The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Fashion and Textiles students once again dominated the Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award presented by Durban Fashion Fair on Saturday, 07 July 2018 at the Greyville Racecourse, as three DUT students clinched the top three spots for a second successive year.

The Greyville Racecourse played host to the thrilling climax of the gruelling three month build-up to the Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award and DUT’s Georgina Brink walked away with the coveted award.

Brink delved deep into her heritage and that of the nation to find her inspiration for her garment.

“I took the theme “It Is Time” and used it to look back in time and connect with where we come from,” the bubbly Brink said.

“I wanted to celebrate our diversity by bringing it all together. There are elements from my Dutch heritage as well as bits and pieces of the stylised paintings and ancient crafts incorporated in the design,” said Brink.

Winning a prestigious title like the Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award is a major step in the right direction for Brink.

“I am so excited that my name is going to get out there. To be able to socialise and network with some of the country’s best designers as well as having them know my name is great! I am still over the moon with my award,” added Brink.

For all of the student designers it has been a difficult and stressful time getting their concepts and theories into a physical garment with the panel of judges eventually deciding that the top prize should go to Brink, with fellow DUT students Andile Nsele and Nhlosenhle Cele finishing in second and third place respectively.

Stakes were already in the favour of DUT as it had 9 students in the top 10 going into the final showdown. The following 9 DUT students made the top 10, Brink Georgina, Cele Nhlosenhle, Lange Chane, Lubisi Glacious, Memela Minenhle, Mkhwanazi Talent, Mngoma Mhlengi, Mokgope Malcolm and Nsele Andile.

Pictured: The top three in the Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award, presented by Durban Fashion Fair, (from left) second placed DUT student designer Andile Nsele with model Thandanani Majola, model Nayizolo Simelane, winning DUT student designer Georgina Brink and model Sarah Macleod in the third placed design of Nhlosenhle Cele at the 2018 Vodacom Durban July on Saturday, 7 July 2018.

Nduduzo Ndlovu / Gameplan Media