Durban - The Durban Fashion Fair (DFF) 2013 ended on a high note – one that had nothing to do with skyscraper heels or leggy models.
The fashion crowd that attended three nights of shows from August 22 to 25 lapped up the glitz, on and off the ramp.
Everyone wanted to be seen and celebs were there aplenty. It was a marketing opportunity for young and emerging designers whose clothes moved from ramp to fair stands. Young and student designers benefited from workshops led by industry stalwarts and the big names in South African fashion got to showcase fabulous ranges.
The DFF, in its second year as a stand-alone event, has been a leap of faith by the eThekwini Municipality Business Support, Tourism and Markets Unit.
Business Support Programme manager, Sindi Shangase, and Milan-based Italian stylist, Helene Blignaut, are being rewarded for their vision.
Blignaut said on Saturday night that this year’s DFF had more than delivered and she was confident that next year would be bigger and better.
Industry stalwart and mentor Greg Wallis said the fair had been a success and had the potential to grow. The standard of garments on show was high.
“While shows were well attended at night, the fair – entry to which was free – did not attract enough people during the day, which was disappointing,” he said. “Workshops were well attended and very successful.”
Wallis said the Milan internships had borne fruit and there had been an international flavour in the work of the interns.
The Milan internship show offered a mixed bag of quality and skill. A notable and wearable range was that of Karla Lortan, who showcased well-made shorts and dresses in rich hues.
Mxo Mkhize of House of St Luke said he had been inspired by his time in Rome and accessorised with crucifixes and zuchetto caps.
Italian designer, Diego Mazzi, and his wife and business partner, Manuela Bortolameolli, said they were “very surprised” at the standard of South African design seen during their first visit to South Africa.
Mazzi said that there was plenty of passion and talent that needed to be nurtured, adding that the creations of established South African designers would be quite at home on European catwalks and in boutiques.
Top of his list was award-winning designer, David Tlale, who quite literally took haute couture to the people with a spectacular show in front of the Durban City Hall on Saturday afternoon.
Ghana’s trending designer, Mina Evans, lent a classy West African feel to the colourful events of Saturday night.
Big South African names ensured the event had lashings of glamour.
Zama Mathe’s feminine Zarth range, in natural shades and mocha, featuring cream lace and pleather, received a standing ovation, with industry insiders predicting that this Durban designer would be one to watch.
Also on the bill on Thursday was Karen Monk-Klijnstra’s playful KMK KiDZ range, featuring tots to pre-teens in a colourful show that included balls, balloons and trikes.
Her adults wear was classic, quirky KMK.
Former Durbanite, Gavin Rajah, presented a black, white and off-white range with cut-out detail and embroidery, while Francois Vedemme’s signature white and cream, with lace, crystals and appliqué, was opulent and elegant.
Terrence Bray collaborated with artist, Jeannie Kinsler, to create a collection of floral and fruity prints, while Colleen Eitzen went tropical and summery, and Gert Johan Coetzee opted for dramatic black and white.
Several designers celebrated African glamour. Kathrin Kidger chose a Namibian desert theme with rich earthy tones and colourful indigenous prints.
Leigh Schubert had strong African influences in black and white with pops of acid colour, and Dax Martin’s Flavia d’Afrique show was proudly South African.
As was the DFF… - Daily News