Student to expand his brands with R50k winnings
The second-year Fashion and Textiles student from Durban University of Technology (DUT) was one of 10 finalists selected for the awards.
DURBAN student Ismael Mchunu (25) won first place at the Young Designer Award Finals at the Hollywoodbets Durban July on Saturday, July 2. The second-year Fashion and Textiles student from Durban University of Technology (DUT) was one of 10 finalists selected for the awards.
This week, Berea Mail caught up with Mchunu to find out what inspired his design and how the student plans to spend his R50 000 cash prize.
“I was so surprised when I won – it was unbelievable. The competition was tight – everyone was so creative. I wasn’t sure if I would make it,” said an elated Mchunu of his win.
Mchunu received R50 000 in bursary support from the Hollywood Foundation. He also won a trip to the prestigious SA Fashion Week in October, R10 000 in cash, compliments of Gold Circle and Schweppes and a R5 000 gift card, courtesy of Gateway Theatre of Shopping.
He plans to invest his winnings into studies and his two clothing brands: Hairryman and McXainn.
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“I started these clothing brands back in 2015, before I started my studies. Now that I have funding, I can take my brands seriously,” said Mchunu.
DUT, as the winning fashion institution, received a R30 000 grant from Gold Circle to be used to support the programmes and for the development of the design students.
Mchunu was among 10 finalists who interpreted this year’s race-day theme, Show Me the Honey, to create unique looks for the runway. His winning design was inspired by the anatomy of a flower.
“It was a complicated look – there was so much going on. I focused on the idea of the beauty inside a flower when it opens up – the dress reflected that. I used blue and black tones and chose silk fabric which is lightweight – I wanted the dress to have a lot of movement,” said the young designer.
The varied lengths of the ensemble’s skirts were designed to mimic the layers of a flower in bloom. Mchunu also included a voluminous sleeve with black line detail to reflect a bee’s wing.
“I saw the beauty inside the flower bud and transferred the features of the flower bud into my dress. I had a short skirt inside, followed by a long skirt, and above the long skirt, I used twisted buttons, and when you open the buttons, you will see the short skirt. The main aim, through my design, was to show the beauty inside the bud of the flower when it is open,” said Mchunu.
The designer put in long hours to complete the look.
“It took about two and a half months to complete the design. I would start work at around 07:00 or 08:00 and work until 16:00 or up to 19:00,” said Mchunu.
The design process called for long hours of research.
“It’s a process of understanding the theme,” explained Mchunu.
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Another student makes DUT proud
Also making DUT proud was Fashion and Textiles student Sinqobile Nzama who stitched her way to the Top 10 in the esteemed competition. Nzama’s design was inspired by the wings and the eyes of the bee. Nzama’s future plans include opening a manufacturing business to create employment opportunities for youth in rural areas. With her brand and registered company, I Conquer Creations, the young designer also hopes to create custom looks for her clients.
Professor Runette Kruger, executive dean of the Faculty of Arts and Design at DUT, sang the praises of the two students.
“The fashion students are supported and mentored by a very dedicated team of lecturers, and the talent in the department is next level. I cannot wait to see how Ismael and Sinqobile grow in their careers,” she said.
Finalists
On Wednesday, June 15, the 25 semi-finalists displayed race-day outfits inspired by the Hollywoodbets Durban July theme ‘Show Me the Honey’, all contending for a piece of the R100 000 prize pool set aside for the Hollywood Foundation’s top three students.
The 10 finalists were Sinqobile Nzama and Ismael Mchunu from Durban University of Technology; Nhlanhla Dlamini, Nandi Mkhize, Sebenzile Cecilia and Slindile Ndlovu from Pietermaritzburg School of Fashion; Vuyisile Nguzanye from Lindiwe Khuzwayo Academy of Fashion Design; Siyathokoza Zikhali from Fezile Fashion Skills Academy; Kenda Ntumba and Nonjabulo Khanyile from Eldonai School of Fashion.
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