DUT FASHION SHOW 2010

Review of Durban University of Technology’s Department of Fashion & Textiles 2010 show. (Clinton Marius)

The somewhat obscure theme of the 2010 show by Durban University of Technology’s Department of Fashion & Textiles was Imaginary Friends, a theme which left me scratching my head, and which, undoubtedly, had many of the participating students doing the same ... if their ranges were anything to go by.

Some were literal interpretations, some were fanciful re-imaginings, and a few had absolutely no relation to the theme at all. In the programme notes the students speak of what inspires them, but in too many cases there was no correlation between their statements and what was on show.

Thirty-three students ranges were whittled down to the best twenty, and D.U.T. presented a slick and interesting showcase of these, with set, lighting and sound by Black Coffee Productions, and production by Tiffany Prior of Ice Model Management.

The show started with a final-year student presentation of disco- and pop-art-inspired printed t-shirts and bags, some of which took impracticality to a whole new level. A note for the production team: when showing bags, having models carrying them a few centimetres from the floor doesn’t really allow audience members sitting anywhere but in the front rows or on the raked seating to enjoy them. With fashion, the devil is in the detail.

Sheena Unwin won Best Range on Show for a brave collection featuring some gorgeous knits. It was nice to see some natural fabrics amidst the sea of synthetics. And while ladieswear dominated, Sandile Gregory Dladla’s nod to fashion icon, John Legend, saw him walking away with the award for Best Menswear Range. The prize for Most Commercial Range went to Juila Cronje, who drew inspiration from Greek mythology.

Other ranges that stood out were Tasmiyah Bhayla’s quirky designs inspired by Arabian warriors; Sindiswa Mgabhi’s collection, which featured a beautiful pale blue and cream gingham gown that drew sighs of delight from the crowd; a bohemian range by Kelby Holmes; and my favourite, a minimalistic range in gunmetal, silver and pewter by Sindiswa Mthumezi.

The show closed with three offerings by last year’s final students, with Dale McCarthy proving once again that he is a force to be reckoned with. This bright young designer has clearly set himself apart from the pack.

As much as I thrilled to the originality and creativity evident in many of the ranges, I was also alarmed at the number of ill-fitted garments I saw. Too many loose threads dangling here and there, badly-ironed fabrics, and even some skew seams. In some cases, these little avoidable wobbles spoiled what could have been fantastic ranges.

I would like to issue a challenge to next year’s students: remember you are dressing people, not draping windows ... and push yourselves to presenting definitive and directional designs. You have some of the best mentors and lecturers in the country, in a department that has a formidable reputation in the business. So do them proud. – Clinton Marius