ALINAH MISSOURI

FASHION INDUSTRY AWARDS SOUTH AFRICA – FOUNDER

Alinah Seloane Missouri is best known as the go-to person of the local fashion scene, as the Director of her own Fashion Consulting Agency, ASM Fashion Consultancy. Alinah comes from a family with rich history of dressmakers and tailors, it is hardly surprising Alinah’s career has been shaped by her love of fine design. From an early age, her parents encouraged her entrepreneurial spirit, as a teenager she consistently demonstrated a tendency to do things her own way and in her early career Alinah always sought to provide shared opportunities – a management style that would result in the establishment of her own company in early 2011 – the ASM Fashion Consulting Agency (ASM), a fashion agency committed to fostering the growth of emerging fashion entrepreneurs in South Africa. Long before the establishment of her own business, Alinah started out in the booking office of then the Sanlam SA Fashion Week in Johannesburg. Working closely with Lucilla Booyzen, she rose up the fashion ranks quickly, taking over designer management of the shows with a fearlessness that set her apart from her colleagues.

Her innate belief in the value of local talent in the industry ultimately resulted in the direction she would take with her own agency.

By breaking in newer designers and celebrating their styles, Alinah has become a tour de force in the local fashion industry and a valued and experienced broker between designers and industry stakeholders. Most recently, she has facilitated export opportunities for local designer products in Botswana, Mozambique and Ethiopia where her love of experiential brand activations using Pop Up stores provided access to new markets for emerging designers and forged new business relationships enabling future growth.As the co-founder of the Fashion Industry Fashion Awards South Africa, she advocates for supporting local designers. She passionately believes the Fashion Industry can be used as a positive force for change and a platform to celebrate the past, present and future and adding value chain in the fashion industry.

Email: alinah@fashionforum.co.za

Contact: 082 926 6033

ANNA-MARI CLAASEN

FASHION INDUSTRY AWARDS SOUTH AFRICA CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Designer Anna-Mari Claasen is the driving force behind the feminine, ready to wear label Kottin & Twille and also the co-owner of the South African swimwear brand; Khukhutsi.
Anna-Mari has established herself as a leader in Product Development and Production management, and is seen as a ‘connector’ in the Fashion industry. She has been actively involved in the SA Fashion industry for 20 years.

With a special affection for education and working with crafters and the social upliftment of communities, she has initiated and participated in various mentorship programs around the country and enjoys sharing knowledge with young designers and crafters and has been actively involved in consulting on many brands and mentoring young talents to successful ends.

Anna-Maris’ pure passion for creating and nurturing a culture of great, responsible and ethical design is a constant motivator and driving force behind her continued success in the SA fashion industry.

Email: anna-mari@fashionforum.co.za

Contact: 079 557 5226