Star student designers sail into town
The top 25 student designers were chosen as semi-finalists in the Vodacom Durban July Young Designer competition.
ONLY the classiest and most innovative young designers were invited to dine at the Captain’s table with just 25 breath-taking designs sailing their way through to the semi-finals of the Vodacom Durban July Young Designer competition.
Just under 100 fashion students from technikons and design colleges across KwaZulu-Natal flocked to the annual competition with their race day ensemble that reflected both the fashion theme of ‘The Captain’s Table’ and encompassed the true spirit of South Africa’s most prestigious horse racing event.
Waves of blue, an old Greek sea captain, elegant dinner looks and even the captain himself were just some of the many inspirations shining through the students’ unique designs. One aspiring designer chose to delve deeper into the maritime theme by constructing their garment from a ship’s structured design while another created an outfit centred around the golden champagne served at the Captain’s Table.
Tensions ran high as nervous students exhibited their dream designs to the high powered panel of judges, consisting of invited designer Haroun Hansrot, Durban Fashion Fair mentor Greg Wallis, Monica Holman from Gold Circle, Sindi Shangase from Durban Fashion Fair and Tiffany Prior, Fashion Programme Director of the Vodacom Durban July.
Wallis, along with the other judges, was blown away by the high quality of the student’s designs.
“I was most impressed with all the designers, whether they were chosen or not, they really understood and stuck to the brief. Some of them interpreted the theme in mysterious ways, which is so exciting to see” said Wallace.
Holman echoed this statement saying: “It has been the best year so far. The designers truly grasped the brief, understood the theme and really pulled out all the stops.”
Judges were partiality selective with their choices this year, opting for designs that pushed creative boundaries but still fitted into the creative brief. Both Hansrot and Shingase were blown away by the handiwork and immense detail put in by the young designers.
The top 25 entrants proceed into the semi-finals on Friday 12 June, with the 10 best heading onto the runway on 17 and 19 June. Winners will be announced on race day and will take home the grand prize of R10 000 compliments of Gold Circle.
Tickets for the spectacular Vodacom Durban July Fashion Experience Shows are available through fashionbooking@goldcircle.co.za or Thobeka on 031 314 1645.
The 2015 Vodacom Durban July takes place at Greyville Racecourse on Saturday 4 July. More information can be found at www.vodacomdurbanjuly.co.za
