Affectionately known as "Cordi," this vibrant pioneer is progressively establishing herself in the fashion realm. Here, she shares her insights on embracing creativity, innovation, and sophistication within the fashion landscape.
“Existing designers may have all the necessary skills as far as fashion designing is concerned. The dos- the don’ts of the industry, but they might have depleted their ideas over time,” says Cordi. Affirming that new designers may have fresh new ideas that the industry needs, “but lack all the necessary skills to bring those “fresh new ideas” to fruition. So together they complement each other. So one without the other will struggle, but they can grow stronger together.”
Glamour: How do you envision the networking opportunities at the fashion show contributing to the growth and development of participants’ careers?
Cordi: Over the years in the industry, I found that fashion is a common denominator that brings all industries together making it the second biggest industry, food industry being the first in the world. Therefore it offers great growth and development. I envision the fashion show going globally, affording our participants to put South Africa on the world map through fashion , affording them an equal opportunity and creating lots of transaction exchanges in many different ways, i.e. collabs, distribution to boutiques, or direct transactions.
Glamour: Could you explain how the fashion show promotes economic growth within the industry?
Cordi: Whether a person is delivering a speech, doing a presentation, walking on the runway or attending a networking event, they all want to dress for the occasion accordingly and look their best while at it. So whether people are aware or not, everyone can relate to fashion, increasing its potential to contribute to the economic growth, not only of the industry but of the country as a whole as we host many empowerment opportunities within the industry. Those empowerment opportunities enable one to think big and get rid of the narrow way of thinking concerning the industry.
Glamour: What criteria do you use to select designers, models, photographers/videographers, and make-up artists to participate in the fashion show?
Cordi: I have a clothing line myself called “Cordi Collection” which focuses on bridging the gap between European and African wear, I guess this overflowed to how I select my designer and make up artists. I look to see how the two can be blended together in an elegant way.
Glamour: How do you ensure that the fashion show provides a platform for diverse talents and brands within the fashion industry?
Cordi: South Africa has lots of talent, my duty is to make sure that that talent does not go to waste. Our platform is not only for fashion designers, make-up artists, photographers and videographers, but it extends to other professions as well like artists, media, marketing and corporate sectors as well... Mingle, close deals, building new working relationships- simply put, creating a good and safe environment to grow one's brand.
Glamour: How do you plan to integrate charitable giving into the fashion show’s structure, and which causes does the charity support?
Cordi: Every year for a period of a year, we’d get involved with a charity that supports children, GBV or underprivileged communities. Not only that, but this year we’re started an NPO called “Cordi foundation” which is solely focusing on taking South Africa a step closer to being a first world country, the country's growth and development. We believe that South Africa has what it takes to be a first world country- will however need to work together as South Africans from different industries to see this to pass.
Glamour: What are the long-term goals for the Walk in Elegance fashion show?
Cordi: In the next year to five we’ll be focusing on having designers from all over the world and forming global collaborative partnerships alike. In the next six to ten years our “taking South Africa a step closer to being a first world country” seed should start bearing fruit.
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