Don’t miss the Durban Fashion Fair

THE who’s who of the fashion industry will get together when eThekwini Municipality hosts the 3rd annual Durban Fashion Fair (DFF) taking place at the Durban ICC from 21 to 24 August.

The DFF is one of the most successful fashion programmes in the country which integrates fashion development, together with exhibitions, 16 fashion shows and continues to capacitate, empower, encourage the culture of entrepreneurship as well as facilitate access to markets and networking opportunities for established and local young designers.

Since the inception of the DFF, the City of Durban has sent a group of designers on an internship programme in Milan – the fashion capital of the world – and has produced more than 100 successful young designers who continue to make an impressive mark on the fashion industry.

According to eThekwini Mayor James Nxumalo the fashion industry is one of the major contributors to South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and continues to face challenges that require collective collaboration to make it a success. “It is in the City’s interest to make this industry successful and sustainable. The City has invested more than R10 million in the fashion development initiatives and programmes that include business management training, fashion shows, mentorship and international fashion internship. It is the City’s role to provide a conducive and an enabling environment for our designers while through Durban Fashion Fair, we continue to provide opportunities to access markets, including exploring physical and online shopping platforms.”

South Africa’s established designers such as Terrence Bray, Thula Sindi, Colleen Eitsen, Kathrin Kidger, Karen Monk-Klijnstra, Pulse, Amos EDC, Brenda, Quin, Dax Martin and CSquared, will share the runway with international designers such as Abrantie – The Gentleman, She by Bena, Shadow strap Rebelious Klothing, Chairty Nyirongo, Clemas and Massimo Crivelli who was the guest international designer for 2012. The fair will also showcase 10 emerging designers including Nguni Shades, St Luke, Sibu Msimang, Zarth, Black Pepper, Tribal Skin, Alfalfa and Duke to mention but a few.

One of the most notable features of the Durban Fashion Fair are Pop Up Shops with more than 50 exhibitors showcasing their products at the Durban ICC from Thursday, 22 to 24 August from 10am to 4pm. Entry to the Pop Up Shops and industry workshops is free.

Tickets to the show are now available at Computicket.