The Lack Of Social Media Savvy In South African Designers!!!

David Tlale's Creations.

The Lack Of Social Media Savvy In South African Designers

I have posted a while ago on my Facebook profile [ www.facebook.com/jerrypurfz ] about the importance of social media savvying and how you could potentially turn your lame social updates into SALES. The article was fully constructed by a friend Kim Garst, a Social Media/Branding Strategist and Mentor to small business owners, from the US.

I am going to take this closer to home and put a spotlight on some of South Africa’s Top Designers whom I think could hike their sales and popularity through social media. David Tlale is an established South African Designer who is well known for his excellence in womens’ clothes, has recently ventured into menswear, charactarised by flamboyant colors with finer details such as embroidery, pleats and most recently mini-skirts for men. He’s a well-spoken man who could possibly sell a glass of water to a fish in the sea, although this is not reflected on either of his twitter or facebook accounts. His twitter records shows he has only 5tweets, last tweet dated 02/Feb/2012 with followers just over one and half thousand mark while he only follows only two users. For someone of his stature, his social media accounts should be nearing 

“ It's no secret that social media is the marketing wave of the future. Everyone from high schoolers right through to Fortune 500 executives uses social media to connect with friends, business partners, and - in some cases - potential clients”, Says Kim Garst.

Ephraim(Ephymol) and Jerry Purfz

Another South African with immense talent is a former model turned fashion designer, and a friend of mine Ephraim Modingoana, dubbed “ The Black Armani”. Unfortunately for Ephraim, he is not as vocally gifted as he is about creating clothes. Except for the fact that he stammers, he really is not a guy who can convience you of anything, not even when you desperate. Ephraim’s twitter account has only 20 followers while he follows just about 5o users. His last and only tweet is dated 05/August/2009. His facebook account only has about 750 listed friends/fans with scarce updates, especially about his core business. Quite shabby for someone who supply various chain stores abroad. Through my time of working with social media for businesses, I've noticed that a lot of people lack what I call "social media follow-through. social media is a big community, and word travels fast. If someone doesn't feel you treated them well during a negotiation process, they're likely to Tweet about it, or talk about it on Facebook, adds Kim.
The list is endless, Reginald Molamu of RJ Kay Creations, Thula Sindi and alike, I could go on for hours.
This really calls for emergency PR assistance, bigger corporate companies does this with no shame. It is imperative that this emerging local brands starts investing in their public outlook.

[By Jerry Purfz]

26/November/2011

KIM JONES – LOUIS VUITTON’S NEW STYLE DIRECTOR

Kim Jones is a British menswear designer, He presented his first catwalk collection in September 2003 at London fashion week and made his Paris debut in July 2004, where he showed for 5 consecutive seasons. Other presentations have varied from films with Alasdair McLellen and Toyin, to a book with American art photographer Luke Smalley. Alongside his own collection Jones has designed and worked for a variety of companies, including Uniqlo, Topman, Umbro producing Umbro by Kim Jones, Mulberry, Louis Vuitton, Alexander McQueen, Hugo Boss and Iceberg.

In 2008 Jones was hired as Creative Director of British men’s luxury goods brand Alfred Dunhill. His injection of modernity into the heritage brand was considered an exciting formula at Dunhill. 2011, Jones was named the new style director of Louis Vuitton’s men’s ready-to-wear division, replacing Paul Helbers who held the position for five years. The news came in the form of a tweet from Jones’s official Twitter account. In his new role at Vuitton, Jones will be working closely with Marc Jacobs, who currently serves as the artistic director for the luxury label. For Spring 2012, he showed suits with the pants rolled up, varsity jackets, zigzag knit sweaters, and even a tux paired with shorts. The color palette contained mostly neutrals such as khaki, navy, brown, grey, and cream. But there was also a red and royal blue Masai-inspired grouping of plaid and Damier check items from scarves to short sleeved shirts.

Jones' premiere collection really displayed his penchant for sportswear and especially outerwear. Highlights include an anorak, trench, safari jacket with multiple pockets, and a quilted coat in the signature monogrammed flower pattern.

Jones told Suzy Menkes in the International Herald Tribune that he was inspired by Vuitton's rich history in the travel world—think steamer trunks from the late 1800s—and his own childhood in Africa. "Growing up in Africa, living with little lizards, snakes and elephants or being chased by baboons—it never really goes away," says Jones. "The thread is travel. It’s the DNA of the brand—but it is not just for travel but for leisure as well."

He is currently said to be working with Kanye West on his eagerly anticipated fashion line Pastelle.

One of South Africa’s emerging fashion designer, Jerry Purfz says “I have been following Kim Jones work for sometime now, especially while he was at Dunhill, and I must say he really have out-done himself with the Louis Vuitton Range. Pure elegance”

25 November 2011

[ By Jerry Purfz]