As excitement mounts for the semi-final judging round of the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Award scheduled for Saturday, South Africa’s up-and-coming fashion designers have showcased their innovative interpretations of the 2026 theme, Country Allure.
Unveiled earlier this year in March, Country Allure serves as the theme for Africa’s leading horse racing event – the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
On Friday, Hollywoodbets revealed in a press release that 25 semi-finalists were chosen from the initial round of judging held on Thursday, during which over 140 fashion design students from 10 colleges and private academies seized the chance to interpret the official Hollywoodbets Durban July theme into race-day attire.
The Hollywoodbets team expressed their excitement, announcing that the first round garnered entries that varied from glamorous and sophisticated race day ensembles to more extravagant presentations.
Certain elements exhibited distinct South African characteristics, such as fringing, shells, and beading, all drawing inspiration from the essence of Country Allure. This theme honours rustic elegance, natural beauty, the influences of our heritage, and modern glamour, as stated in the press release.
Vuyisile Ngobese, the marketing manager of the Hollywood Foundation and a judge for Young Designer, remarked that the quality of submissions was outstanding.
“When the theme was initially launched, a number of people said it was a tricky one and asked why we drew on an international Western concept like ‘Country.’ This said, I am happy to see that the lecturers were able to give instruction and direct the students in terms of how the theme can be unpacked from the perspective of being a South African and looking at different aspects that make our country alluring,” Ngobese told the Hollywoodbets Media Team.
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“We knew a number of students might borrow from previous themes. But the creations we saw today showed how students manipulated their fabric, and many even printed their own. We did see a lot of cowhide and cherry blossoms, but the students were very open-minded and put their own stamp on their creations,” Ngobese concluded.
Renowned South African fashion designer and judge Kathrin Kidger concurred with Ngobese’s views, affirming that this year has indeed seen significant improvement.
“I love the fact that they have gone deeper than surface motifs or themes and have produced garments that are way above standard. All of this leaves me super inspired,” Kidger said.
The 25 semi-finalists will showcase their creations during a second judging event at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on Saturday, where the selection will once again be refined to the top 10 finalists. Attendees at the course on Saturday for the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge will have the opportunity to admire these remarkable designs as they are presented on stage between the races, before the announcement of the final 10 at 5.35 pm, shortly after the main race.
In addition to the Hollywoodbets Durban July recently announcing a record-breaking R10 million stake for the 130th edition of Africa’s greatest horse racing event, there is also significant competition among aspiring student designers.
The designer who wins will be awarded R70 000 in bursary funding from the Hollywood Foundation, along with cash prizes from Race Coast and Schweppes, and a trip to SA Fashion Week in Johannesburg. The finalists who place second and third will receive Hollywood Foundation bursaries of R50 000 and R30 000, respectively, in addition to cash prizes.
