Issued by Hollywood Foundation
The semi-finals of the Hollywoodbets Durban Julu Young Fashion Designer Award took place at Durban’s Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on Saturday, 6 June, narrowing the field from 25 aspiring fashion designers down to 10.
This year’s event, themed ‘Country Allure’, beautifully merged the realms of fashion with horse racing, providing an ideal setting for South Africa’s emerging design talent to showcase their skills.
Sibu Msimang, a distinguished designer and judge of the competition, told the Hollywoodbets team that the process of selecting the final top 10 from the 25 semi-finalists was particularly difficult due to the exceptional quality of work displayed.
“I was incredibly impressed by the designers, some of whom had very interesting and unique interpretations of the theme. We saw exceptional garments, and I was particularly impressed by how they translated their concepts and storyboards into finished creations,” Msimang said. “Very well done to both the students and their lecturers. Unfortunately, not everyone could progress to the next round. For those who did not make it through, there is still an opportunity on race day, and this certainly does not mean you should give up,” Msimang concluded.
For Umgungundlovu TVET College, the judging represented a notably proud occasion, as four students achieved positions in the prestigious Top 10 – a first for any educational institution.
“It’s a feather in our cap. Our continued participation in the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Awards is something we strongly encourage and embrace at our institution for many reasons,” said Martin Steenkamp, Head Lecturer in Fashion and Textiles at Umgungundlovu TVET College.
“This platform broadens our students’ horizons and exposes them to the culture of the fashion industry, from established invited designers to fellow creatives. We are incredibly proud of our students. To have four in the Top 10 is truly remarkable. We had eight students in the Top 25, but achieving four places in the final Top 10 is a real feather in our cap.”
Steenkamp stated that the accomplishment signifies numerous hours dedicated to research, planning, and creative exploration aimed at unravelling the various aspects of this year’s theme. The students engaged in an in-depth examination of the concept, delving into topics such as grassroots influences, heritage, language, religion, culture, and landscapes. He clarified that the outcome of their efforts is distinctly evident in the garments they created.
Nonhlanhla Khumalo, a judge for Young Designer and the programme manager for the Durban Fashion Fair under the eThekwini municipality, reminded the participants that advancing from the top 25 to the top 10 is part of a much larger journey within the fashion industry.
“The level of work that the designers have put into their creations is truly amazing. Some explored cowhide, others incorporated African-inspired tassels, and the combination of influences came together beautifully. As judges, it certainly made our job difficult, but in the best possible way. To those who did not make it through, well done on what you achieved,” she said.
Fellow judge and renowned designer Kathrin Kidger expressed similar sentiments, noting her surprise at the high quality of the work and the designers’ comprehension of this year’s sub-themes.
“The hardest lesson for those who did not progress is understanding that this is part of the journey. While winning is important, every round provides an opportunity to affirm your brand, refine your identity, and grow as a designer,” she said.
All the fashion pillars of the Hollywoodbets Durban July Preview Fashion Gala will converge on 29 June when all stakeholders – the Hollywoodbets Designer Showcase, the Durban Fashion Fair, the DFF Rising Stars Collection and the Young Designer Award – show off their creations in an explosion of creativity, innovation and style.
The 10 finalists in the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Award:
• Lungelo Cele (Esayidi Fashion School) with design modelled by Sinelizwe Madikizela
• Siphelele Ngcobo (Umgungundlovu TVET) modelled by Amukelani Majola
• Thato Selekane (DUT) modelled by Sinejabulo Magubane
• Dalisu Vumase (iGoda Incubator), modelled by Angelique Mukendi
• Kiyaan Pillay (PMB School of Fashion) modelled by Madison Houghting / Tyla Gunther
• Dumile Shozi (iGoda Incubator) modelled by Asande Ntombela
• Aphiwe Dlamini (Umgungundlovu TVET) modelled by Ayanda Thusi
• Mandisa Matsinye (Umgungundlovu TVET) modelled by Wendy Dladla
• Nomfundo Mdlalose (Umgungundlovu TVET) modelled by Nompilo Mkhize
• Mlungisi Ndlovu (DUT) modelled by Sinegugu Mabizela
