Top Internationals for International Mohair Summit

24 Aug 2009

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The world’s leading natural fibre roleplayers and Li Edelkoort, one of the world's most renowned trend forecasters, head up the list of VIPs participating in the International Mohair Summit in South Africa in November.

The Summit, a unique trade platform for the world’s Mohair and natural fibre industry, will be hosted in Graaff Reinet from November 5-9 in celebration of 2009 as the United Nations declared Year of The Natural Fibre.

In 2003, TIME Magazine named Edelkoort, who is based in the Netherlands, as one of the world’s 25 Most Influential People in Fashion.

Edelkoort will be in good company. Organisers confirm that the guest list of accepted international visitors is just short of 100 and includes two of the globe’s largest processors – Paul Zegna and Mr Kiyoshi Okumura the CEO of Miyuki Keori (Japan).

Okumura will personally present the prestigious Miyuki Trophy at the Summit to the producers of the best prepared Mohair clip.

SA Marketing Director Jackie Gant said the presence of Edelkoort was a “major coup” for the South African industry.

“Edelkoort has a cult following throughout the fashion and design world, she produces several publications, and as the trend forecaster is highly influential so her presence in South Africa is expected to cast a spotlight onto the local industry,” Gant said.

Edelkoort’s group of companies has developed packaging and product concepts for leading brands including Estee Lauder, Procter & Gamble, Gucci, Nissan and Coca Cola.

She will present her Trend forecast, including Mohair, to delegates at the Summit, Gant said.

Mohair Summit Director Andrew Binning said the Summit, which includes a Trade Show, Conference, demonstrations, Site Tours and Business Match-making “would not only grow the natural fibre industry in South Africa but strengthen the rural economies of the Karoo, in particular,” he said.

The International Mohair Summit is an initiative of The Eastern Cape Province to develop rural economies and equip small businesses to capitalise on opportunities. It is endorsed and supported by Mohair SA and Cape Wools SA, Binning said.

The area around the Ikwezi Municipality including Jansenville and Graaff Reinet produces 50% of world demand for Mohair and a significant portion of world wool.

Summit Director Andrew Binning said everybody in the trade would be required to register to participate either as a visitor, conference delegate or exhibitor to the Trade Show.

Comprehensive information is available at www.mohairsummit.co.za

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