4 June 2010

Fashion Challenge finalists bloom

Durban – Ten designers from across the country emerged as finalists in the Vodacom Durban July Fashion Challenge, after a gruelling judging session of the dozens of storyboards submitted to the stellar panel of fashion experts.

The esteemed panel of judges included Durban designer Leigh Schubert, SA Fashion Week convenor Lucilla Booysen, fashion pacesetter Derrick Mholongo, fashion programme director Tiffany Prior and Monica Holman of Gold Circle. They had the difficult task of deliberating over the various storyboards submitted and settling on ten finalists.

“The level of storyboard designs we received this year has been superb!” said Prior. “The judges were unanimous in the decision, which says a great deal about the quality of the top ten designers’ creative and technical ideas.”

“From what we have seen the future of SA fashion looks really bright, because we have some amazing designers emerging at the moment,” she added.

A total of 48 storyboards were received, reflecting a wide variety of innovative interpretations of this year’s theme “It’s a Blooming Great Day!”

“The standard was very high this year and judging from what we saw from the story boards I look forward to a stunning line up,” said Monica Holman.

Designers drew their inspiration from multiple aspects of plant life, using colour, effective layering and strong floral silhouettes and an evident slant towards current international fashion trends.

The eco-green movement was also drawn into this year’s theme and highlighted in many of the storyboard submissions. Designers made reference to various eco-friendly or recycled products ranging from ear buds and felt made from recycled plastic to a selection of natural fabrics.

The ten finalists will feature in the finals in Durban on 14 and 16 July at Greyville Racecourse, where an elite panel of judges will select the overall winner, who will only be announced on race day.

The Vodacom Durban July Fashion Challenge winner will walk away with R5000 in cash from Vodacom, a stunning piece of jewellery from the Mark Gold Fresh Flowers Collection to the value of R25 000 and a pair of stylish Police sunglasses. The first runner up receives R3000 cash and the second runner up R2000.

The ten finalists for the Vodacom Durban July Fashion Challenge are:
Stephen van Eeden, Lara Klawikowski, Zakayo Sentongo, Ludwig Bezuidenhout, Chelsea Lawson, Hanrie Lues, Cindy Armstrong, Chantelle Schutte, Claire Mackensie and Teresa Joubert

Any questions about the Vodacom Durban July Fashion programme can be directed to the fashion programme director Tiffany Prior on (031) 309 6114 (031) 309 6114 or by email on tiffany@dbn.icemodels.co.za

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

Samantha Thompson
/Gameplan Media