Durban - This year’s spring/summer fashions will be simple and fabulous, judging by the forecasts of SA Fashion Week in Johannesburg at the weekend.
Designer ranges for the warm seasons varied from elegant, colourful and frivolous to monochromatic, pared-down and serious.
Durban designers made an impressive showing. Terrence Bray’s elegant range used cream and ivory silks, with hand-painted floral sprays, done in collaboration with artist Jeannie Kinsler.
Bianca Warren’s message was one of femininity.
She used nude, dusty pink, grey gold and champagne to create an effortlessly elegant range.
High-waisted pants and skirts featured, as well as soft chiffons and beadwork.
Durban designer Colleen Eitzen said she was going through an introspective period in her life, after the death of a close friend. It was reflected in her simple range of white, stone and black.
Amanda Laird Cherry’s Groendakkies-inspired range represented the fragility of the mind and the various stages of a woman’s life. (Groekdakkies is a colloquial name for Weskoppies state mental hospital in the Cape.)
Hanrie Lues was inspired by her late mother’s botanical paintings. She hand-dyed fabrics in bold colours to portray petals and plants.
Jamal Nxedlana went for textured tailored jackets and slip dresses.
Another colourful range was that of former Durbanite Joel Janse van Vuuren who opted for a patchwork theme in blue, green and slate grey.
Once again, up and coming designers as well as the established Haroun Hansrot shone in the KZN Fashion Council’s show, held in association with the eThekwini Municipality’s Business Support, Tourism and Markets Unit.
Hansrot showcased love and romance with his impressive “50 shades of lilac” range, combining different hues in silk chiffon and silk satin garments.
Nishai Sookdhew created an impact with a flirty range that embodied fit and flair, combining brights with blacks and solid colours.
Jacqueline Munsamy used crisp linens and cottons, with pretty lace trims to create a fun collection with a sophisticated twist.
Kujula Mtambo’s bright, wearable menswear range was all about enabling men to look good in the street and Vijay Shah’s beautiful jewellery complemented the KZNFC garments.
SA Fashion Week director Lucilla Booyzen said the ranges were diverse.
“There was not one specific look that came through. The designers have grown enormously when it comes to combining wearability with design, which after all is the purpose of design – to create a sustainable business that can in return create jobs.”
She said the Durban designers had brought a different element to the event and had been well received.
“The buyers’ lounge is where we see the results, so we will be able to tell after the two buyers’ lounge days.” - Daily News