FRowing At The Durban Fashion Fair

Durban Fashion Fair 2014

Glitz and glamour, fashionistas, international fashion designers, together with South Africa’s established and emerging designers, African models, stylists, make-up artists and the who’s who of the fashion industry will get together when eThekwini Municipality hosts the 3rd annual Durban Fashion Fair (DFF) taking place at the Durban ICC from the 21 - 24 August 2014.

The DFF is one of the most successful fashion programmes in the country which integrates fashion development, together with exhibitions, 16 fashion shows and continues to capacitate, empower, encourage the culture of entrepreneurship as well as facilitate access to markets and networking opportunities for established and local young designers.

Since the inception of the DFF, the City of Durban has sent a group of designers on an internship programme in Milan – the fashion capital of the world - and has produced over 100 successful young designers who continue to make an impressive mark in the fashion industry. The programme has produced a number of success stories, like uKujula, a self-taught designer who has built a reputable brand and now owns his own multiple fashion outlets. Another successful product of this programme Zama Mathe – aka ZARTH – has made a remarkable mark in the fashion industry and enjoys the support of many leading personalities in the country.

“The fashion industry is one of the major contributors to South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and it continues to face challenges that require collective collaboration to make it a success. It is in the City’s interest to make this industry successful and sustainable. The City has invested over R 10 million into the fashion development initiatives and programmes that include business management training, fashion shows, mentorship and international fashion internship. It is the City’s role to provide a conducive and an enabling environment for our designers whilst through Durban Fashion Fair, we continue to provide opportunities to access markets, including exploring physical and online shopping platforms.” said Mayor Councillor James Nxumalo.

The DFF programme has a number of initiatives that focus on developing a sustainable fashion industry in the City. Sixteen (16) models that have been casted around the City will walk the DFF runway for the first time as they represent new faces of the DFF 2014. This is one of the notable contributions that the Fair aims to promote in order to educate our community about fashion and its impact. This is complemented by activations at various shopping malls around the City.

“Our young designers have now been exposed to different levels of the value chain within the fashion and textile industry. It is in our interest to ensure that young designers get adequate exposure, training and development so that we can build a sustainable fashion industry. Our programme has ensured that emerging designers gain invaluable exposure to global fashion trends through workshops, attend international fashion shows and visit various fashion studios,” said Sindi Shangase, DFF Programme Manager within the Business Support, Tourism and Market Unit.

DFF Designers

South Africa’s established designers such as Terrence Bray, Thula Sindi, Colleen Eitsen, Kathrin Kidger, Karen Monk-Klijnstra, Pulse, Amos EDC, Brenda, Quin, Dax Martin and CSquared, will share runway with international designers such as Abrantie - The Gentleman, She by Bena, Shadow strap Rebelious Klothing, Chairty Nyirongo, Clemas and Massimo Crivelli who was the guest international designer for 2012. The Fair will also showcase 10 emerging designers including Nguni Shades, St Luke, Sibu Msimang, Zarth, Black Pepper, Tribal Skin, Alfalfa and Duke to mention but a few.

DFF Show Schedule

Pop Up Shops

One of the most notable features of the Durban Fashion Fair are Pop Up Shops with over 50 exhibitors showcasing their products at the Durban ICC from Thursday, 22 - 24 August 2014. Access to the Pop Up Shops is free to the public. Pop Up Shops will open daily from 10:00 to 16:00.

Tickets to the show will be available from Computicket. Entry to the Pop Up Shops and Industry workshops is free. 

Gateway to Host Hollywood Glamour Inspired Vodacom Durban July Preview Fashion Show

It will be lights, camera and action when Gateway hosts the sixth instalment of their Vodacom Durban July Preview Fashion Show on the 4^th of July at the Wave House in Durban.

Gateway’s interpretation of the 2014 Durban July theme, The Big Screen, is the influence that fashion has had in film, depicted by classic actresses and actors through the ages. Think Sofia Loren, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn as well as Brooke Shields.

Classic concept pieces presented in a contemporary context, edgy, timeless and elegant is what the internationally recognized and award winning fashion designers will be showcasing on the fashion ramp. Globe trotters, David Tlale, Palse Homme, Zama Mathe and Terrence Bray are just some of the designers that will be taking part in this year’s fashion extravaganza.

Jeremy Loops

Terrence Bray

5FM and Roger Goode fans can look forward to the live broadcast of The Roger Goode show from the Wave House from 4pm. The Ultimix at 6 will be performed live on stage.

Enormously successful and influential club and dance DJ’s, Fresh and Euphonik along with jazzy and groovy duo, The Kiffness will please the crowd during the concert which will take place directly after the fashion show. The line-up would not be complete without the very popular modern folk artist, Jeremy Loops.

Gateway VIP members are invited to take advantage of the services of a specially recruited personal stylist during the promotional period. Sessions are limited, make sure to book early. VIP members can book their session by simply burning points and selecting a time slot.

Look out for Gateway Theatre of Shopping on Facebook and Twitter. 

@GatewayUmhlanga

https://www.facebook.com/GatewayVIP

The Epic Funsunzi Beach Festival

Durban is most definitely the place to be during festive season. With warm weather and vibey atmosphere, its hartd not to love this city.
Maynards in association with Durban's number 1 radio station East Coast Radio have come up with a way to make this summer even more fun and juicy. They're doing this through one of the coolest beach festivals.The Funsunzi Beach Festival, this is just a way to make a juicy summer even juicer with the kaboom type of burst from the wide selection of Maynards and out of this world entertainment from some of the best radio DJs from East Coast Radio.

