Vodacom Durban July Fashion Challenge Entrants Dazzles Judges??

Judges sifted through a range of inspired storyboards submitted by the fashionistas, all hoping for an opportunity to showcase their creations whilst gathering some great publicity. The annual fashion competition is open to all aspiring designers and out of province students and past winners and finalists have gone on to become some of South Africa's most celebrated designers.

After thorough deliberation Dessire Botha, Hanlie Alberts, Bianca van Rooyen, Fatimah Patel, Sharon Griffiths, Kim Catterick, Racine Denny, Caitlin Shoesmith, Pierre Fourie and Mmuso Potsane were chosen as the top ten Fashion Challenge entrants. The panel of judges, consisting of Greg Wallis, Sibu Msimang, Monica Holman and Tiffany Prior, are well versed in the language of fashion and what it takes to create an awe-inspiring and thought-out race day and runway ready ensemble.

The top ten designs were chosen according to a tough creative brief that included fashion components such as fit, quality, finish and theme, and of course, the emerging designers' interpretation of the 2015 Vodacom Durban July fashion theme, 'The Captain's Table.' Greg Wallis, fashion expert, mentor, designer and familiar face to the Vodacom Durban July Fashion Programme, was dazzled by the quality of designs this year and found it tricky to eliminate entries.

"The top ten were chosen because they are all real winners, they followed the brief perfectly, they understand the relationship between the fabric and the garment, the colour spectrum is amazing and what I really like is the research that went into their designs," said Wallis. He also found the inspiration behind the designs both clever and unusual saying, "The entrants have really studied the brief. For example, a spectacular design in red came from the Siamese fighter fish which comes from the bottom of the ocean."

Past Fashion Challenge finalist and one of this years Invited Designers, Sibu Msimang, was also impressed by the quality and scope of entries, "There were some very interesting Fashion Challenge designs. I liked that the designers didn't take the brief literally, but were creative and explored all aspects of the theme. It will be interesting to see how they will translate their vision into reality." Tiffany Prior, one of the judges and Fashion Programme Director of the Vodacom Durban July, was amazed by the calibre of entrants and is excited for the completed designs. "This is generally one of the best years in terms of quality of entries. What I love about the Fashion Challenge is that designs come from right around the country, and whilst the Vodacom Durban July sits in Durban this competition embraces diversity and being national."

Monica Holman, Race Day Event Manager for Gold Circle, echoed the other judges' sentiments saying, "All the applicants were a high standard and the brief was executed and read in the way we hoped, pulling through the consistent trends of elegance and poise. People should be very excited to see the top ten designs on the runway." The public can view the top ten designs at the Vodacom Durban July Fashion Showcase on 17th and 19th June at Greyville Racecourse, at the Vodacom Durban July Preview Fashion Show at Gateway on 4th July. Tickets are available through Computicket. The 2015 Vodacom Durban July takes place at Greyville Racecourse on Saturday 4 July. More information can be found at https://www.vodacomdurbanjuly.co.za