Six Durban
University of Technology Fashion and Textiles students have been shortlisted
for the Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award finals.
The talented
student designers were handpicked from 25 strong entries to proceed to the
final round of the Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award presented by Durban
Fashion Fair, a prestigious fashion competition that offers aspiring
KwaZulu-Natal fashion students an invaluable opportunity in advancing their
fashion career.
Talent abounded on
the runway with competition ensembles sewn from a range of innovative ideas
that suited the card-inspired Leader of
the Pack theme. Models wore outfits boasting diamond cut-outs, geometric
prints and stylish accessories.
Audiences were also
treated to five stylish collections from the Vodacom Durban July Designer
Collection presented by Durban Fashion Fair, giving but a taste of what to
wear on raceday.
Judged by some of
the most respected names in the industry, Zama Mathe, Kathrin Kidger, Sindi
Shangase, Hanrie Lues and Gold Circle's Monica Holman, the finalists’ creations
showcased a delicate blend of creativity, technical precision and clever
interpretation of the raceday theme.
Popular Durban
designer and one of this year’s eight Invited Designers, Zama Mathe, felt the
students pushed the envelope. “I loved the fact that the students can construct
a garment really well, interpret the theme in an indirect way and create a
raceday ready outfit that is fashion forward and trendy,” said Mathe.
It was the first
time judging the Young Designer Award for Bloemfontein Invited Designer Hanrie
Lues, who herself excelled in the national version of the fashion competition,
the Vodacom Durban July Fashion Challenge, just a few years back. “I personally
loved the designs where I could see the designer’s concept come to life through
great execution. The beauty of the construction combined with an innovative
idea and good fabric use was what stood out for me.”
DUT Design and
Textile lecturer, Meena Bagwandin, said the competition was challenging this
year but DUT managed to secure 6 out of 10 in the semi- finals.“Students have
done the Fashion Department proud once again. The success was due to students
experimenting with various techniques and surface design including Macramé
which is a hand-knotting technique, raw wool embroidery, leather cut out to
achieve a textile texture and screen printing. Also, having their accessories
designed and constructed to enhance their garment,” she said.
The finale will
play itself out on the Action Stage at Africa’s greatest horse-racing event on July
2 with the eventual winner walking away with an array of prizes including a
trip to New York Fashion Week flying courtesy of Delta Air Lines, R5,000 from
both Gold Circle and Schweppes, a Huawei P9 Smartphone from Vodacom and much
more. Second and third prize winners will win R3,000 and R2,000 respectively.
The DUT finalists
are Shéskia Aprakshya Ramnath, Neshika Nundkwar, Jessie-Gray Thornton, Mariah
Bianca Govender, Jessica Shuttleworth and Jamie Lynn Marais.
The 2016 Vodacom
Durban July takes place at Greyville Racecourse on July 2.
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