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.
