Ethewini municipality’s Business Support Tourism and Market Unit hosted the Durban Fashion Fair (DFF) from 21 to 24 August 2014
With fashion shows running daily from late afternoon through to the evenings, invited guests and Durban locals were treated to a wide range of fashion from local and international designers.
The shows included the more-experienced designers in the industry, past interns of the DFF program and interns who are in currently receiving mentorship within the program.
We saw beautiful and fresh collections from South African designers Thula Sindi and Paledi Segapo of Palse, while Milanese designer Massimo Crivelli treated us to an off-site show at the Durban Botanical Gardens. I loved Massimo’s combinations of light and heavy fabrics with black and white highlights against a neutral base, the collection had a 60’s influence with geometric patterns.
One of my favourite shows of the event was The Intern by David Tlale, in which four designers who had interned with David, showcased their collections.
The Emerging Designer Collections showcased up-and-coming designers who had gone through the DFF mentorship program for eight months. The entrants had to present their storyboard ideas to a panel before getting accepted into the program, and then had to commit to the eight-month program. Their commitment and hard work was recognised as 10 designers from the program have received the opportunity to travel to Milan, Italy to take part in a further two-month mentorship program.
This will go a long way towards contributing to and sustaining the development of the South African fashion industry.
There were two showstoppers. The first was Kathrin Kidger, whose collection had a chiffon, sequined and metallic effect with an influence of animal print and geometric stripes, comfortably ready to wear.
The second was Zarth who showed that she truly understands the female figure. I loved her use of fluid fabrics and soft feminine pleats. Her show was young and playful with a few celebrites walking for her including Minnie Dlamini, Lerato Kganyago and Sophie Ndaba.
The Durban Fashion Fair definitely got me excited about fashion again.
Images courtesy of Bongani Dlamini
