Durban’s iconic fashion fair celebrates 10 year milestone

Designers are putting their best feet forward in 12 fashion shows over 3 days at the 2021 Durban Fashion Fair, where their creations will grace the runway at the Durban Exhibition Centre from Wednesday until Friday.

The theme this year is ‘Reflections’, and promises to not only add colour and glamour, but also serve as an important milestone as the city’s signature fashion event marks 10 years of changing the local fashion industry.

eThekwini mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda said this important milestone presents an opportunity to reflect on achievements made over the past decade.

“Not only are we able to look back on the many achievements made over the past decade, but we can also celebrate the platforms that we have created for emerging designers,” he said.

The past decade has seen the fashion fair grow, with exciting features being added.

Starting as a one-night event with a few fashion shows, the fashion fair has grown into a multi-faceted event held over a number of days where fashion is celebrated.

Emerging designers have the opportunity for their designs to be showcased alongside other brands in the industry.

eThekwini’s fashion fair also has a mentorship programme, which serves as the backbone of the event and enables newcomers to not only hone their skills but evolve into confident professional designers.

Two of the designers, Mxolisi Luke Mkhize from House of Saint Luke, and Eli Ball from Made in Africa, have respectively gone on to showcase designs in Africa and Paris. Both first showcased designs at the Durban Fashion Fair.

This year, four DFF mentees became the first ever South African designers to team up with Mr Price Sport to design Team SA’s opening ceremony outfits for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The designers were Nompumelelo Mjadu, Sipho Lushaba, Mbali Zulu, and Sandile Sikhakhane.

“The DFF has and will continue to provide an important platform for talent and skills development. It has already played an important role in building the Durban fashion industry which has helped us to grow the economy and create jobs,” said mayor Kaunda.

Tickets available at R100 per show at webtickets.co.za. Day passes available at R250, or an all-inclusive 3-day pass at R500.

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