Fashion fit for the Captain’s table

FASHION is the name of the game as all experienced, aspiring local as well as out-of-province fashion designers, get ready to take on the Vodacom Durban July Fashion Challenge, the biggest horseracing and fashion event in the country.

But it won’t be all smooth sailing for the aspiring designers as they race to create a unique and elegant race day ensemble that fits this year’s stylish fashion theme, The Captains Table.

A fashion theme steeped in naval history, The Captain’s Table calls on some considerable research from the Fashion Challenge entrants.

“With any fashion competition it’s so important for entrants to study the theme,” advises Tiffany Prior, fashion programme director of the Vodacom Durban July.

“The 2015 Vodacom Durban July fashion theme is not about dressing nautically, but requires some deep delving into the history of what it means to be invited to the Captain’s Table.

“They need to travel back to the early 1920s when people started cruising and were invited to dine with the captain. There were never more than twelve people at his table and the chosen few were always the most stylish, elegant and eloquent guests on the ship,” said Prior.

Competition designs should speak to an era of style and sophistication, and should encompass the Vodacom Durban July’s overall spirit of on-trend, elegant and beautifully executed designs. Judges will also be looking at all aspects of the outfit including hat, accessories, shoes and overall grooming.

The competition will be initially judged from storyboards that must reflect as much detail as possible of the proposed design and the creative motivation behind it. Storyboards with a fully completed entry form must reach the judges’ office at 42 Lennox Road, Greyville, Durban, by no later than 4pm on 12 May.

Prior does leave entrants with a mini hint though. “Read up on what was shown at the September and March fashion weeks,” she said.

Most importantly, entrants must swim a little deeper with their designs and avoid the obvious choice of designing to a nautical theme. After all, you aren’t going to arrive for a grand meal at the esteemed Captain’s table looking like a sailor.

More information and entry form downloads can be found at https://vodacomdurbanjuly.co.za/fcabout.html