12 July 2010

Young designer trio in full bloom

Durban - Greyville Racecourse was blooming with activity after the announcement of the three regional finalists in the popular Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award ending much deliberation as to which students will represent KwaZulu-Natal in this prestigious national fashion competition finals.

The line up of judges, which included Terrence Pillay, Omeshnie Naidoo, Christine Hammon Delport and Durban designers Kathrin Kidger and Suzy Mockridge, had the difficult task of selecting three regional finalists. After a thorough process the judges decided on Dale McCarthy, Sheena Unwin and Casey Walters all currently enrolled at Durban University of Technology.

"Durban students understand this competition," said fashion programme director Tiffany Prior. "It's the home of the Vodacom Durban July and as usual any of the twenty students could have been chosen as a finalist."

McCarthy was inspired by burlesque dancers and went against the grain by opting not to make use of the usual bright floral colours but rather black and neutral colours with a splash of pink. "This is a huge he honour for me and the kind of exposure any young designer could just wish for," said McCarthy.

"I'm not going to lie, I wanted this so bad and now that it's here I'm going to own it!" he laughed. "I'm really really happy right now!" The fourth year student mentioned he had already done some investigation online as to what the other regions will be showcasing at the final.

Walters was feeling "very overwhelmed" after being named one of the regional finalists. "I love designing, it's what I was born to do!" explained Walters.

"I drew my inspiration from the Dandelion flower and focused on the fact that this flower was delicate yet structured," said Walters. Her garment was a sure crowd pleaser and was intricately made up of a fitted bodice and Victorian embellished shirt adorned with elements from a recycled wedding dress. A very cheeky and sexy version of the theme "It's a Blooming Great Day!"

Unwin's garment was no doubt an stand out interpretation of the theme as her neutral coloured garment infused with red leaf like veins in the structured skirt and was topped of with a mock leather skullcap. "I didn't want to do the usual flower, so I did tons of research before starting my design process," said Unwin.

"I chose to look at flowers in the more medicinal way and their benefits," said Unwin. The young designer looked closely at AIDS and Cancer for these floral benefits and translated these into her garment by using the red veins for human veins, and the skullcap representing Cancer.

The three regional finalists will represent KwaZulu-Natal at the national finals where their designs will be on show at a glitzy fashion show to be held at Greyville Racecourse in Durban on 14 and 16 July. The overall winner will only be announced at the Vodacom Durban July on 31 July.

Both regional finalists selected will also walk away with R2000 in cash from Vodacom. 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 ring from Mark Gold Jewels Fresh Flowers Collection worth R30 000, a make up and skincare hamper from L'Oreal Paris, a stylish pair of Police Sunglasses worth R1900, a Canon Powershot A490 digital camera and Canon IP2700 Printer, a high-fashion Kathy Van Zeeland handbag from de Marigny's and a Vodafone 845 handset with Android from Vodacom.

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.

Any questions about the Vodacom Durban July Fashion programme can be directed to the fashion programme director Tiffany Prior on (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

Anthony Grote / Gameplan Media
 

Anthony Grote / Gameplan Media
 

Anthony Grote / Gameplan Media
 

Anthony Grote / Gameplan Media