As some of the leading names in fashion present their ranges at SA Fashion Week in Johannesburg until Sunday, tomorrow’s stars will be preparing to put their designs on the ramp at the Durban University of Technology’s annual fashion shows in Durban next week.
The DUT’s Department of Fashion and Textiles will hold shows from October 3-5, showcasing the work of 40 third-year students, with the best 20 ranges being featured at the final showing.
The DUT has produced some of the country’s most successful designers such as Karen Monk- Klijnstra, Francois Vedemme, Dion Chang, Amanda Laird-Cherry, Colleen Eitzen, Bongi Walaza, Craig Native, Terrence Bray, Kathrin Kidger, Sibu Msimang and Brendan Sturrock to name a few.
The new crop of students are hoping to match the success of their predecessors and have been encouraged to get creative with this year’s theme, “Fibres of my Avatar”. Each student has had to design and make seven outfits.
Students have certainly thought outside of the box. Daniel Panton used a dog blanket to make a funky fringed poncho, Lauren Jansen went green with a swing top poncho sewn from second-hand saris and Chelsea Larkin made a statement with a flowing red skirt teamed with a hand-cut jacket of tassels made of upholstery fabric.
Fashion and Textile acting HOD, Sunthra Moodley said this year’s theme focused on a journey of self-discovery of the designer – a journey to express their identity and make a social statement.
“All ranges are visually well presented with the right amount of creativity, innovation and style,” Moodley said.
“It involved visual thinking, planning and co-ordination and the show boasts a diverse range from avant-garde to commercial clothing.”
This year’s panel of judges will include established designers from the local fashion industry.
Sponsored prizes will be awarded to the best designers of the Most Innovative Range, Most Commercial Range, Best Range on Show, Best Technical Range and Best Menswear Range.
Fashion and Textile lecturer Meena Bagwandin said the show gave the students a platform to expose their talent by meeting and fulfilling a design brief.
“They have chosen fabrics, embellishments, accessories and considered various elements, including personal style and focus on quality, to showcase their work,” she said.
The show promises to be slick, with production, choreography and models by Tiffany Prior of Top Notch Talent (Ice Models), stage and lighting by Black Coffee Productions, make-up by Pout and hair by The Salon.
Tickets are R50 unreserved and available at Computicket.
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Models: Sibu Jili and Melissa Wright of Ice Models
Pictures: Terry Haywood
Location: Durban Botanic Gardens