With more than 130 participating students and their garments on show, Wednesday’s first round of judging for the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designers Award presented by Durban Fashion Fair event was the largest and the most exciting to date, reflecting an incredible growth from participating colleges.
“Big thanks must go to the Hollywood Foundation and the newly-launched Race Coast for their incredible support in helping to drive and sustain this element of the Hollywoodbets Durban July. Through their work, it is exciting to see the brilliant display of talent and the number of participating colleges grow to nine,” said Fashion Programme Director Tiffany Prior.
Inspired by the theme “Marvels of Mzansi”, student designers showed a dazzling display of interpretations and adaptations of what it means to be South African – from landscapes to cityscapes, history, culture, art and entertainment.
The judges – Nonhlanhla Khumalo (Durban Fashion Fair), Vuyisile Ngobese (Hollywood Foundation), and designers Zama Mathe, Kathrin Kidger and Sandile Duke Mngadi – all agreed this year’s standard was incredibly high.
“This year’s theme encouraged designers to explore what makes South Africa truly remarkable. The students clearly drew inspiration from rich culture, our history, and the vibrant world of entertainment,” said Vuyisile Ngobese, judge and public relations officer for the Hollywood Foundation.
Ngobese emphasised that the selection process was incredibly competitive, sharing that the Durban University of Technology (DUT), has always consistently produced designers that have made it to the top three.
First prize will receive R70 000, second place R50 000 and third will receive R30 000 from the Hollywood Foundation.
Other prizes for the top students include travel to SA Fashion Week, cash from Schweppes and Race Coast, and gift cards from Gateway Theatre of Shopping.
Referring to the innovations on display, well-known fashion designer and judge Kathrin Kidger said: “This competition is not just about who can sew a beautiful garment, it’s about who can tell a really rock-solid, compelling story that ties into the given year’s theme. Innovation is key. We want to be surprised, we want to see material re-imagined and silhouette disrupted, and styling that feels daring and intentional.”
The 25 Young Designers will now go on to display their creations in the semi-finals at the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge event on 7 June, when the top ten finalists will be announced.
The finalists will then show off their designs on 27 June at the Hollywoodbets Durban July Fashion Gala Preview Evening at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping, and on 5 July at the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
The semi-finalists in the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designers Award presented by Durban Fashion Fair are: Mpilo Sithole, Vumani Mkhize, Andiswa Gumede, Tshepang Lebenya and Queenton Mjweni.
Pictured: The semi-finalists in the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designers Award.
Photography: Graham Daniel/Gameplan Media.
Story: https://www.hollywoodbetsdurbanjuly.co.za/uncategorized/mzansis-future-stars-show-off/
