On Friday night (30 September), the Durban University’s Fashion and Textiles Department held its annual Fashion Show 2016 where five overall winners, as well as other winners who had won merit awards for showing excellence in their ranges, were crowned.

Themed: After Earth, this year’s Show challenged 35 Fashion and Textiles students to explore their own vision of our next world through their respective fashion ranges.

Janine Turner scooped the Special Recognition Award for her Chimera range which, according to her artist statement, was inspired by Icelandic Folklore: whispers of mythical little people existing in the depths of moss-covered, misty tundra…the After Earth strange, whimsical.

Turner used felting, one of the oldest fiber crafts, which employs a process of creating an object with wool fibers.

“Felting is a lost art and it (felt) is the first material men made. Wool design felt is also sustainable because it doesn’t require expensive machines; you can do it at home,” she said.

Turner said the process of conceptualising and designing her range was quick. “The initial work was very fast; it was about a week”, she said, adding that her future plans are to pursue an international career in kids’ wear. “It’s (kids’ wear) unexplored territory. There’s so much room to grow and explore,” she said.

–          Sinegugu Ndlovu

Pictured: Janine Turner with models wearing her Chimera range which earned her the Special Recognition Award during the annual Fashion Show 2016.

Picture credit: Colourise Photography Studio

Models: Ice Models