Blog-inspired fashionistas eye awards

Published Oct 1, 2014

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Durban - Blog this “beesh”, say young fashion designers from the Durban University of Technology (DUT).

Blog This Beesh is this year’s theme for the DUT annual fashion show, where 30 third-year fashion and textiles students will showcase their designs.

Of the 30, the 15 best ranges will be featured at the final show, which will be held on the last day of the annual fashion event, which runs from October 1 to 3.

Terrence Bray, a fashion design lecturer at DUT, said blogging had been a useful tool for designers to research what is trending at street level, and how their clothes are being interpreted.

“Which begs the question, who is guiding who, or is it just a cycle of inspiration?” asks Bray.

“With social media and communication being what it is today, the world is a village where we can tap into each other’s lives at the click of a button. The options are endless…”

DUT’s Fashion and Textiles Head of Department Sunthra Moodley says the use of blogs in education gives students a global perspective.

“The interpretation of the theme led them on a journey of self-discovery – a journey to express their identity and make a social statement,” Moodley said.

“The students were tasked with putting together a collection of seven fully accessorised outfits reflective of their personal development, style and character. All the ranges are innovative, visually creative and diverse.”

Caitlin Shoesmith, who will showcase her talent at the fashion show, said her design had been inspired by a circus.

“My whole inspiration was about carnival and the whole world of carnival before the social media. So my model is a circus freak, but shows the old school of it and the exclusion of it in the society.

Sphelele Nene said her design interprets a young boy from a disadvantaged background. Through creativity he manages to cut clothes and make them look more fashionable.

“…Basically, the design says you don’t have to have money to be stylish.”

Bongekile Manana has modernised something traditional to make it suitable for the younger generation.

“My concept is a BaSotho traditional blanket, but geared to the African young woman who wants to be traditional and trending at the same time,” said Manana.

Alice Rash was inspired by the Spanish folk dance music.

“My range is Flamenco. I want it to be modernised and I had to go for a different colour to make it more appealing,” said Rash.

Sadie Bosworth Smith, who won the Young Designer Award at the Vodacom Durban July, drew her inspiration from nature.

“I was inspired by mushrooms and jellyfish.” The shape “looks like an abandoned dress, washed down a river”. She said the layers, folds and hanging strips “are deliberate, to get attention”.

Racine Denny, a designer and model, said the emotional stress she went through when one of her relatives was suffering from cancer had inspired her to come up with a brilliant red suit, the colour “illustrating” blood cells.

“I wanted to focus on how diseases have affected people’s lives and bodies. So I came up with a design that would expose her body and, at the same time, illustrate unhealthy veins and healthy veins, to symbolise how cancer affects people’s bodies,” said Denny.

This year’s panel of judges includes designers from the local fashion industry and sponsored prizes will be awarded to designers in the categories of most innovative range, best range on show, most commercial range, best menswear range and best technical student.

Siyabulela Dzanibe, Daily News

* The DUT 2014 annual fashion show will be held at Fred Crookes Sports Centre, DUT Steve Biko Campus, Gate 5, from Wednesday to Friday at 7pm.

Parking is available at Gate 4 at Steve Biko Campus. Tickets are R50 per person, available at Computicket or at the door.

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