Pietermaritzburg
Karen Millen and Sheelagh Wright identified the need and potential in establishing a sustainable working project in South Africa to provide fashion skills to a young generation affected by HIV and extreme poverty. They travelled extensively in 2007 looking at areas that fulfilled their criteria. A township was selected, that due to poor economics, demographics and one that was deeply affected by HIV required vital regeneration. The region of KwaZulu-Natal was quickly identified and Project Gateway was the ideal site located in the city of Pietermaritzburg.