Young designers in a special district in Johannesburg, South Africaare getting a break. 

Johannesburg is a city that's determined to remake itself - as a magnet for disposable income. This is one of the attempts, a self-styled fashion district in Johannesburg's once unfashionable CBD.

Fashion district in Johannesburg

The venue opened in 2008, sponsored by the Johannesburg Development Agency, which has invested around two and a half million dollars. Dozens of up-and-coming designers are being encouraged to show off their efforts here through open fashion shows to the public.

For now, the designers are mainly from South Africa, but organisers want designers from across the continent to get involved.

For those just starting out, it's invaluable.

South Africa's fashion industry is still finding its feet, but supporters reckon the talent is there, and the potential for job creation too. It just needs to find a wider market.

South Africans with money favour the big international fashion brands available in the country's richest malls, such as Sandton. But if things go to plan, this fashion district will catch their eye and draw them away to more locally sourced designs.