10 designers remain on course for the Durban July Young Designer Award

THE Hollywoodbets Durban July (HDJ) Young Designer Award’s Top 10 candidates are set to join the province’s top designers at the Preview Fashion Show. The top 10 were selected from the 25 semi-finalists at a semi-final showcase at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping on Wednesday evening. 

The preview show is the highlight of the month-long build-up to the fashion extravaganza at the Hollywoodbets Durban July. Student designers will show off their creations alongside the Durban Fashion Fair Rising Stars and the HDJ Invited Designers on June 23 at Gateway Theatre of Shopping.

Also read: 6 stars named for Hollywoodbets Durban July Invited Designer Showcase

The Young Designer Award Semi-Final Showcase, where the top 10 were announced, was an evening of high fashion that also included a Ready-to-Wear show. The crowd of fashionistas soaked up the creative interpretations of the theme and the intricate construction of their eye-catching race-day ensembles.

The semi-finalists, who were selected from over 100 entrants on June 6, paraded their race-day designs inspired by this year’s ‘Out of this World’ theme, while the judges had the tough task of selecting just the 10, who now face a tense but busy two-week wait before the top three are named on July 1.

One of the judges was former Bafana Bafana captain Teko Modise, who is also a Hollywoodbets Brand Ambassador. 

“It was very interesting for me to look at the garments and how the designers play with the materials,  and the thought process behind their creativity. For me, it is very refreshing and interesting,” said the two-time South African Footballer of the Year. 

Also read: DUT student named in top 10 for Young Designer Award

Sibu Msimang, who was also one of the judges, and HDJ said the student designers’ work was impressive.

“I was in their shoes a couple of years ago, and the quality and the workmanship was just amazing. I think the theme is very broad, so it allows them to go wild, and I think they all did very well – but there were four or five that really stood out for me,” she said.

The student finalists are vying for a share of R100 000 worth of bursaries from the Hollywood Foundation for the top three students, as well as other valuable prizes from Gold Circle, Schweppes, Gateway Theatre of Shopping and SA Fashion Week. 

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