‘Apparel Sourcing: What Next?’ Makings of a regional hub
Tuesday, 8 October 2013 00:18
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The South Asian Apparel Leadership Forum that is creating massive interest among the apparel industry professionals in South Asia and abroad is scheduled to lead the groundbreaking discussion on the future of apparel sourcing from Sri Lanka.
Several extremely influential and powerful apparel heavyweights, retailers and opinion leaders from across the world will lead this discussion from Sri Lanka, further establishing SLDF’s mission for South Asia’s creative hub in the country.
Among the key discussions held will be the Consumer Trend Analysis and visual insights on ‘Satisfying the Global Consumer’ by world’s foremost forecasting company future laboratory whose analyses are valued by the leading businesses across the world.
GT Nexus Founder, VC & Chief Strategy Officer Kurt Cavano who is also the co-chairperson of the South Asian Apparel Leadership Forum, will challenge the audience with a discussion on the current state of world retail and will go on to share his insights on the keys to perform in traditional and emerging markets which will be invaluable insights coming from one of the top ranked business minds of the world.
Paul Forman the global CEO of the world’s largest thread maker Coats will also be a distinguished speaker visiting Sri Lanka on the invitation of Coats Thread Lanka MD Giles Watkins. Forman, an eminent global apparel supply chain leader, will speak on the shifts in Sourcing Strategies in the Apparel industry from his perspective.
TC2 International CEO Mike Fralix is also another global personality at the forum and will be speaking on his experience and observations on trends and technologies in supply chains, product development, manufacturing and retailing.
The keynote address of the forum will be delivered by Deputy Minister Investments Faizer Mustapha, under the topic ‘Sri Lanka: Makings of a regional hub’. This will be followed by an interesting panel discussion between pioneering figures in Sri Lankan apparel Tuli Cooray of JAAF, Anil Hirdaramani of the Hirdaramani Group, Udena Wickremasuriya of Brandix Lanka, Alok Malhotra of PVH and Tania Polonnowita of Hellmann Fashion Logistics on the topic ‘The Opportunities for Regional Growth’.
Janie Schaffer visiting Sri Lanka on the invitation of SLDF’s principal sponsor MAS, is known as the ‘Knicker queen’ in international media for her expertise in lingerie design and manufacture.
Schaffer known to have revived Victoria’s Secret to its current status will be sharing her learnt in lessons in entrepreneurship and design at the forum.
MAS chairman, the renowned apparel industry icon, Deshamanya Mahesh Amalean will lead a conversation on the past successes and future outlook from his perspective.
Another interesting panel discussion will involve Nathan Sivagananathan from MAS, Andrea Crespi from EuroJersey, Mike Fralix from TC2, Janie Schaffer, Ashraf Sattar from Timex and Gihan Nanayakkara of Orient on the topic technology, innovation and design in apparel supply chains.
The forum will be co-chaired by Favourite Group Managing Director Kumar Mirchandani and GT Nexus Founder, VC and Chief Strategy Officer Kurt Cavano.
With Sri Lanka earning its position as the fashion and apparel hub of the South Asian region and standing strong in its commitment to sustainability, value and invention, South Asian Apparel Leadership Forum (SAALF) will play the pivotal role in deciding the future of this industry.
The South Asian Apparel Apparel Leadership Forum (SAALF) aims to synthesise the global discourse with the intent of proposing solutions to the most demanding issues faced by the industry. This makes it a unique gathering where obstacles and doubts are discussed alongside strategies, plans and answers by supply chain partners, retailers, brand owners and the services sector engaging on equal terms to find solutions for a common purpose.
SLDF 2013’s principal partner is MAS holdings. SLDF was founded by AOD International Design Campus. The Sri Lanka Government, the Export Development Board and Sri Lanka Apparel are SLDF 2013 key stakeholders. SLDF 2013 is also supported by Coats Thread- Official Thread Partner, GT Nexus Official Software Partner, Textured Jersey – Contributing Partner, Standard Chartered Bank – Sustainable Fashion Summit Partner, British Council – Knowledge Partner, Mount Lavinia Hotel – Official Host, Cheryl Gooneratne Official Hair and Makeup, International Media Partner –WGSN, JustStyle, Drapers as well as the partners Goethe Institut, Vista Advertising and Sunshine Travels and tours.
