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.
The 25 student designers and the models showing off their outfits after the first round of judging on Wednesday (Pic- Graham Daniel /Gameplan Media)
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.
“The selection process was incredibly competitive, especially from the likes of colleges such as the Pietermaritzburg School of Fashion, that has an excellent track record of taking first prize, and Durban University of Technology, that has consistently produced designers that have made it to the top three – but we managed to narrow it down,” said Ngobese.
The stakes are high this year as the Hollywood Foundation have increased their total contribution awarded to bursaries for the winner, runner-up and third placed students from R100 000 to R150 000.
“Our research showed that tuition fees have gone up. So, we did this to meet the needs of parents and students. First prize will receive R70 000, second place R50 000 and third will receive R30 000 from the Hollywood Foundation,” said Ngobese.
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: “When we are judging, and when we see young people’s work, we look for creations that tell stories that are innovative and show cohesion. As a judge, and designer, I am constantly reminded of the raw, fearless, talent emerging from these young South Africans and their institutions.”
“Each year we are so privileged to witness the heartbeat of the next generation. What they are about and what they value. The focus this year was on finish and technique, whereas other years it was about design and not execution. It really is special to see the evolution of this competition, year on year, generation on generation.”
“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.”
“Those that can tie a design in with accessories and shoes, within the whole idea of it being a ‘race day’ look, they will set themselves apart from the collective. In the age of repetition, originality has become a super power.”
The 25 Young Designers will now go on to display their creations in the semi-finals at the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge raceday 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.
On both occasions, all three elements of the Durban July fashion experience – the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Award presented by Durban Fashion Fair; Hollywoodbets Durban July Invited Designer Showcase presented by Dove; and the Hollywoodbets Durban July DFF Rising Stars Collection – will show off their interpretations of the Marvels of Mzansi fashion.
The 25 semi-finalists in the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designers Award presented by Durban Fashion Fair are:
Irene Price (Esayidi Fashion school )
- Mary-Jane Mchunu (SG International)
- Fatu Shabane (Inscape Education )
- Thulethu Gezemdala (Fezile Fashion Academy)
- Mpilo Sithole (DUT)
- Vumani Mkhize (DUT)
- Andiswa Gumede (DUT)
- Tshepang Lebenya (DUT)
- Nothile Mkhungo (Esaydi Fashion School )
- Vuyiseka Myoni (Esaydi Fashion School )
- Zama Mbambo (PMB school of fashion)
- Wamukelwe Nyandeni (Esaydi Fashion School )
- Queenton Mjweni (DUT)
- Samkelo Mkhize (Umgungundlovu TVET)
- Olwethu Ngcobo (Umgungundlovu TVET)
- Nohlahla Dube (Umgungundlovu TVET)
