DFF Mentors Young Designer Hopefuls

The Durban Fashion Fair (DFF) Mentorship Programme is gathering momentum as 21 young designers (from around the eThekwini Municipality) strive to learn all they can about the world of fashion. 

The DFF is a proudly eThekwini Municipality initiative developed to grow the fashion industry in the city and to create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. Scores of young designers put their names forward in November last year and 21 were chosen to take part in the programme. This includes working closely with some of the city’s top fashion gurus as well as their fellow designers.

The interns, who range in age from 23 to 35, are all currently working in the fashion industry. Selection was based on three pillars – creativity (which was judged on story boards), garment construction as well as business acumen (a traceable client base, business plan and business skills).

All the interns from this year will also see their work on the ramp at the Durban Fashion Fair later this year as well as some of them will be showcasing for the first time to the city’s fashionistas as well as buyers, suppliers and industry leaders and media all under one roof. According to Sindi Shangase, the Programme Manager for the Business Support Tourism and Markets Unit who has driven the DFF since inception in 2012, the mentorship programme is intended to train enterprising young designers in all aspects of the fashion business and prepare them and their collections for the DFF.

Programme mentors are G & D Apparel’s, Greg Wallis and respected Durban based designer, Terrence Bray. Bray will assist with orientation, choice of textiles, collection design and styling amongst other clothing related matters. Wallis will not only guide interns on orientation and textile selection but provide valuable information on manufacturing, brand management, costing and entering the world of retail. Guest lecturers from the industry will be invited to take turns in assisting in the development of these mentees.

The current interns are provided with different design briefs and assignments each week. They work in teams, selecting a team leader and critting each other’s work. They are also taught to build collections from start to finish. Additional modules will show these aspiring designers how to run their own successful businesses. When the programme concludes, one of these intern designers will receive a recognition award during the Durban Fashion Fair Awards on Saturday, September 3rd at the Inkosi Chief Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.

Over and above the mentorship programme, Woolworths South Africa have also come on board as a sponsor and will be providing the mentees with an additional challenge to form part of their curriculum. Winners of this particular challenge will be announced on Saturday, September 3rd at the Durban Fashion Fair Recognition Awards event.

The DFF will include 16 shows that will take place at the Durban Exhibition Centre from Wednesday, August 31st to Friday, September 2nd.

Tickets will be on sale at Computicket from Monday, August 1st. Prices range from R100 per person per show with students at R50 per student per show. Prices for the Awards show will cost R200 per person and students R100 per person.

Events: 2015 Durban Fashion Fair at the Suncoast Towers

Lungani Nkonyeni, Pearl Thusi, Kathrin Kidger and Terence Pillay

Everyone should be proud to wear something designed in Durban, Deputy Mayor, Councillor Nomvuzo Shabalala, told the vibrant gathering that was toasting the official launch of the Durban Fashion Fair (DFF) 2015 at the Suncoast Towers.

Big names in fashion, socialites and fashionistas, politicians, up and coming local designers who have benefitted from previous DFF's and Durban's glitterati all featured on the city's guest list.

The glitz and glamour was a perfect accessory to a vibrant fashion show featuring the creations of some of the city's finest designers that was introduced by synchronised swimmers.

Models wearing Dax Martin swimwear - Image Credit: Kevin Simuphiwe

Words of wisdom and encouragement were given from Zama Mathe the creator of Zarth Designs, as well as the PR Manager for Woolworths, Noni Gaza, local footwear designer, Reggie Xaba and lastly the DFF programme manager, Sindi Shangase. Actress, model and bubbly master of ceremonies, Pearl Thusi, set the scene for the upcoming four day event and an amazing mentorship for 10 new, emerging local designers who can expect a trip to Durban's sister city, Milan.

Noni Gaza, Njabulo Mthethwa and Pearl Thusi 

The Durban Fashion Fair will take place on the SUNdeck at Suncoast between August 26 and 29. Tickets available at Computicket from July 24.

For more information visit www.durbanfashionfair.com

Streamlining For The Ramp

Sanele Ngongoma, Xola Ndlovu, Lindo Ntuli, Thando Duma, Phakamani Khumalo, Sbongiseni Mngoma

In the next couple of weeks, the iconic Durban Fashion Fair (DFF), brought to you by the eThekwini Municipality, will be taking place from August 26-29 hosted on the SUNdeck at Suncoast.

Now in its 4th year, this fashion extravaganza boasts an array of international, national and emerging designers showcasing their creations on the catwalk and has thus become a highlight on the fashion calendar.

Not only has the eThekwini Municipality firmly backed the designers, the City has also created another platform for new faces/models, which were recently scouted within the eThekwini area.

Sbongiseni Mngoma, Khwezi Hlatshwayo, Sanele Ngongoma, Zinhle Khoza, Phakamani Khumalo, Zandile Chamane

Out of thousands who casted, only twenty were selected to participate in a "model boot camp" - the ultimate model training workshop. The aim of this workshop is to train aspiring models in all aspects of modelling including techniques on how to walk on the runway alongside professional models, etiquette at photographic sessions to ways of keeping fit and healthy, focusing on functional training that incorporates  strength training, body weights and aerobics three times a week for the next six weeks.

Trainers are -Lunga Wanda, Kerry-Lee Harrington and Washington Mngomezulu surrounded by aspiring models

"As each year passes, the Durban Fashion Fair has grown from strength to strength, incorporating the various programmes that the eThekwini Municipality has put in place, from internships, designer workshops and now model boot-camps," said Sindi Shangase the Business Support, Tourism and Markets Unit Programme Manager who spearheads the annual Durban Fashion Fair.

"There is so much talent on our doorstep from designers to new faces, and I believe it is up to us and the team behind the Durban Fashion Fair to offer these platforms and provide opportunities relating to the fashion industry and this project is another such platform," she added.

DFF is one of the most successful fashion programmes in the country which integrates fashion development, together with exhibitions, fashion shows over four days and continues to capacitate, empower and encourage the culture of entrepreneurship as well as facilitate access to markets and networking opportunities for established and local young designers.

Members of the public can catch all the latest trends, fashion from all the local, national and international designers, or visit the exhibition pop-up shops, which are free to the public to attend. Tickets for the shows open at Computicket from July 24.

For more information go to www.facebook.com/DurbanFashionFair or visit www.durbanfashionfair.com