Olwethu Cele Is Making Moves As One Of The Faces of Durban Fashion Fair 2016

Olwethu Cele from Ice Model Management Durban is one of the faces of the Durban Fashion Fair 2016 ad campaign. He is an example of how an opportunity (he won the new face category at the DFF 2015 recognition awards) can build a career and create a role model for a whole community.

Although he is currently based in Durban, Cele comes from the small village of KwaNikhwe, which is close to Bizana near Port Edward. As the first model to come from this small town, he is looked up to by many of the younger members of the community.

Within a very short space of time, he has worked with a number of trend setting designers and fashion brands including House of Saint Luke by Mxolisi, Duke, Hombre’ by Vanessa Pillay, Terrence Bray and Palse. He has also showcased for Shaldon Kopman and African designer, Clement Effanga and has done shoots for The Hub and a number of stores in Botswana.

Buy your ticket now, to catch Cele on this year’s catwalk at Durban Fashion Fair. Ticket 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 at R100 per person. Tickets are available at Computicket.

2016 Metro FM Awards - Best Dressed Celebrities on the Black Carpet

Celebrities from all over South Africa and the rest of the continent came together the past weekend at the Inkosi Luthuli Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban, to celebrate crème de la crème of the music industry in South Africa.

See the pictures below of the best-dressed celebrities:

Amanda Du-Pont

Bonang

AKA

Boity

Pearl Modiadie

Durban Fashion Fair 2015 – Kathrin Kidger

Kathrin Kidger is an award winning women’s wear designer. Her Spring/Summer 2015 collection, which she showcased at Durban Fashion Fair, is titled ‘white mischief’. The collection is inspired to counteract the heat of Africa and create visions of coolness.

For Spring/Summer 2015 Kathrin Kidger combined white anglais, slinky power mesh, chiffon and lace to create a diverse mix of texturized designs in order to depict the African continent.

Her collection has a sports lux feel and is cool and sophisticated at the same time.

Image Credit: Simon Deiner / SDR Photo 

Haute Cuisine Meets Haute Couture at the Cargo Hold

uShaka Marine World’s Cargo Hold restaurant is sailing in the wake of restaurants and cafés in fashion capitals across Europe and not just pairing fine dining with fine wines but also fine fashion.

On Friday, September 25, the Cargo Hold on the Promenade, in collaboration with the KZN Fashion Council, Boschendal and Verve Water will serve up a feast of fashion from exciting Durban designers.

Between each course, collections from big names who have recently showcased at Africa Fashion Week London, SA Men’s Fashion Week and Durban Fashion Fair as well as exciting emerging talents such as Freddy Fashion Design, Hombre, Rooi Rok Bokkie, Zarth, Arabella couture and Mike Narainsamy will be showcased.

The culinary menu is just as spectacular. For starters, enjoy Langoustine and Salmon - Butter poached langoustine, salmon, lemon oil, spring onion chiffonade, mango cloud and pea puree then for the main, Beef Fillet Mignon – Balsamic poached pear, creamy gorgonzola, fondant potato and béarnaise sauce, finished off with a sweet treat, that of Chocolate, Caramel and Coffee Dessert – Coffee and chocolate soil, toffee almond crumb, caramel coconut mousse and espresso ice cream.

The breath taking stern of the Phantom Ship at uShaka Marine World is an unforgettable setting to present both designer clothing and present the finest of food. It is undoubtedly one of Durban's most spectacular culinary locations and recently enjoyed an exciting make over with the addition of new sea creatures to the fascinating marine showcases that give the restaurant its special ambience.

Join the Cargo Hold for a wonderful evening of wining, dining and glamour. Tickets cost R285 per person.

For more information, or to make a booking, contact the Cargo Hold on 031 328 8065/8066 or visit www.ushakamarineworld.co.za

Durban Fashion Fair 2015: Terrence Bray

Terrence Bray is an award-winning designer whom, specializes in ready-to-wear, couture, bridal, occasion wear and menswear. He is currently in Italy with the Durban Fashion Fair Mentees, as he is their mentor.

