Africa's luxury fashion market is still tiny, compared to the rest of the world. Nonetheless, the addressable market is growing. The international fashion fraternity recently turned its focus to the continent with the first Conde Nast Luxury Conference held in South Africa. CGTN's Julie Scheier was there.

JULIE SCHEIER CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA "Cape Town is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world with its mesmerising ocean views and exotic landscape. It provided a perfect fit for the continent's first luxury conference, which brought fashion gurus of the world to African shores."

SUZY MENKES EDITOR, VOGUE INTERNATIONAL "Luxury in Africa and around the world is completely changing. It's not what it was. It's not just for a few people. It's more something that you can buy, even if it's a small object and then later on you gravitate to something else. But it's not necessarily that luxury at the cost of it. I consider the greatest luxury of all is something that's made and touched by human hands."

The luxury sector still provides for a niche market. But the continent is home to a growing middle class, who want good looking, well finished and bespoke products.

MOTUNRAYO OLAOGUN FASHION DESIGNER, AYO VAN ELMAR (NIGERIA) "It is more important for us as African creatives, designers of whatever it is from clothing to accessories, to footwear, to create our own luxury, and then take it out to the world. Creating value in a very sustainable way, in a way that is socially sustainable as well. So, it means that the workers are treated fairly, that they get the right wages, no child labour, and you know just empowering African women."

The conference looked at ways to grow a new generation of tech savvy designers and help them build sustainable brands.

DR PRECIOUS MOTSEPE FOUNDER & CHAIRPERSON, AFRICA FASHION INTERNATIONAL "The internet has made it possible for individuals to start business and thrive. No longer do you need to have big overheads with expensive rentals. You can produce and sell, from a very small setting. where they incorporate their own individual aesthetics, into the garments, and that then takes these to a higher price point. So, I think the stuff that's produced by local designers is becoming more luxurious."

THEBE MAGUGU FASHION DESIGNER SA "The people that we've been exposed to at this conference, whether speakers or just delegates coming in for the conference has been invaluable, because a lot of these people are in very high echelons and you never get to see them in person."

African designers are holding their own in the glamorous world of luxury. And they're attracting international clients through their vibrant and unique designs.

Julie Scheier, CGTN, Cape Town, South Africa.