The Vodacom Durban July is more than a month away, but fashion fever is mounting as competition finalists are selected and fashionistas plan their outfits
There will be plenty of glitz and glamour for this year’s Vodacom Durban July (VDJ) as fashionistas look to Hollywood, Bollywood and Nollywood to interpret this year’s fashion theme The Big Screen.
Although the big race is six weeks away, Gold Circle’s fashion team has been poring over entries in the preliminary rounds of the fashion competitions. Invited designers have been named and the dates of the three pre-raceday fashion shows in the weeks before the July 5 event announced.
While the theme is a blank canvas for creative types, VDJ fashion director, Tiffany Prior, warns against strutting around the course as a movie character and advises racegoers to interpret the theme subtly.
“Research and interpret what you love about a certain character, movie or era of movies,” says Prior. “It should then be very easy to dress appropriately for race day. The overall impression must be posh and elegant.”
Designer Kathrin Kidger predicts glamour to shine on the day.
“We can expect to see garments that are inspired by film stars of the past and present,” she says. “Bollywood is also trending right now and I expect to see a lot of women in traditional dress.”
“It’s about old school Hollywood glam,” says designer Bianca Warren.
“Style, sophistication and timeless elegant red carpet wear.”
Warren suggests choosing formal long evening gowns in dark maroons, champagnes, greys, navy and blacks.
The eight designers – six from KwaZulu-Natal and two from Gauteng – have been named for the VDJ Invited Designer Showcase, presented by Lipsy: Durban designers Andre Martin, Casey Jeanne, Karen Monk Klijnstra, Kathrin Kidger, Vino Moodley, and Zama Mathe will join David Tlale and Paledi Segapo from Johannesburg. The event is a non-competitive platform that will see some of the country’s top designers interpreting the raceday theme at Greyville Racecourse on June 18 and 20.
“The Vodacom Durban July is not only a horse race but a high-end fashion event,” said David Tlale.
“Designers go all out – and it’s purely about promoting South African fashion.”
Casey Jeanne joins the line-up after winning the VDJ Fashion Challenge last year, and says this opportunity is a massive honour.
Karen Monk Klijnstra sees each designer’s showcase as a reflection of their creative spirit and genius. “This year’s theme lends itself to complete creative overdrive!” she says.
Vino Moodley described it as “a huge platform for fashion”.
The finalists for the VDJ Fashion Challenge presented by Lipsy have been announced. Emerging designers Nthabeleng Tseeke, Sthembile Zuma, Ngcebo Mnyandu, Larisa Terblanche, Daniel Panton, Sibusiswe Msimang, Gloudine van der Ryst, Refiloe Neo Mocwa, Hanli van der Spuy, Kabelo Legodi and Samantha Rosemary Feher will compete for some great prizes.
Designs drew inspiration from classics such as The Great Gatsby and James Bond as well as silver screen icons Audrey Hepburn and Charlie Chaplin. Designs were chosen according to a tough creative brief that included fashion components such as fit, quality-of-finish and interpretation of the theme.
Show info
* Young Designer Award Friday June 13 from 6.30pm. 30 finalists on show and top 10 will be selected. Free entry.
* VDJ Fashion Showcase includes invited designers, the finals of the Young Designer Award and the July Fashion Challenge. June 18 from 6pm. Show starts at 7pm. Tickets at R150 include snacks and wine.
* June 20 from 6pm. Show at 7pm. Tickets are R350 or R300 if booked as a table of 12. Includes dinner and wine.
Call Ayanda at 031 314 1645 or e-mail [email protected].