For Durban Fashion Fair 2015, the Terrence Bray collection was inspired by pollen, his allergies and the beauty of flowers throughout the stages of their lifecycle. The accent colour is a dirty Chartreuse (which is a ‘pollen’ colour) and then washed down water colour prints on a variety of fabrics (mostly cotton blends).

Terrence Bray is available at various stores, including Egalty, Calyx and Imbizo Gallery to name a few.

Image Credit: Simon Deiner / SDR Photo 

Durban Fashion Fair 2015: Amos

Amos is a high-end designer label, which specialises in ready to wear, couture and bridal wear.

For Durban Fashion Fair 2015, the key theme for the Amos collection was contrast. We saw hand knitted beanies being paired with eveningwear and sleeveless coats; sheer gold netting paired with knitted wool jackets. The combination gave the models an edgy look and it enhanced the female silhouette.

For the collection Amos used visible textures ranging from sheer netting and voil to upholstery material.There are two strong colour influences in the collection - darker colours like deep red, gold, black and citrine as well as subtle colours like white, cream and beige to compliment the floral evening looks.

The collection is feminine, wearable and sophisticated.

Hugo Amos Swanepoel is the designer and creative force behind the Amos brand

Durban Fashion Fair 2015: Life By Andre Martin

Life by Andre Martin was the dopest show at this year’s Durban Fashion Fair. This year Andre showcased an urban men’s collection, which we still can’t get over!  

Highlights from the show include:

The Life sound range

The white fashion trend (great for this season)

The Life racing range

The Black fashion trend (black always rule!)

Life Kids

According to Andre ‘Life the brand is similar to life the experience. It is a mixture of what we know and what we want to know. Life is changing and evolving daily. Our brand is a voice that says, be a misfit, be misguided, be crazy, be inspired, be yourself – whatever that means, but always be brave’. You can shop the Life by Andre Martin collection from Life stores, which are located at various shopping malls around Durban including Gateway, the Pavilion and Galleria.



Congratulations to Andre on showcasing such a great collection and for also receiving the well deserved Durban Fashion Legend Award!



Image Credit: Simon Deiner / SDR Photo 

Durban Fashion Fair 2015: Kat Shoesmith Designs

Kat Shoesmith, is the designer for KSD- Kat Shoesmith Designs. She participated in the DFF Mentorship Programme and is one of ten interns that were chosen to go to Milan for a two-month internship (Congratulations Kat!). Kat showed a ready-to-wear women’s wear collection at this year's Durban Fashion Fair.

Her collection was inspired by a quote from Edgar Allen Poe ‘We loved with a love that was more than love’. The range depicts a dark gothic romanticism and a desire, which she believes is within most women.

For the collection Kat focused on finding texture and tones within the basic black and shades of green fabrics. She has worked with a mixture of light and heavy weight woven materials to combine structured silhouettes with the softness and femininity of softer chiffons. The combination of texture and movement within the fabric gives this range a new level of aesthetic appeal.

Image Credit: Simon Deiner / SDR Photo 

5 Top Trends From Durban Fashion Fair 2015

Durban Fashion Fair is over and a week full of exciting shows and events went by. With their brand new collections, the designers had us in ‘awe’. Each of the designers had a unique point of view for their collections, which made each show interesting and great to watch.

The Swag Craze Team have spotted the following five biggest trends from Durban Fashion Fair:

Afrocentric

The Afrocentric trend is a key favorite for designers. The colours usually pop and the prints are bold. 

The following designers showcased the trend on the runway:  Bhekisisa Langa, Black Pepper, Abrantie The Gentleman, Clemas (Menswear); Ruutz, Afrolicious, Aimsworth Design, Mo’Creations & Couture, Ralfe (Women’s wear).

Monochrome

The simplicity of monochrome makes it a timeless classic, and once again it remained a key trend at Durban Fashion Fair.

The following designers showcased the trend on the runway: House of St Luke, Black Pepper, CSquared, Palse, Shadow by Sidumiso (Menswear); Tiba-Sheena, Zarth, Jamal Taslaq Couture, Thula Sindi, Shadow by Sidumiso (Women’s wear).

Soft Colours 

Soft tones remain in style and are always great for Spring/Summer collections. 

