Latest STADIO School of Fashion collaborations stitches a stronger future for the fashion industry
In a bid to establish a financially sustainable future for both its students and the domestic fashion sphere, STADIO School of Fashion (SSOF) has revealed two exciting new collaborations that centre around the world of work and aspects of giving back to the local community through circular fashion.
As part of the collaboration, third year BA and B. Com fashion students at STADIO School of Fashion’s Hatfield and Randburg campuses will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work alongside talented creatives from high-street heavyweight H&M. In addition, second year students will glean the intricacies of running a proudly successful South African fashion business from local tailoring label Mr. Slimfit.
As part of both fantastic knowledge-sharing partnerships, students will enjoy hands on experience learning about every aspect of a fashion business, including marketing and visual merchandising, trend analysis, project management, consumer buying and even event photography.
“We are incredibly excited to be collaborating with both H&M and Theo Ngobeni from Mr. Slimfit. Both brands have a passionate enthusiasm for fashion, sustainability, and education, and we can’t wait to see how the partnerships unfold and help shape a better fashion future for all,” says Maryne Steenkamp, Head of STADIO School of Fashion.
Caroline Nelson, Country Manager at H&M South Africa comments: “As a global fashion brand, we understand the immeasurable value that partnerships like these bring to everyone involved. In fact, partnerships form the cornerstone of our industry, and we are constantly looking at ways to foster meaningful relationships with the curious and creative future talents in the fashion and arts industries. Fashion, and our relationship with it, is constantly evolving so this partnership not only allows us to share our skills and experiences, but it is also a great opportunity for us to listen, learn, adapt and improve our customer offering.”
STADIO School of Fashion (formerly Lisof) is one the most progressive of its kind on the continent and has over the years, garnered a notable reputation for facilitating growth in the South African fashion industry, especially post pandemic. The school has always been committed to inculcating a sense of ethical fashion norms among its students, to lessen the environmental impact created by the fashion industry, and prides itself on student centredness, local and international accreditation and its direct ties with the global fashion industry.
STADIO School of Fashion is currently the only South African Fashion school internationally accredited with the British Accreditation Council (BAC) and their hugely successful alumni are active practitioners in the world of fashion across all sectors that include design; media; buying and fashion business practices.
“I am very excited to be working with STADIO School of Fashion. Most people who know me will know that I didn’t enter the industry through the conventional route – I studied financial management at university – so I am really eager to work with these students, who I am sure are just as passionate as I am to grow our already amazing fashion industry. Only by working together can we unlock the true potential of this thriving sector and ensure its economic sustainability,” says Theo Ngobeni, founder of Mr.Slimfit.