For four days, the Durban ICC and surrounds will be transformed into a fashion extravaganza as some of the city’s hottest designers celebrate the reawakening of the creative industry and the realization of the arts as a lucrative business opportunity.

Tickets to the various showings by both local fashion talents and invited designers from throughout the African continent will go on sale from today.

Themed the Dawn of the Arts, the Durban Fashion Fair 2017 presented by the eThekwini Municipality will be spread over three days – from August 23rd to 25th and wrapping up with the Recognition awards on Aug 26th.

Showcasing on Wednesday, August 23rd at 18.00pm will be Azola Tanzi (Azee Tanzi), Martin John Steenkamp (Martin John), Narcissi Madisha (Kameo Kids), Ceri Williams (Evaelathil Designs) and Zimbili Shezi (ZimbyLees Apparel). They will be followed by the 2017 Mentorship Programme designers: Athenkosi Mfungula; Bongekile Sondezi; Casey Hutchinson; Cheryl Jafta; Claudia Novuka; Leona Pillay; Nishthi Sewnath; Nivadni Sewnath; Ntokozo Buthelezi and Wanda Majubana at 19.30pm with invited designers Eulender Cele & Samuel Mosala (Eullue), Thokozani Mbatha (Black Pepper) and Sandile Duke Mngadi (Duke “Clothe Your Soul”) taking to the ramp at 20.30pm.

Our invited African designers for the evening will be Clement Effanga (Clemas Couture), SidumisoTshuma (Shadow by Sidumiso) and Yolanda Ngwenya (Bakhar) at 21.30. The evening will culminate in a Markham retail collection showing at 22.30pm.

On Thursday, August 24th, the DFF will begin slightly earlier with emerging designers Kwenzi Nkomo (Indoni Fashion House), Treasure Cindi and Melinda Corrine (Noice) exhibiting their collections from 17.30pm. Next on the ramp will be Muzi Innocent Mlambo (Mita-N Dzyns), Zama Gumede (ZAVIAR Fashions) and Eli Ball (Eli Ball Made in Africa) at 18.30pm.

Invited designers Quiteria Lebohang Kekana and George Malelu (Quiteria and George) and Amanda Laird Cherry will showcase their creations at 19.30pm. African invited designers Charity Nyirongo (Mo’ Creations & Couture), Rodrigue Tchatcho (Rodrig Couture) and Samuel Owusu (Quame Owusu) will be up next at 20.30pm.

Invited Designer Sandile Mlambo (House of Alfalfa) will host his show, off site, at 82 Hunter Street (behind the ICC) at 21:30pm.

During the day on Friday, August 25th between 9.30am and 12 noon within Hall 5 at the ICC, there will be a panel discussion taking place whereby leading industry players within the fashion related industry will discuss various topics relating to the “Business of Fashion” – the panellists include: Linda Makanya (Creative Director & Head Designer for Linda Makhanya Tailored Suits); Paledi Segapo (Founder & Creative Director – PALSE); Noёl Paulson (General Manager Quality Assurance – EDCON); Lukas Nangolo (Junior Brand Manager – Markham); Masana Chikeka (Programme Manager: Design – Dept of Arts and Culture) and Drum Fashion editor, Peta-Lee Matjaola. It is free admission to attend the panel discussion! The facilitator for the discussion is Top Billing presenter Ayanda Thabethe.

After the discussion, it is back to the business of the fashion shows on Friday, August 25th, with invited designers Kireshen Chetty, Brenda Quin (Diva Designs) and Jacqui Emmanuel who will be dazzling the Durban audiences at 17.30pm. Vanessa Pillay (Hombre`), Mxolisi Luke Mkhize (House of Saint Luke) and emerging designer, Musawenkosi Sebeko (Afro Amanno) will follow at 18.30pm.

Invited designers Karen Monk-Klijnstra and Zama Mathe (Zarth) will wow our audience at 19.30pm and Paledi Segapo (PALSE) at 20.30pm. To wrap up the evening at 21.30pm, Kathrin Kidger and Terrence Bray will show what has made them household names in the Durban Fashion industry for decades.

The highlight of the Durban Fashion Fair 2017 will be the DFF Recognition Awards on Saturday, August 26. Starting at 7pm and hosted by Gagagsi FM on air personality Collen Zondo together with TV personality and Top Billing presenter, Ayanda Thabethe.

This fashion forward evening will feature live entertainment by Aewon Wolf, DJ Siyanda and a “downsized” version of the SAMA award-winning instrumental pop group, the Sterling EQ Duo (consisting of electric violin and cello, electric violin and flute, or electric cello and flute)

The DFF Recognition Awards will recognise the Durban Fashion Legend of the year, the Best Ladies’ Wear Collection, the Best Menswear Collection, the Next Generation/ Emerging Durban Designer of the year, the Fashion Innovator and the Collection of the Week. Three rising stars – our top three 2017 mentees – will also be identified.

