Invest in Cape Town – Localising Style and Sustainability

Invest in Cape Town where fashion meets sustainability and innovation. Cape Town-based clothing retailers are redefining the industry by embracing local production and responsible sourcing – pushing back against the global rise of ultra-fast fashion.

Cape Town Leads the Shift to Sustainable Fashion

Over the past decade, ultra-fast fashion has disrupted the global market, with some international retailers producing up to 10,000 new designs daily. But the environmental cost is staggering: the fashion industry contributes 10% of global carbon emissions and consumes massive amounts of water. Dumped clothing has even created landfills so large they are visible from space.

In response, South African retailers and manufacturers are taking action – and many of the biggest players are based right here in Cape Town. The Foschini Group (TFG), which owns brands like Markhams, Fabiani, Totalsports, and Foschini, now sources nearly 80% of its apparel from South Africa and neighbouring SADC countries. The group also uses 8,613 tonnes of Better Cotton Initiative-certified cotton, reducing water and pesticide use while supporting ethical farming.

Local Production Strengthens the Economy

According to the Cape Clothing and Textile Cluster (CCTC), localisation and sustainability go hand in hand. Onshoring production reduces global freight emissions and allows retailers to respond faster to consumer trends, cutting waste and improving efficiency. As the Cluster explains, “By producing the right product at the right quality and time, more items are sold, and less excess inventory ends up in landfill.”

For shoppers, there’s more good news – local doesn’t mean costly. A locally-made 100% cotton T-shirt from TFG sells for about R159 (2024 figures), while at Pick n Pay Clothing, a homegrown cotton T-shirt costs around R65. In 2024, 45% of Pick n Pay Clothing’s goods were locally sourced, with 97% of its suppliers registered on the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange. Mr Price has also increased local procurement by more than 50% in the past five years.

Cape Town’s Factories Are Powering the Industry

Thanks to this local focus, 389 million garments were produced in South Africa in 2024 – with 105 million units coming from Cape Town-based factories alone. The CCTC’s data-driven initiatives are improving competitiveness and helping manufacturers integrate deeper into major retail supply chains.

“Competitiveness and sustainability are closely intertwined,” the Cluster notes. “Reducing waste, energy, and water usage not only benefits the environment but also improves a manufacturer’s bottom line.”

A Shared Vision for a Circular Future

The City of Cape Town supports the Cluster’s efforts through its partnership with local industry. “We have consistently backed the Cluster in their mission to localise sustainable production,” said Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth. “In 2024, the sector added R5.6 billion to Cape Town’s economy.”

Vos highlighted how the industry supports waste reduction goals: “In Cape Town, over 70,300 tonnes of textile waste filled landfills in 2022. By 2035, our goal is to divert 70% of waste from landfills.” Research by GreenCape shows that the circular economy could add up to R5 billion in annual value for Cape Town, with the clothing and textile sector at its heart.

Sustainability Meets Style in Cape Town

The CCTC continues to promote innovation and sustainability through its new Compete programme, which uses data insights to reduce waste and enhance outcomes. By combining ethical production, creative design, and strong collaboration, Cape Town’s clothing industry proves that sustainability and style will always walk the runway together.

Learn more about how to invest in Cape Town and its growing creative economy.

This article has been adapted from the original piece published in This is Cape Town Magazine, Volume 5, specifically for the blog. To view the original article, click here or read the full magazine online at www.thisis.capetown/resources.