The Luju Fashion Indaba is an industry conference on the business of fashion, drawing focus to the current state of fashion in Eswatini and the broader African continent, as we work towards cultivating a value chain that prioritizes sustainable production and consumption within the fashion industry. The thread running throughout the Fashion Indaba is “Nurturing Growth in Eswatini's Fashion Sector for MSMEs”. This is expressed in the following panel discussions, which will be followed by Q&A sessions:

Panel Discussion 1: Building a Sustainable Fashion Brand This panel discussion will focus on the journey from designing clothes to exporting products, featuring a range of local and international designers and local clothing manufacturers. The discussion will revolve around strategies for aspiring designers to establish a standout brand in 2025, overcoming challenges faced by small fashion brands, and how to grow your business sustainably.

Panel Discussion 2: Threads of Time – Design Innovation and Sustainable Production This session focuses on fashion circularity (in which products are used more, made to be made again, and made from safe and recycled or renewable inputs) and innovative materials, with textile designers and experts on sustainability and fabrics. This session will explore how we can support a sustainable fashion industry in Eswatini and how local brands can unpack innovations in textile design, fabric technologies and sustainable production, integrate local resources into fashion production, and together see how sustainability can support business growth for fashion brands. Thula Sindi’s appearance at the Fashion Indaba is supported by Mastercard.