There were scenes of jubilation, emotional embraces and tears of happiness as Mlungisi Ndlovu and Thato Selekane from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) secured first and third places respectively at this year’s Young Designer Award, sponsored by Metro FM, during the Hollywoodbets Durban July on Saturday, 4 July 2026.
Mlungisi captivated the judges, claiming first place with an exceptional Nguni-inspired design. Drawing inspiration from the colours of the iconic Nguni cow, the winning garment interpreted the official ‘Country Allure’ theme through contemporary couture. Showcasing exceptional craftsmanship, intricate detailing and confident storytelling, the design beautifully reflected this year’s theme.
“I can’t believe it. It feels unreal. I am happy, but I can’t believe this is happening. I really didn’t think I had a chance,” said Mlungisi, who used coffee to stain the fabric and achieve the garment’s distinctive finish.
For Mlungisi, his passion for fashion began in 2016 when his late mother encouraged him to learn the basics of sewing. A self-taught designer herself, she believed that regardless of what he chose to pursue after matric, he should always have a practical skill.
“These competitions are vital for DUT students because they expose you to the realities of the industry. You may think you are the best at university, but competitions like these humble you. They encourage you to go back to the drawing board, reassess, learn, evolve, try again and continue growing.
“My main inspirations are Yohji Yamamoto and Alexander McQueen. I love their rebellious spirit and the freedom with which they express themselves because I believe true art happens when you are at peace. In South Africa, I admire Thebe Magugu, Maxhosa, Tshepo Jeans and Ifuku, who are making our culture fashionable while producing premium-quality designs.”
He currently designs adaptive apparel for people living with disabilities and hopes to establish a partnership with the DUT Disability Unit, together with the Prosthetics and Orthotics units, to help shape the brand.
“The aim is not only to create beautiful statement dresses, but to make a meaningful difference through inclusive fashion and solve existing challenges. As an entrepreneur, I want to grow while contributing to a stronger economy,” he added.
As the overall winner, Ndlovu received a fashion travel package to Johannesburg to attend SA Fashion Week 2026, courtesy of Race Coast and SA Fashion Week, a R70 000 bursary from the Hollywood Foundation towards his current or future studies, R10 000 in cash courtesy of Race Coast and Schweppes, and a Kryolan Professional Make-Up voucher valued at R2 500.
Claiming third place was Thato Selekane. For this year’s ‘Country Allure’ theme, she sought to challenge stereotypes surrounding traditional Pedi spiritual practices. She explained that she used heavy fabric to blend luxury with hard work, demonstrating that high fashion can also celebrate practicality.
“I also used cowrie shells as accessories to represent the blessings of a successful and abundant harvest. The outfit is about celebrating natural wealth.
“Placing third in this prestigious competition is incredibly validating and overwhelming in the best possible way. As a third-year DUT student, standing on that stage alongside such immense talent felt like a defining milestone. It is proof that the long hours have paid off, and it has given me tremendous confidence as an emerging designer,” she said.
She noted that every designer brought exceptional craftsmanship and unique storytelling to the runway.
“Competing alongside them was an invaluable learning experience. While many focused on traditional glamour, my approach was rooted in technical design and creating bold, distinctive shapes. Bringing that highly structured, academic perspective to a major commercial platform felt unique, and it was fascinating to see my structural style alongside so many different creative ideas,” Thato explained.
She expressed her gratitude to her family, lecturers and peers at DUT for their unwavering support throughout the journey.
“This design is just the beginning of how I intend to merge traditional African textiles with high-end structural design. I’m excited to continue pushing these boundaries in my future work,” she said.
Thato received a R30 000 bursary from the Hollywood Foundation, R2 000 in cash courtesy of Race Coast and Schweppes, and a R1 000 Gateway Theatre of Shopping gift card.
Sharing her congratulatory message, Ms Nomonde Peter, a Fashion and Textiles lecturer expressed said the Fashion and Textiles Department at the Durban University of Technology is immensely proud and excited by this outstanding achievement. Having one of DUT’s students crowned the overall winner and another securing third place is a remarkable testament to the creativity, dedication, resilience, and technical excellence that DUT students consistently demonstrate.
She highlighted that the standard of the competition was exceptionally high, with students presenting innovative concepts, outstanding craftsmanship, and strong storytelling through fashion.
“Our students demonstrated a remarkable ability to interpret the Durban July Country Allure theme while balancing creativity with technical precision and commercial awareness. We are grateful to the organisers of the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer competition for providing emerging designers with an opportunity to showcase their talent to the fashion industry. We also acknowledge the dedication of our lecturers, industry partners, and support staff, who play a vital role in developing the next generation of South African fashion designers,” she said ecstatically.
The Hollywoodbets Young Designer Award, sponsored by Metro FM, has established itself as one of South Africa’s premier platforms for discovering tomorrow’s fashion leaders. Each year, it challenges students to transform a theme into wearable works of art, and this year’s ‘Country Allure’ brief inspired a spectacular showcase of garments celebrating pastoral beauty, heritage, artisanal craftsmanship and contemporary elegance.
Pictured: Mlungisi Ndlovu and Thato Selekane with their winning designs at the prestigious Young Designer Award.
Photography: Hollywoodbets Durban July
Story: Waheeda Peters/https://www.hollywoodbetsdurbanjuly.co.za/uncategorized/young-designer-captures-the-spirit-of-country-allure/
