By Tiso Black Star Group DIGITAL
The Durban July is as much about fashion as it is about horse racing, with people often talking more about who was wearing what than which horse won Africa’s biggest and richest horse racing event.
Seen as a vital stepping stone for any career in fashion‚ the Vodacom Durban July pre-race day fashion competitions‚ presented by Durban Fashion Fair‚ has come to a dramatic close with Leona Magdelene Pillay and Kimosha Ganas being named as winners of the Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award and Fashion Challenge respectively.
Designers had to dazzle the judges on the technicality of their outfit‚ how innovatively they interpreted the “Leader of the Pack” theme and if they succeeded in creating an ensemble that effortlessly portrayed the stylish spirit of the Durban July.
It was up to the local fashion connoisseurs‚ made up of Invited Designers Francois Vedemme and Kathrin Kidger‚ Sindi Shangase from the Durban Fashion Fair‚ East Coast Radio presenter and media personality Terence Pillay and Grazia fashion editor Nonkuthalo Thithi‚ to decide the fate of which creations lived up to the brief.
Trumping scores of other fashion students from around the province, Durban University of Technology (DUT) student Pillay was crowned the winner of the Young Designer Award‚ her royal blue and beige ensemble winning her a once-in-a-lifetime accompanied trip to the New York Fashion Week.
“My design was inspired by the queen of spades‚ who is seated right next to the strongest card of the pack‚ the king of spades. I believe that behind every successful man is a strong women.”
Victory was also on the cards for Ganas‚ her futuristic-inspired outfit with geometric prints helping her to take home first prize for the Fashion Challenge. Beating other aspiring designers and out-of-province students, Ganas was visibly overwhelmed by her win.
“I wanted to do something trendy and high fashion and used the diamond shape as my inspiration.”
Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award:
1. Leona Magdelene Pillay (DUT; model – Mahlatse)
2. Shéskia Aprakshya Ramnath (DUT; model – Saskia)
3. Athenkosi Mfungula (Pietermaritzburg School of Fashion Design; model – Mbiyashe)
Vodacom Durban July Fashion Challenge Award:
1. Kimosha Ganas (model – Alex)
2. Mbaliyethu Zulu (model – Leah)
3. Clara Vach (model – Tyler) — Tiso Black Star Group Digital
Student shows off her superior form
The Durban July is as much about fashion as it is about horse racing, with people often talking more about who was wearing what than which horse won Africa’s biggest and richest horse racing event.
Seen as a vital stepping stone for any career in fashion‚ the Vodacom Durban July pre-race day fashion competitions‚ presented by Durban Fashion Fair‚ has come to a dramatic close with Leona Magdelene Pillay and Kimosha Ganas being named as winners of the Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award and Fashion Challenge respectively.
Designers had to dazzle the judges on the technicality of their outfit‚ how innovatively they interpreted the “Leader of the Pack” theme and if they succeeded in creating an ensemble that effortlessly portrayed the stylish spirit of the Durban July.
It was up to the local fashion connoisseurs‚ made up of Invited Designers Francois Vedemme and Kathrin Kidger‚ Sindi Shangase from the Durban Fashion Fair‚ East Coast Radio presenter and media personality Terence Pillay and Grazia fashion editor Nonkuthalo Thithi‚ to decide the fate of which creations lived up to the brief.
Trumping scores of other fashion students from around the province, Durban University of Technology (DUT) student Pillay was crowned the winner of the Young Designer Award‚ her royal blue and beige ensemble winning her a once-in-a-lifetime accompanied trip to the New York Fashion Week.
“My design was inspired by the queen of spades‚ who is seated right next to the strongest card of the pack‚ the king of spades. I believe that behind every successful man is a strong women.”
Victory was also on the cards for Ganas‚ her futuristic-inspired outfit with geometric prints helping her to take home first prize for the Fashion Challenge. Beating other aspiring designers and out-of-province students, Ganas was visibly overwhelmed by her win.
“I wanted to do something trendy and high fashion and used the diamond shape as my inspiration.”
Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award:
1. Leona Magdelene Pillay (DUT; model – Mahlatse)
2. Shéskia Aprakshya Ramnath (DUT; model – Saskia)
3. Athenkosi Mfungula (Pietermaritzburg School of Fashion Design; model – Mbiyashe)
Vodacom Durban July Fashion Challenge Award:
1. Kimosha Ganas (model – Alex)
2. Mbaliyethu Zulu (model – Leah)
3. Clara Vach (model – Tyler) — Tiso Black Star Group Digital
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