The Department of Fashion and Textiles at DUT is yet again gearing up for another glamorous annual Fashion Show set to take place from Wednesday, 1 October 2014 to Friday, 3 October 2014.

Themed: BLOG THIS BEESH, this year’s fashion show will showcase the designs of 30 third-year-students with the best 15 ranges featured at the final showing which will be held on the last day of the fashion show (Friday, 3 October 2014).

“Blogging has been a useful tool for designers to research what is trending at street level and how their clothes are being interpreted,” said Terence Bray, third year Fashion and Textiles lecturer. “Which begs the question, who is guiding who, or is it just a cycle of inspiration? With social media and communication being what it is today, the world is a village where we can tap into each other’s lives at the click of a button. The options are endless in this world we have created,” said Bray.

Fashion is very trend-driven and the use of blogs in education gives students a global perspective. In designing their collections, students drew their inspiration from the global environment. The interpretation of the theme led them on a journey of self-discovery – a journey to express their identity and make a social statement.
“The students were tasked with putting together a collection of seven fully accessorised outfits that is reflective of their personal development, style and character. All the ranges are innovative, visually creative and diverse,” said Moodley.

This year’s panel of judges includes established designers from the local fashion industry. Sponsored prizes will be awarded to the best designers in the categories of Most Innovative Range, Best Range on Show, Most Commercial Range, Best Menswear Range and Best Technical Student.

Meena Bagwandin, third-year lecturer within the Department said the class of 2014 has extended itself by incorporating fabric printing to enhance their designs. “The show affords them a platform to expose their current talent by meeting and fulfilling the theme of the show. They have chosen fabrics, embellishments, accessories and considered various elements, including personal style and focus on quality to showcase their work,” she said.

The details of the DUT 2014 Annual Fashion Show are as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 1 October 2014 to Friday, 3 October 2014
Venue: Fred Crookes Sports Centre, DUT Steve Biko Campus, Gate 5
Time: 19h00
Parking is available at Gate 4 at the Steve Biko Campus.
Tickets cost R50.00 per person and will be available at Computicket.

– Supplied

Pictured: A fashion range with a twist, third-year Fashion and Textiles student Nomfundo Madlala (pictured with models above) creates a connection between fashion and biology with her human-anatomy inspired collection. This range saw her taking the coveted Best Range on Show award at the 2013 Annual DUT Fashion Show finale.