Hollywoodbets Durban July: ‘Ride the Wave’ of fabulous fashion and win big at the races

Over the years, the fashion fanfare at the annual Hollywoodbets Durban July has evolved into a high-stakes event in its own right, with fashionistas vying for the top honours in the hotly contested Raceday Fashion Awards.

The raceday fashion competitions are known to attract huge interest with hundreds of hopeful race-goers and designers channeling the Durban July’s chosen theme to walk away with big prizes from the event sponsors.

WATCH: ‘Ride the Wave’ Durban July inspiration

According to Gold Circle events and marketing executive Stephen Marshall, fashion is the “thread that brings the event together”, and this year’s theme – “Ride the Wave” – can be interpreted in many different ways, such as “waves of sound, emotion or colour”.

‘Explore textures and fabrics’

Durban’s own homegrown designer Kathrin Kidger offered the following advice for some “Ride the Wave” raceday dress-up inspiration.

“Explore textures and fabrics, think of billowing skirts that mimic the swell of the wave, or fluid form-fitting dresses that ripple like water in motion, fabrics must cascade like waterfalls and the ocean’s palette must inspire colours,” she said.

Krigler is one of the six top fashion designers who have been handpicked to participate in the Durban July Invited Designers Showcase with their “Ride the Wave”-inspired capsule collections.

ALSO READ: Hollywoodbets Durban July: Six fashion designers and their thoroughbred creations

Hollywoodbets Durban July Raceday Fashion Awards

Africa’s premier horse racing event has become synonymous with race-goers dressing up to the nines to show off their personalities with over-the-top outfits, hats and headpieces.

If you’re going to dabble in the Hollywoodbets Durban July dress-up race, why not go one step further and enter the #HDJ2024 Raceday Fashion Awards? Here are the categories…

Durban July 2024: Most Striking Couple

First Prize

• R5 000 Compliments of Gold Circle & Schweppes.
• R2 500 Gift Card from Gateway Theatre of Shopping.

Second Prize

• R3 000 Compliments of Gold Circle & Schweppes.

Third Prize

• R2 000 Compliments of Gold Circle & Schweppes.

Classic Racewear – Female

First Prize

• R5 000 Compliments of Gold Circle & Schweppes.
• R2 500 Gift Card from Gateway Theatre of Shopping.

Second Prize

• R3 000 Compliments of Gold Circle & Schweppes.

Third Prize

• R2 000 Compliments of Gold Circle & Schweppes.

Classic Racewear – Male

First Prize

• R5 000 Compliments of Gold Circle & Schweppes.
• R2 500 Gift Card from Gateway Theatre of Shopping.

Second Prize

• R3 000 Compliments of Gold Circle & Schweppes.

Third Prize

• R2 000 Compliments of Gold Circle & Schweppes.

ALSO READ: PICS: AFI’s Kgotsofalo Monyamate wins the Durban July 2023 Raceday Fashion Award

Exceptional Raceday Hat or Fascinator

First Prize

• R5 000 Compliments of Gold Circle & Schweppes.
• R2 500 Gift Card from Gateway Theatre of Shopping.

Second Prize

• R3 000 Compliments of Gold Circle & Schweppes.

Third Prize

• R2 000 Compliments of Gold Circle & Schweppes.

How to enter

Judging will begin at 12:00 near the Sonic Stage which is located in the Infield Marquee Village at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on Saturday 6 July. 

• The Hollywoodbets Durban July competitions are open to the public and entrants must have a valid raceday entrance ticket to enter.

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