Reshaping Development

Clothing, Textiles, Fashion & Eco Dev

Telephone: + 27 31 261 6096 Cell: 083 943 0235 Email: redresssa@webstorm.co.za

Web: www.redressconsultancy.com / www.redressconsultancy.blogspot.com
PO Box 52006 Berea Road, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 4007 South Africa
Director: Renato Palmi

Go to Economic Dev Services. Go to Apparel Services. Go to about the Director

ABOUT THE REDRESS CONSULTANCY

The ReDress Consultancy’s primary objective is to invigorate movement towards and improve conditions
for the development and sustainability of South Africa’s economic growth. We advance the transfer and
application of knowledge related to local and global economic development, industry and society.

Our unique selling points include our independence and our competencies in identifying best-practice
solutions in a collaborative manner for our clients’ needs.

Our activities are grounded in a commitment to ethics, accountability and confidentiality. Our clients
understand that we will not fudge our research, opinions and recommendations. They trust that our
research findings will provide them with methodically gathered and professionally reported information of
targeted benefit to their operations.

ORGANISATIONS: WHAT CAN WE DO FOR YOU?

• For companies, NGOs, other consultancies and research agencies, our background in development
economics, marketing communications, research methods, and capacity-building for skills
development equips us to offer the following programmes and products to our clients:

• We conduct practical research to identify solutions for various operational challenges. These surveys
range from partner and stakeholder satisfaction indices to organisational climate profiles, measuring
relationships among employers, employees, suppliers and customers. Our participatory action
research methods produce evidence-based findings and recommendations that can be constructively
implemented.

• Partnering with the King Commissions consultancy, we develop communications materials by

offering writing, editing and proofing services for media outputs, including (but not limited to)
company websites and various publications.

• With expertise in Amnesty International human rights education and advanced HIV and AIDS
communications and awareness experience, we offer specialised capacity-building training in these
areas, customised for our clients’ particular needs.

• We have certified capacity to manage the moderation and evaluation of skills development projects.

• ReDress offers cost-effective and innovative team-building programmes, designed to motivate and
coach staff at all levels towards shared goals and ownership of strategy. Using a participatory
approach with strong creative training that foregrounds the uniqueness of each person’s abilities
and value to the work.

All information supplied is copyright protected and

cannot be used without the consent of The Re-
Dress Consultancy© by the client or a third party.
© August 2010 1
 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: SPECIALIST SERVICES

We provide editing and review services to other economic development consultancies requiring a “fresh
pair of eyes” for finalisation of their research material and reports. Such review entails critical readings
of documentation for inconsistencies and gaps prior to publication. We also offer assistance in structuring
reports for final presentation and condensing fieldwork reports into written products that meet our
clients’ audience specifications.

The ReDress Consultancy is a member of the Local Economic Development Network-South Africa (LED). For
examples of our contributions to economic development projects, see the label on our blog
“LED Projects-SA.”

APPAREL INDUSTRY: SPECIALIST SERVICES

ReDress has a reputation within the apparel environment that constructively investigates and — when
necessary — challenges the complex terrain of policies underpinning trade and industry development and
the various role-players within the value-chain. Our voice is widely and regularly monitored by
government, industry and the media, which has generated critical and nuanced dialogue around
re-evaluating the progress of different sectors contributing to the apparel industry.

Renato Palmi, Director of ReDress, is an established researcher, author and development economist.
Focusing on what he calls FASHION-OMICS, he leads coverage of the various economic drivers that
influence the clothing, textile and fashion sector, such as: global trade, multi-national clothing
companies, government policies, industry representative organisations, educational and skills development
institutions, the media, independent designers and other key figures: from the trade-unionist, the sewing
machine operator, the retail merchandiser and buyer to marketers, brand developers and consumers.

Offering informative and critical commentary on related economic regeneration issues, Renato has
become known as "South Africa's apparel investigator” and a source of astute (and sometimes
controversial) observation and analysis of the elements that make up this important industry sector.
Several of his evidence-based recommendations have been noted and taken forward by industry
organisations and government bodies.

• The ReDress Stitching Links platform offers an affordable and innovative electronic marketing and
promotional space on our niche blog for the clothing, textile and fashion sector. This is an ideal spot
from which to disseminate the creative talent we have in Africa, and it serves as a conduit for
foreign companies seeking suppliers in Africa.

• We assist in the strategic planning and co-ordination of fashion events. We have managed events-
based projects in collaboration with various stakeholders to address social issues, and engage with
corporations to integrate fashion design and promotion as a productive element for their Corporate
Social Responsibility projects.

• We monitor and evaluate national and local fashion events to provide critical analysis and reliable
feedback for stakeholders, including funders, participant designers and the media. Our evaluations
present comprehensive profiles of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats relating to both
process and product, empowering stakeholders with knowledge to review their planning and
implementation mechanisms and improve on their deliverables. ReDress has motivated a shift in
focus, gearing these events towards seeking viable trade opportunities.

All information supplied is copyright protected and cannot

be used without the consent of The ReDress Consul-
tancy© by the client or a third party. © August 2010

2
• ReDress offers specialist lecturing and training on various aspects of business development within the
apparel sector, customised for various target audiences. Topics include brand development, marketing
and sales techniques, the South African apparel environment, fair trade and buy-local campaigns. We
also provide external examination services to fashion design colleges.

• Partnering with the King Commissions consultancy, we assist in the development of promotional
material for apparel-related business, including independent fashion designers by offering writing,
editing and proofing services for media outputs.

• For clothing /textile manufacturers, retailers, fashion houses and fashion projects we conduct practical
research to identify solutions for various operational challenges. These surveys range from partner and
stakeholder satisfaction indices to organisational climate profiles, measuring relationships among
employers, employees, suppliers and customers. Our participatory action research methods produce
evidence-based findings and recommendations that can be constructively implemented.

DIRECTOR’S PROFILE

Renato Palmi’s experience in corporate, civil society and academic environments combines technical and
analytical knowledge gained over 20 years.

Renato has a Master’s degree in Development Studies from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, qualifications in
marketing and production management, and a Diploma in Fashion Journalism from the United Kingdom. He
has specialist training in Public-Private Partnerships in Economic Development, Research Methodology, and
Monitoring and Evaluation.

He is registered and accredited with the South African Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA) in:

• Conducting Outcomes-based Assessments

• Moderation of Outcomes-based Assessments
• Facilitate Learning Using a Variety of Given Methodologies
• Designing and Developing Outcomes-based Assessments.

He is also registered with the South African Clothing Textile and Footwear SETA as an
assessor.

With a strong background in strategic development policy, research, advocacy, teaching

and training, marketing, conference management and facilitation, media planning and
liaison, printing, publishing and independent journalism, along with skills in information
resource acquisition, development and dissemination, Renato is well-equipped to bring
value to a range of business and training environments.

In advancing his project management expertise, he has innovated, implemented and

managed new business development, marketing initiatives and skills training projects,
forging linkages with and between industry agencies and interests. His passion lies in
conceptualising marketing strategies for small to medium and national businesses, and
cultivating client relationships.

Renato has curated various exhibitions, organised national conferences and media engagement for a Nobel
Peace Prize Laureate, managed an internationally recognised Non-Profit Organisation and conducted many
trainings on HIV/AIDS and human rights issues.

All information supplied is copyright protected and cannot

be used without the consent of The ReDress Consul-
tancy© by the client or a third party. © August 2010