Immerse yourself in waves of creativity as we reveal the Hollywoodbets Durban July theme: “Ride the Wave!” From the luminous echoes of Light to the pulsating rhythms of Sound, the refreshing splashes of Water, and the rich tapestries of Cultural influences – get ready for an extraordinary celebration on July 6th, 2024. It’s your moment to craft your artistic marvels and make a splash at Africa’s greatest horseracing extravaganza!

Set against the backdrop of Durban’s warm Indian Ocean, with pulsating white-horse waves, KwaZulu-Natal fashion design college lecturers gathered at a stunning rooftop venue to hear – for the first time – the theme for the 2024 Hollywoodbets Durban July. This year’s theme ‘Ride the Wave’, was presented in a specially crafted video broadcast that was aired to a selection of top KZN fashion design lecturers, whose students will be competing for the 2024 HDJ Young Designer Award competition.

Just as the excitement increases in the run-up to July 6th and Durban’s iconic Hollywoodbets Durban July, so the poem begins: “A wave builds like the arched neck of a horse with a free-flowing mane.” Then it was the turn of well-known South African fashion designer and doyen of the industry, ‘Durban’s own homegrown talent’ Kathrin Kidger who took to the stage and provided further inspiration.

“Imagine if you will, the scene painted by the lines of this year’s inspiration. This imagery transports us to a realm where natures’ forces collide, where the rhythm of the waves mirrors the pulsating energy of racing thoroughbreds. But, beneath this surface beauty lies a deeper narrative – one that celebrates the untamed spirit of the ocean and the majestic elegance of the horse. In crafting our fashion narrative for the Hollywoodbets Durban July, we are called to delve beyond the superficial and embrace the profound connection between land and sea.”

Kidger warned

She urged KwaZulu-Natal’s fashion lecturers and mentors to communicate to their students the importance of avoiding clichés in their interpretation of the theme and instead encouraged strong storytelling, authenticity, creativity and elegance. 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 colors, she urged.

Vuyi Ngobese, PRO for the Hollywood Foundation, said in 2024 the organization has supported students with full-cost bursaries to the value of R18 million. She announced the foundation’s prizes for the top three spots in the 2024 Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Award would be a R50,000 bursary for first prize, R30,000 bursary for second, and R20,000 bursary for third place. Durban Fashion Fair, Gold Circle, Schweppes, and Gateway Theatre of Shopping would be supplementing the bursaries with significant additions to the prizes.

Speaking about the importance of the fashion experience as part of the Durban July, Events and Marketing Executive Gold Circle, Stephen Marshall said there are many levels and many platforms where this plays out. He mentioned the cash prizes, the Hollywood Foundation bursaries, vouchers, the fashion show platforms, and professional photo shoots. All of which provide exposure for the Young Designers, Durban Fashion Fair Rising Stars, and the Invited Designers.

Renowned Graffiti Artist Shaun Oakley, popularly known as “Damn Vandal”, unveiled the spectacular Hollywoodbets Durban July theme through a billboard vandalism stunt. The recent “vandalization” of Hollywoodbets’ billboard on Sandton Drive in Johannesburg has sparked a citywide conversation about art, advertising, and the upcoming Hollywoodbets Durban July. What initially seemed like an act of mischief turned out to be a breathtaking artistic statement by the Durban-born artist.

The incident, which occurred during peak hour traffic on Monday, 18 March, saw the massive billboard transformed into a vibrant canvas showcasing the theme of this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July, “Ride the Wave”. The bold graffiti art captured the essence of the event, carefully crafted to ignite imagination and spark inspiration, weaving together the elements of horseracing, fashion, and entertainment.

In conclusion, with the theme now revealed, it remains to be seen what magic and creativity the fashion students can conjure up and put on display at “Africa’s Greatest Horseracing and Social Event” on July 6th. The Hollywoodbets Durban July promises to deliver a day filled with art, culture, and the thrill of horseracing as participants ride the wave of creativity and immerse themselves in a unique celebration unlike any other.