This year’s eagerly anticipated Durban Fashion Fair (DFF) – an iconic fashion event that continues to grow in stature every year – will again bring plenty of bling and glitter to the Durban ICC in September.

Between September 25 and 28, top designers from across the African continent, evolving new talents and stakeholders across the fashion value chain will again come together to not only celebrate the fascination of fashion but also to introduce newcomers to an industry that could prove central to fast tracking industrialisation and boosting the city’s economy.

According to Sindi Shangase, the Programme Manager for the Business Support Tourism & Markets Unit, who has both conceptualised and built the DFF into a national fashion event over the past nine years, the 2019 theme “Evolution is Elementary” provides plenty of inspiration for the creatives at this year’s DFF.

The 2018 winner of two awards – Fashion Innovator & Next Generation Emerging Designer – Martin John

“Whether you’re wearing gold silk thread garments or your home has chrome-plated finishes, metals are intrinsically linked to our everyday lives. But metals are so much more than what we see as the final product. In South Africa, metal mining, especially gold and platinum mining is intricately linked to the history and growth of the country. This year’s theme highlights the contribution of metals, and the South African metal mining industry in particular, to the world of fashion both locally and abroad,” she explains.

Shangase notes that metals are part of everyone’s daily lives and are an intricate part of the fashion world.

“Gold is not just a metal but also a colour that has influenced trends throughout the ages. South Africa’s metals – and gold in particular – have played an important role in growing the economy and contributed to the fashion industry as they are formed into beautiful jewellery that makes its way on to fashion runways around the world. As this year’s theme celebrates the fusion of fashion and metals, we are interested to see how designers will interpret it and express it through their creations,” she continues.

The close association between the world of fashion and the economy stretches still further as the DFF is an integral part of the broader 2019 Durban Business Fair.

This premier business gathering, proudly hosted by eThekwini Municipality through the Business Support, Tourism and Markets Unit, has reflected local government’s commitment to boosting business growth for more than 21 years.

Since it was launched as the SMME Fair with just under 100 participants, it has grown to a major event on the business calendar and features over 600 successful enterprises across diverse sectors. It is an important platform for businesses to access new markets, acquire much needed information and forge business linkages that translate into sustainable growth.

This year’s overall theme – Journey of Innovation – will resonate with those in the broader clothing and textile sectors as well as those who design the unique garments that will be showcased on the DFF ramp.

Designers showcasing are as follows:
Wednesday, Sept 25
(18:30) KNS Tailors / Zamaswazi Inventive Fashion / Vyagor Louvre / Clemas Couture
(19:30) Tribal Skin / LeMFUX / Nguni Shades
(20:30) Lutuleigh / Martin Kadinda (MK) / Duke “Clothe Your Soul”
(21:30) Martin John / Samma Collections / House of Saint Luke

Thursday, Sept 26
(18:00) DFF 2019 MENTEES – Bongie Funeka / Bongiwe Buthelezi / Makhosi Ntshangase / Nomthandazo Gasa / Nozipho Lungile Msomi / Phumelele Khumalo / Sizwe Mncube / Sizwe Msomi / Sphindle Radebe / Zanele Cele
(19:00) Mo’ Creations & Couture / Cherish by Carita Adams / KARENMONKKLIJNSTRA
(20:00) Eve-O Designs by Yvette Ndaba / Jacqui Emmanuel & Neil Ramautar (Jacqui & Neil) / Indoni Fashion House
(21:00) Lt Peculiar Couture / Mita-N Dzyns / Zaviar Fashions
(22:00) Treasure Cindi / Melinda Corrine / Zarth Designs

Friday, Sept 27
(18:00) EMERGING DESIGNERS – Ande Gibixego / Cari St Quentin / Kazadi Wilson Mukeya / Mnotho Ngema / Nosipho Ntuli / Sicelinhlahla Gift Ngcobo / Thabiso Mdanda / Zamabhele Ntshangase
(19:00) Leigh Schubert / S.P.C.C (Sergeant Pepper Clothing Company) / Amanda Laird Cherry (ALC)
(20:00) Azee Tanzi / Modesta / CHULAAP
(21:00) PALSE / Hombré / Kireshen Chetty
(22:00) Eullue / Quiteria / Diva Designs by Brenda Quin

Saturday, Sept 28
(19:00) EYC Couture / OHSIXTY6/ SaTeTaH Collection / DFF Recognition Awards

At 9am on Friday, September 27 at the DEC Hall, TV & Radio personality, Selby “Selbeyonce” Mkhize, will facilitate an informative and interactive panel discussion around the subject of building a fashion brand / business through digital and social media. Admission is free! Leaders within the industry will form part of the panel, and will also field questions from the audience.

As in previous years, the DFF 2019 will culminate in the Durban Fashion Fair Recognition Awards on the evening of Saturday, September 28. These awards have become extremely sought after and include the Best Ladieswear & Menswear Collection, Exhibitor of the Week, Fashion Innovator and the Collection of the Week.

Guests can also look forward to the Fashion Business Award, the DFF New Faces Model Awards, the Best African Female & Male Designer Collection Award and the prestigious Durban Designer of the Year Award.

Next Generation Emerging Designer Award for three rising stars – our top three 2019 mentees – will also be revealed.

Tickets for all evenings and events have just gone on sale via webtickets.co.za or at Pick ‘n Pay outlets. They are priced at R100 per person per show. Students will pay just R50 per show. Tickets for the Awards Evening – at R200 per person – are also on sale. There will also be limited tickets sold at the door!

Follow all the fashion action at our DFF Facebook page: Durban Fashion Fair or on Twitter / Instagram @Dbnfashion_fair or #DFF2019 / #madeindurban / #supportlocal

See you beside this year’s DFF catwalk!