August 2022 – Last year, G-Star RAW successfully launched a pilot of their Certified Tailors program across the Netherlands. The tailors provide free G-Star jeans repairs to their customers, subsidized by the brand. Now, G-Star officially launches Certified Tailors in three cities in South Africa – Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg.
Introducing
From an exceptional response across the continent and over 300 submissions for the Certified Tailors program, meet Dennis Collins, Samkelo Boyde Xaba and Sabelo Shabalala. The selected tailors will embark on a new journey as they make their way to the Global HQ in Amsterdam in August 2022, where they will take part in G-Star denim training. Here, they will be taught all about the fabric, turning them into G-Star denim experts and giving them a real insight into the product, ready to provide free jeans repairs to customers.
Meet Mzansi’s very own Certified Tailors:
Dennis Collins is an emerging clothing designer based in Cape Town. As a self-taught tailor, pattern-maker and designer, Collins seeks to invent products that are well-crafted and of the highest quality – a great match for the esteemed G-Star RAW Certified Tailors Program.
“I have been trying to push myself into a direction of excellence, and once I received the call from G-Star RAW, it just solidified that I’m on the right path. This whole experience adds to my vision, and is truly gratifying.”
Samkelo Boyde Xaba is a Johannesburg-based multi-disciplinary creative and founder of an ethical contemporary clothing brand that prioritizes sustainability, durability and functionality. Walking the line with his own RAW Responsibility, Samkelo uses natural, locally-sourced fabrics that are also sustainable, supporting our repair and renew initiative.
“I am honoured to be chosen amongst over 400 talented creatives in South Africa. Denim is a staple piece that’s durable, timeless and sustainable in every wardrobe, and now I have the opportunity to learn from the masters of raw denim!”
Sabelo Shabalala is a fashion and textile graduate based in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal with experience in design, garment construction and alteration. He’s been in the fashion business for a little over 5 years and achieved industry success throughout. Sabelo’s passion for textiles is well aligned with that of a Certified Tailor.
“I love working with denim because unlike most fabrics you can give denim a second life almost. To be one of the selected tailors is very exciting and I can’t wait to begin working with the G-Star family and its high quality denim products.”
A RAW Responsibility
Furthering the brand’s journey towards circularity, the Certified Tailors program aims to extend the lifetime of your jeans by offering free jeans repairs at selected tailors in South Africa, The Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. By introducing this initiative in South Africa, G-Star hopes to empower local entrepreneurs whilst expanding the lifecycle of denim to help reduce the ever-growing fashion footprint. The Certified Tailors program is one of many responsible initiatives the brand has in place for 2022. For more information and to find a Certified Tailor near you, visit: https://www.g-star.com/en_za/certified-tailors/.
The Certified Tailors program launches in South Africa on 11th August 2022.
8 RAW Responsibility Initiatives To Know About
On G-Star RAW’s journey towards circularity there are lots of exciting initiatives:
- Certified Tailors: After a successful pilot phase in the Netherlands, G-Star is scaling up the Certified Tailors program. Now, offering free repairs to extend the life of your jeans at more tailors in The Netherlands, as well as in Germany, Belgium and South Africa. Global expansion is planned for 2022 and 2023. Read more.
- Wear Longer, Wear Shorts: A new free-of-charge initiative as part of the Certified Tailors program that transforms old jeans into a brand-new pair of shorts to extend their life.
- Return Your Denim: Is your garment beyond repair? Hand it in at G-Star stores in Europe and they’ll make sure it is properly recycled.
- The Art of RAW: A new art platform where international design talents – from interior designers to glass artists – are challenged to work with denim waste and dead stock. Old denim is transformed into one-of-a-kind art pieces, creating awareness for circularity. Read more.