Guests can also look forward to the presentation of the Fashion Business Award, the DFF New Face Award, the Best African Designer Collection Award and, last but not least, the Durban Designer of the Year Award.

Tickets are R100 per person per show with students (with a valid student card) paying R50 per show. There will be a 3 night show pass at R225 or the 5 night show pass at R350 a person. The DFF Recognition Awards show tickets are R250 per person.

25 years ago, Esther Mahlangu, a South African artist, was the first woman to create artwork on a BMW 525i Sedan. Its bodywork was adorned with the bright colors and unique ornamental shapes, typical of Ndebele art, thus turning it into a BMW Art Car. Esther Mahlangu has now, for the second time, joined forces with BMW and refined a BMW 7 Series. In collaboration with the BMW Individual Manufaktur, Mahlangu transformed a luxury sedan into a dynamic work of art by painting her characteristic motifs on the real wood interior trims.

Esther Mahlangu was born a member of the Ndebele tribe in 1935 in Middelburg, a small town in the north-eastern province of Mpumalanga. At the early age of 10, she began to paint under the guidance of her mother and grandmother.

Traditionally, Ndebele women decorate the exterior walls of houses with elaborately painted patterns and graphic elements, symbolising important events such as weddings or other celebrations, thus the walls are used as active communicative media within the community. Esther Mahlangu has separated these decorations and patterns from her people‘s traditional art of painting. In the form of pictures, vessels or carpets, she has constantly brought it into new contexts, thereby combining her artwork with items used in everyday life.

To facilitate this the specialists at BMW Individual Manufaktur oversaw the full manufacturing process. They developed a special white-colored fine-wood trim to be painted with Esther’s images before sealing them to ensure their longevity and installing them within the equally remarkable vehicle. The one-of-a-kind automobile will be shown to the public for the first time at this year’s Frieze Art Fair (5- 9 October) in Regent’s Park, London. The vehicle will be offered for silent auction. Proceeds from the sale of the vehicle will be donated to a good cause.

The 81-year-old artist said: “To paint is in my heart and it’s in my blood. The way I paint was taught to me by my mother and my grandmother. The images and colours have changed and I have painted on many different surfaces and objects but I still love to paint. The patterns I have used on the BMW parts marry tradition to the essence of BMW. When BMW sent me the panels to paint, I could see the design in my head and I just wanted to get started! I start by painting the small ones first to get the feel of the surface and then it was easy as the design follows the lines of the panels.

My art has taken me all over the world and I have seen many places, I have painted many walls and objects and my work is in many museums but I am still Esther Mahlangu from Mpumalanga in South Africa. My heart was full of joy when BMW asked me again to paint for them.”

Dr Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of the BMW AG, explained: “Within the framework of the long-term partnership with Frieze and Frieze Masters, we are combining our cultural engagement with BMW Individual for the very first time. I am delighted that we have been able to work again with Esther Mahlangu, an exceptional artist and someone I remember well from my time in South Africa. Together with experts from BMW Individual Manufaktur and BMW Group Design, Esther has created a unique work of art – a BMW Individual 7 Series that forms an extraordinary relationship between craftsmanship and Ndebele art.”

The BMW Individual 7 Series by Esther Mahlangu is a right-hand drive vehicle, boasting an array of equipment from the comprehensive BMW Individual Collection in addition to the unique features incorporated by the BMW Individual Manufaktur. 20-inch BMW Individual light alloy wheels in V-spoke styling 649 I underscore the elegant appearance of the BMW 7 Series while the exterior bodywork is coated in BMW Individual Pure metal Silver.

The interior features BMW Individual full fine-grain Merino leather in Smoke White/Black, the highest quality leather available for a BMW, including seats with weave-look stitching and hand-woven piping. The leather’s natural smoothness and its fine structure offers a unique look and feel. The full leather trim also includes the rear panelling of the seats, the upper and lower instrument panel as well as the door panels, including B pillars finished in fine-grain Merino leather. A BMW Individual leather steering wheel with applications in Piano finish Black and an Alcantara headliner in Smoke White complete the exclusive ambience of the interior.

American singer song writer lana del ray passionately sings “it’s you its all for you” on her song video games. An ode about the imperfections of love. One of those songs that makes you realise what love is about.

Take away all the external factors friends, family, opinion even marriage. When all you have left is those two individuals who’ve come together in the name of love. That’s all that matters. That other soul that you’ve decided to share life with. Your co dependent. Your other half becomes your oxygen.

Love is about you and i not them. You’ll be miserable like a twenty one year old adele and you’ll be happy like john legend in 2013. You’ll experience all the emotions possible. However it goes, the point is to choose love.