The Funsunzi Beach Festival began on the 19th in Margate then moved to Suncoast Beach on the 21st with breakfast show radio DJ Darren Maul. Today they've taken the kaboom juiceness to the last stop which is the Willard Beach in Ballito.
The festival is a perfect place for families to come have fun from splashes in Maynard pools, to all sorts of games burtsing with flavor.

If you're in Ballito its not too late to catch the Funsunzi Beach Festival, since tomorrow, the 24th of December Maynards and East Coast Radio will still be bringing you the juiciest summer fun.
If you thought this was gonna be a bland summer you just got a major kaboom burst of juicy Maynards all over your face. And there's more than just edible candy, there's a lot more eye candy.

Tea with Siya Ntini: Introductions x RALFE ATOX

Over the week I got to sit down and have a cup of wine  tea, with the talented, young man who's planning on taking the fashion industry by storm in South Africa. Here's my chat with Siya Ntini the brain and creative behind the brand RALFE ATOX

Q: At most I'm always doing the talking (which I do enjoy) but I would prefer that you tell us who is Siyabonga Ntini and what is he about?

Siyabonga Ntini is a weird looking boy, all about fashion, all about art and design. Passionate towards anything with a strong story line. I believe everything has a reason. There's a reason you have tucks on a dress. What is it?... I'm that type of person. Always have questions. On a more biographical manner I was born in JHB by my parents who are from DBN and you know how back then (20 years ago or so) everyone moved to JHB for a better life. I mean even now people still do. I chose to come back here because I believe I was born here by spirit and I'm all about DURBAN. I LOVE IT!!

Q: Today we're looking at introductions in all levels. Without any modesty can you introduce us to the fashion house Ralfe (ATOX)?

RALFE is my late father's name and in short the label is for women designed in an avant garde taste and aims at Ready To Wear. ATOX is a design chart I created for my self that acts as a secondary logo for anything I do. A is a triangle which could easily mean controversy. My design attitude is all about people reacting to the clothes emotionally. Either love or hate. It's emotional and personal to me and I want that to show. T is stylized as a crucifix which stands for Religion. I'm very pro-religion and you'll soon learn how I abuse that element of me in my design language. O is void of any references. Timeless, modern and now. X is the art element I always apply.
That mostly tells you about my label in short and many people might not pay attention to the ALF embedded in it but it plays a huge role and it's one of the things people will learn about pretty soon.

Q: I was lucky enough to be one of the people who were in attendance for your debut showcase. We saw that your collection had some of the most eclectic fabric pairing. What was the inspiration behind the whole collection?

Haha I like the part where everything sounds so exclusive. Yeah, uhm the collection is called Sublime Aftermath and I kinda shifted my mindset back to the tender age of six when I first learnt my dad had passed on. The first thing I was told by my mother was "Your father has been fetched by angels to go live in heaven..." that still stings even now but I just wanted to highlight the emotion I had then and what death meant to the six year old Siya and how I had the idea that he'd be dressed in white and bless me with wealth and he sacrificed himself to look after me in at a better place hence I used White, Gold and Red. We all want success. What's better than White and Gold? That's heaven right there. Carved and stitched on a woman. Wearing heaven should feel good. So that's where I saw it go.

Q: Still on introductions. Who is the Ralfe ATOX girl? What's her taste in fashion? What's her attitude like?

She's a mean girl. Chameleon, probably has split personalities and always has red lipstick on. In essence she's a rebelle stuck in a princess's body.

Q: Now we wouldn't really be done talking until we actually spill some tea. What is it that you believe South African fashion designers are doing wrong and is becoming an impede on their way to gaining international recognition?

Personally I think design and research go hand in hand. As much as following trends can make you look like everyone, starting and interpreting them in a personal level will always make you unique.designers tend to go crazy and forget that fashion is a calculated scientific industry. It is not always spontaneous. Think, design, re-create and brand yourself. Signature is also important and lastly perfect your craft. As beaux your stuff may be if it doesn't meet international standards then boooosh. There goes the life of London to New York.

Q: How do you plan to bring that sense of freshness, futuristic and currency with Ralfe ATOX?

With me future comes last in design. I'm all about now, past and emotion. Sometimes relevant clothing that hits someone's nerve either good, bad or uncomfortable makes the impression last longer. Fresh is dependant on trends and personal mind space. That's just me saying I'll depend on me and my art, and research. Everything follows.


Q: 2014 is literally on our doorsteps. What are some of your goals so far?

Let's say I have plans but I ain't sharing but I just wanna see my label grow into something people identify as beautiful and niche appropriate clothing. I don't plan on doing men's wear under RALFE but anything happens. All I say is pay attention to the ALF... 
Sometimes dreams come true but most times we wake up only realizing you were dreaming all this time instead of doing. They say dreams do come true. Only if you wake up. Guess who's not sleeping 2014?... (sips tea)
#RALFE 

Twitter : @OhSnap_Its_Siya
Instagram : @So_Ralfe

Here you have it boys and girls signed, sealed and delivered. Now you know who to look out for in 2014. 

Do drop a comment right here on the comment box tell us what is it that has got you excited for 2014? Also follow on Twitter/Instagram : @KingElihleLee