GATEWAY’S VODACOM DURBAN JULY PREVIEW FASHION SHOW

If you missed this one be sure to catch next year’s event! (Review by Raeesa Abdul-Karrim)

The Vodacom Durban July, known as Africa’s Greatest Horseracing event is synonymous with high stakes and high fashion. Without a doubt it is the highlight of Durban’s social calendar. Guests get to soak up Durban’s warm winter sunshine and celebrate the sport and local fashion. However, the night before is all about Couture!

Gateway’s Vodacom Durban July Preview Fashion Show, now in its fourth year is an indulgent sneak peak at what the main event has in store for fashion enthusiasts. It is the perfect complement to the weekend’s racing revelry. And it’s free!

Temporarily remodelled with a crisp clean catwalk, the Wave House at Gateway Theatre of Shopping was host to what seemed like thousands, all eager to witness the style extravaganza. This year’s Fashion experience theme was all about going green, titled A Material World? with instructions to designers being: Reduce, respect, reconstruct My Dear, Recycle, repair rethink Monsieur. I was certainly curious to see how they would create “environmentally conscious fashion-stories, using recycled and up-cycled materials”.

Hosted by 5fm’s Poppy Ntshongwana, the show started with a sultry and incredibly fit duo of aerial artists amazing the audience with many “don’t try this at home” moves. First on the line-up were emerging designers selected by eThekwini Municipality’s Community Foundation (eCF). Lungelo Zondo; Senzo Ngcamu; Thulani Mnguni; Kujula Mntambo; Thiran Moodley and Sandile Mngadi have all completed an international internship through an Italian based International fashion school as part of the project. This was clearly evident in their collections, as the elaborate designs were all beautifully put together using various raw and recycled materials. The list included newspaper, hessian, plastic and even a cassette’s magnetic tape (it did make me wonder if the designer got some of his inspiration from a particular Bruno Mars song, or maybe not).

Next up were more subtle ensembles from popular designers, fashion stores and labels housed at the Gateway ranging from clean cut smart casual, boho chic to ethereal elegance. The final segment presented the showcase pieces by style stalwarts such as Leigh Schubert; Colleen Eitzen; Gideon; Terrence Bray; and Andre Martin. As much as each of the designs where impressive and unique, I couldn’t help a vague sense of disappointment in the lack of vivacity. Nevertheless, every model that stepped onto the ramp was definitely dressed to impress.

Noteworthy showstoppers that left me a little awestruck were those by Gideon and Brenda Quinn. Both pieces were intensely dramatic with long, fluid, multi-layered draping in earthy hues and intricate head gear. It was interesting to note that most of the shoes in the various ranges were understated. My favourite accessory which I thought quite innovative was an old brown rectangular bag with a clock face on the lid. The excitement of the evening certainly leaves you in anticipation of the next showcase, so if you missed this one be sure to catch next year’s event.

However, that wasn’t the end!. After the fashion show, the concert featuring renowned South African artists Liquideep, Fresh and Euphonik and Niskerone kept the audience entertained well into the night. – Raeesa Abdul-Karrim