Bedazzling striped socks, Durban footprint sandals, colourful patterned fabrics, masks, head scarfs, meshed netting, cone-head hats, and blockwork designs dominated the podium for the second day of the Durban University of Technology’s Department of Fashion and Textiles Fashion Show, held last night (Thursday), 3 October 2018, at the Station Urban Event Space, in Durban.
With the theme being ‘d’Urbania, 43 design students (two invited students from Minjiang University in China) were each given the opportunity to interpret, design and showcase the theme of what cultures and subcultures that have shaped Durban into what it is known for and also pay homage to the vast melting pot of cultures, beliefs and styles.
Judges Kassie Naidoo, Fanie Cronje, Sharon Armstrong and Thandolwethu had a difficult time rating the student designers like Hanelka Naidu, who delivered on point with her range depicting the contradiction between the beauty of the Durban Harbour and the human trafficking within.
Her parents, Reddy and Sushi Naidu were ecstatic with her showing. “To us she is already a winner, she worked very hard, researching till late hours and putting together her concepts for her designs, and we are so proud of her,” they said.
Another delightful range was of Aaliah Docrat’s, mom and kiddies wear which had all the elements of the rides, colours and exhilaration felt at the Durban Funfair. The audience was enthralled with her simple but aesthetically beautiful usage of yellow, pink and baby blue colours for her collection.
Designing to the theme became an important cause for student designer Adelaide Mukunga, whose denim designs were inspirations that were drawn from festering issues such as human trafficking, rape, femicide and modern slavery. “My range is the unspoken word of #enoughisenough, and I wanted to depict what transpires at the Point Harbour such as human trafficking and rape, through my range,” she stressed.
Frank Lin Wu, the Co-Dean of Confucius Institute of DUT, was equally excited to have delegates from two Chinese universities attend, as a fashion partnership with DUT and Minjiang University already exists. “DUT’s Confucius Institute is aiming to further forge more collaborations with Chinese universities, and fashion is one of the areas that partnerships with Chinese universities can be looked at,” he said.
Day Three will culminate with 20 of the best ranges selected to be showcased for the gala evening, today, (4 October 2019).
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, Best Technical Student and a Special Recognition Award.
Pictured: Student designer Adelaide Mukunga, with her designs which stand for a cause.
Waheeda Peters
