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The Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award, open to students at design colleges and Technikons across KZN, is set to take flight in the first weekend of June.
The first round of judging, requiring contestants to present their outfits inspired by the raceday theme, ‘Birds of a Feather’, will take place at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on Monday, 7 June 2021. The judges will select around 20 semi-finalists to proceed to the next stage. This competition has discovered many designers familiar in South African couture circles.
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Along side presenting the Young Designer Award, Durban Fashion Fair will profile 8 up-and-coming, who will be tasked with creating pieces based on the ‘Birds of a Feather’ theme for the ‘DFF Rising Stars Collection’.
Finally, the Vodacom Durban July Invited Designer Showcase, often regarded as the highlight of the programme, will turn a light to 5 designers from across the country.
“Fashion is optimistic, uplifting and hopeful, and gives people something to look forward to and dream about. Beautiful clothing is a pick-me-up in tough times,” said Lara Klawikowski who rose to prominence in 2009, winning the Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award.
The 2021 Vodacom Durban July fashion programme will again be held behind closed doors to comply with lockdown regulations, building on the success of the adaptations in 2020.
Live video along with studio images will replace the traditional raceday competitions. Regardless of the state of lockdown through June and July, designers are determined to give the nation the sensory thrill needed in these hard times.