The following designers showed us how to wear this trend this season: CSquared, Viyella, Kuene,& Sons, Terrance Bray (Menswear); Ruutz, Bamboo Hill, Khanyi, Amos, Ralfe (Women’s wear).

Transparency

Transparency is a great trend for Spring/Summer. Designers showed see-through sleeves, skirts, shirts, etc.

The following designers showed us how to rock this trend: Lekonic, House of St Luke, Black Pepper (Menswear); Sanah Designs, Tiba-Sheena, Jamal Taslaq Couture, Nonkosi (Women’s wear).

White

White is a classic color that is always in style. 

The following designers showed us how to rock this trend: Viyella, Lekonic, Life by Andre Martin, Palse and Shadow by Sidumiso (Menswear); Zarth, Jamal Taslaq Couture, TDZ Designs, Kathrin Kidger (Women’s wear).

Image Credit: Simon Deiner / SDR Photo 

Durban Fashion Fair Dates and Schedule

Phumla Mtolo & Kristina Louw (DFF campaign models)

The Durban Fashion Fair (DFF) presented by the eThekwini Municipality - has evolved into the province’s premier annual fashion event with a number of exciting firsts this year.

For starters, because of the growing popularity of this event amongst both lovers of fashion and designers themselves, the Fair will take place over four days – from August 26th to August 29th as opposed to three days in the past. Secondly, the event will be held at an exciting new venue – the SUNdeck at Suncoast.

Then comes the inaugural Durban Fashion Awards, marking an appreciation of the incredible talent that has graced this year’s fashion extravaganza and helped take the DFF to a whole new level.

This year, the DFF will celebrate both new talent and established designers who have dedicated themselves to growing South Africa’s presence in the international fashion arena during this high profile event, which is by invitation only, scheduled for Saturday, August 29th.

Have a look at the dates and schedule for the premier event below:

Wed 26th August (Menswear)

6pm - Lekonic / House of St Luke

7pm - Mdu Steyela / Ephymol

8pm - Abrantie The Gentleman/ Palse Homme

9pm - Life by Andre Martin

10pm - Viyella/ Csquared

Thursday 27th August

5pm - DFF International Internship Collective

6pm - Shadow by Sidumiso/ Afrolucious /

7pm - UKHOZI FM PRESENTS:- Sibu Msimang/ Duke (Ukhozi)

8pm - Kathrin Kidger / Terrence Bray

9pm –Brenda Quin / Amos

10pm- Charity Nyirongo/ Wanita Ka Ngcobo / Zimhlope

Friday 28th August

5pm - Sheena Breetzke/ Sanah Designs / Black Pepper

6pm - DFF Next Generation - Mentorship Program

7pm - Colleen Eitzen / KMK

8pm - ZARTH/ Dax Martin

9pm - International Milan Designer - Jamal Taslaq Couture

10pm - Thula Sindi

Saturday 29th August

12 noon - Durban "Heel" Dash (Suncoast Promenade)

2: 30pm - DFF Next Generation - Mentorship Program

3:30pm - Zah Design/ House of Alfalfa/ Clemas

6pm - Durban Fashion Awards (By invite only)

Tickets available at Computicket and at the door!

 Also note, International Designer, Jamal Taslaq Couture from Rome will be showcasing his work on the South African ramp. Born in Palestine, Jamal moved to the romantic capital of Italy which became home to his sophisticated and elegant high fashion. Debuting on the runways of Alta Moda Roma, his creations are meticulous, lush and show a unique respect for the concept of beauty. His fashion blends together atmosphere, colours and emotions with the modern, dynamic and sophisticated taste of Italy, often inspired by the Italian Renaissance. Jamal has dressed international celebrities such as Sharon Stone, Ornella Muti, Marta Marzotto and the aristocracy of the Arab world, including Queen Ranya of Jordan.

Moving to the local scene, emerging designers who have returned from the DFF sponsored internship in Milan will share the ramp with the big names of both local and African fashion. Joining them will be a number of excited young designers who are competing for the privilege of heading to Milan at the end of 2015 to experience the exhilarating world of international fashion and style.

For more information visit www.durbanfashionfair.com