Headline sponsor Mercedes-Benz has pulled out of Cape Town fashion week, ending a six-year relationship with the African Fashion International extravaganza. As a result, the premier event that starts on Wednesday will change its name from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week to Cape Town Fashion Week. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, executive chairman of AFI, said fashion week had provided a return on investment of more than 1:13 during the two three-year contracts with the German car maker. Motsepe said Mercedes' association with the fashion event had helped to shift perceptions of the vehicle brand. "This year, the shareholders of AFI have provided gap funding to allow the company to grow," she added. Selvin Govender, director of local marketing for Mercedes-Benz, declined to discuss the company's reasons for dropping the sponsorship or how much it had spent on the event. Historically, fashion weeks have served as a platform for young and upcoming local designers to showcase their talents. But the ...
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