Designing duo wows at Durban July
La Lucia’s Jane Wolff and Dale McCarthy from Glen Anil were two of the nine national designers invited to this year’s Vodacom Durban July.
THE fashion industry has been abuzz with excitement as the annual Vodacom Durban July (VDJ) finally rocked onto the scene last weekend.
Amidst the glitz and the glam, two local designers wowed the crowds as they showcased their themed creations at one of the event’s most prestigious shows, the Invited Designers Showcase. This year’s VDJ theme was ‘The Captain’s Table’.
La Lucia’s Jane Wolff (30) and Dale McCarthy (27) from Glen Anil were two of the nine national designers invited to this year’s show. The designers were selected based on their standing within the market, their experience, media profiles as well as their performance in other high-profile national fashion events.
Fresh out of college, the duo entered the fashion scene in 2012 when they decided to join forces in an effort to start their own bridal designing company.
“We had been studying together at the Durban University of Technology, and we just connected. We always stuck together. While our styles are a little different – Dale is more classic and I am more ‘out there’ – we decided to start our own company and merge our styles as we worked so well together,” said Wolff.
McCarthy and Wolff, who are bridal designers, took inspiration from sunken treasure to create their intricate, ethereal creations. The colour, said McCarthy, was drawn from oysters, as the delicate pink could still be incorporated into their bridal passion. Hours were spent sewing the tiny metal and beaded details onto the creations.
“We had to think a little out-of-the-box as the Durban July designs are a little different to what we are used to. But we made it work. As bridal designers, we enjoy bonding with our clients to create something that is timeless and detailed – something that will be treasured,” said Wolff.
When asked about them being selected as invited designers, McCarthy said they were humbled and thrilled by the opportunity. “It is a massive deal to be selected for the show. You have to have shown a big impact in the industry, and to have been recognised is really humbling and exciting,” he said.
