli of Make My Shoes Store Lab and Smerilli Design Manufacturing - Direct-to-consumer AND supplying mini-chains with European quality footwear
Alfonso Smerilli has had a long and varied career in the South African footwear industry and now, just shy of his 52nd birthday, and in a sector which is mostly struggling, he’s embarked on his most challenging role yet – as a factory owner, blazing a different trail.His start in the footwear industry was with a factory owned ...moreShoe brand opens doors to its secrets
Concerns About the Eco-Friendly Footwear Market and Thesus's Unconventional Approach. The Weekend Boot™, retailing at about $200, has sold over $3M worth in 3 years. Made with 96% renewable materials, its maker, Thesus, now reveals the manufacturing process and intellectual property behind the boot to the world. ...moreBeyoncé bounce: Western boot sales jump more than 20 percent week over week since ‘Cowboy Carter’ launch
Quoting Circana, which produces reports on U.S. consumer behaviour, news channel CNBC reported on 12 April that Western-style boot sales climbed more than 20% the week after Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” was released late last month.It said that “though cowboy boots may typify the Western look, other pieces, inc ...moreLook of the Week: The UK Prime Minister just ‘ruined’ this classically cool sneaker
In a graphic demonstration of how one person can be ‘cool’ while another, in very similar circumstances, is ‘uncool’, a report 09 April on CNN contrasted UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with former U.S. President Barack Obama – on their shoes. ...moreThe R-CTFL Masterplan: It’s not enough to say ‘please buy more from us’, says NCRFCape Town, W. Cape, SA – The group monitoring the progress of the R-CTFL Masterplan – the PMO Core – “does not have a mandate to engage with the media”, according to Michael Lawrence, who represents the National Clothing Retail Federation of SA (NCRF) on the PMO Core.He was responding last week to the report ...moreAPLF Leather, Materials+, Fashion Access: It was good to be back, exhibitors said21 businesses from Africa exhibited in Hong Kong in March. Of those, 4 were from Ethiopia and 3 were from Egypt.The SA exhibitors were divided between finished goods exhibitors on a sponsored national pavilion in the Fashion Access hall, overseen by the SA Footwear & Leather Export Council (SAFLEC), and 3 leather chemicals and leather ...moreAPLF Leather, Materials+, Fashion Access: NTE Company: Boost for agents : Tanning chemicalsPietermaritzburg, KZN, SA – We had a very successful APLF and were busy on all 3 days. We use these fairs to fly the NTE flag but also to meet many of our agents from the region as travel in and out of Hong Kong is very convenient for them. Some don’t attend ACLE in Shanghai as they see it as a Chinese fair and travelling ther ...moreAPLF Leather, Materials+, Fashion Access: Zambezi Grace: Good market for our leather and our bags : Exotic leathers, exotic leather handbagsUmdloti, KZN, SA – How did you do at APLF? We exhibited as a tannery and as a luxury exotic brand in finished goods. Sales on our finished goods was surprisingly good and we have confirmed orders from Japan, Korea and China for belts, wallets and luggage. We met existing customers for exotic leathers and met new cu ...moreDiadora: An introduction to athleisureAthleisure, transcending traditional fashion norms, resonates with a diverse audience across the globe, symbolising a shift towards versatile attire that effortlessly blends fashion and utility. This cultural influence is mirrored in the broader trend towards relaxed dressing, as seen in the ascent of athleisure. Championing comfort and a ...moreFootwear Industry Articles
- Obituary: Zelton Wiskin – footwear agent (24/03/1958-24/01/2025) : A ‘well lubricated’ memoryZelton Wiskin, my friend.I'm sure you won't mind me sharing a fond memory of you with the shoe industry.In the good old days as shoe agents, we became good friends. You were taught by one of the best in the business (Aubrey). In those days we knew how to have fun and entertain our customers who became our friends.My best memory was when w ...more40 000 retail doors could close by 2029, but footwear stores could hold their ownAgainst a backdrop of store closings, shoe retailers UBS analyst Michael Lasser favours include On Holding, Deckers, Dick's and Academy Sports. ...moreFollowing Trump’s tariff hikes, can mass shoe production actually be moved to the US? The answer is – it’s not that simple.President Trump’s escalation on Wednesday with the announcement of sweeping reciprocal tariffs have sparked a lot of questions and concerns among the footwear industry.One of these questions that are top of mind for many is: how realistic is it to bring shoe manufacturing back to the States? The answer is – it’ ...more
Leather Industry Articles
- The use of copper nanoparticles to prevent bacterial and fungal growth on leather
IntroductionBiocides and fungicides are used at different stages of the leather-making process. However, bacteria and fungi are still able to grow on finished leather, and especially vegetable tanned leather. The reason for this is that sweat from footwear can act as a carbon source for microbial growth, or that the concentration of fungi ...moreRolfes management get to know new colleagues
Speciality chemicals distributor the Solevo Group, which acquired various Rolfes businesses in SA last year to add to its African portfolio, had a teambuilding and strategic session for senior management in Côte d'Ivoire recently. Pictured are the 4 South Africans (from left): Quintin Marais, MD of Rolfes Leather, Justin Ghersie, co ...moreGet the message across on World Leather Day, urges Leather Working Group
On Saturday 26th April 2025, the global leather industry will come together in recognition of the fourth edition of World Leather Day—a global movement dedicated to celebrating leather as a material and promoting a deeper understanding of the leather industry. This social media kit can be used by Leather Naturally members and i ...more
PPE Industry Articles
- A partnership for inclusion: Circular Energy and Bradshaw LeRoux join forces for disability inclusionCircular Energy is partnering with Bradshaw LeRoux, a disability inclusion specialists organisation, to forge a disability-positive workplace. ...moreA guide for SA employers in understanding the COIDA Act and Reintegration Policy
Cape Town, W. Cape, SA (24 February 2025) – South African employers are grappling with significant new responsibilities introduced by the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) and the draft Rehabilitation, Reintegration, and Return to Work Regulations. Published on 15 June 2023, these regulations are poised ...moreSouth Africa’s first safety escape room for hands-on health and safety training
South Africa's first safety escape room was set up at Phalaborwa Mining Company (PMC) in November last year by health and safety solutions provider KBC.“We required a fresh approach to training,” said Mabore Macheru, Manager in Training Development and Contractor Management at PMC. “This offers an interactive and practic ...more
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