28 May 2010

Classy fashion talent unearthed from Gauteng student designers at Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award

Johannesburg – The judges discovered a number of hidden gems as they scrutinised the fifteen Gauteng semi-finalists in the prestigious Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award at Vodaworld in Midrand on Friday.

Tasked with selecting one student designer to represent the region at the national finals in Durban in six weeks time, the panel of judges, spearheaded by iconic designers Terrence Bray and David Tlale, were at  time brutal and unforgiving, but just as willing to heap praise on the exceptional entries.

The students, representing fashion colleges in Johannesburg, Tshwane, Vaal and North West, presented their raceday garments based on the theme "Its a Blooming Great Day" and then held their breath as the high powered panel of judges carefully scrutinised every aspect of their design, its construction, and its translation from the original storyboard design.

The nervous students relished the in-depth analysis of each of the garments entered from the designers, who often enthusiastically helped adjust the garments to avoid fashion faux pas.

The judges agonised over their decision, shortlisting the fifteen designers to three, before settling on the regional winner - LISOF Student Eldelene Marais -  whose innovative and feisty design, complete with delicate handmade flowers applied to the shoulders earned her R2000 in cash and will represent Gauteng at the national decider in Durban in mid July.

"The top three garments were exceptional," said David Tlale after the judging. "They were fresh, original and fashion forward, and quite unlike anything else we have seen in PE, Cape Town or Bloemfontein."

But he also blitzed a number of entrants for shoddy workmanship, poor finishing or incomplete garments. "Some of the work was disappointing," said Tlale. "The storyboards that won them a place in the semi-finals were great, but the finishing and workmanship was in many cases very poor."

Even Lisof student Laz Yani, who was plucked from his Eastern Cape roots  by Tlale last year and set up with an internship and studies in Gauteng to further his promising career was no spared the judges critical appraisals, and was forced to concede that he hadn't allowed enough time to finish his entry to the standards expected of the judges.

The overall winner of the competition will receive a R10 000 cash prize from Vodacom and a trip to the 2011 London Graduate Fashion Week, as well as a piece of jewellery from Mark Gold Jewels worth R30 000 .

The college or university that the winner is enrolled at will win a R30 000 bursary from Vodacom that can be used for bursaries for deserving students or the purchase of equipment to assist the fashion design students.

The Vodacom Durban July takes place at Greyville Racecourse on Saturday, 31 July 2010. More information can be found at www.vodacomdurbanjuly.co.za 

2010 Vodacom Durban July theme

"IT’S A BLOOMING GREAT DAY"

Plant a seed of good fortune,
In the garden of your mind.
Gather design, reap style,
Till it’s one of a kind.

Take a chance on wild,
Exotic if you must.
The flowers of our land,
Sub-tropical or dust.

A mixed bouquet,
In the early light of day.
Or maybe one brilliant bud,
Standing proud is the way.

Indigenous is ingenious,
A good bet to be seen.
Recycling’s one way,
Another is ‘think green’.

In a garden of colour,
One contest stands high.
A blooming great race,
The Vodacom Durban July.

The Vodacom Durban July
Africa’s Greatest Horseracing Event

Dave Macleod/
Gameplan Media

Dave Macleod/
Gameplan Media

Dave Macleod/
Gameplan Media

Dave Macleod/
Gameplan Media

Dave Macleod/
Gameplan Media