Dawn of the Arts at the Durban Fashion Fair 2017!

For four days, the Durban ICC and surrounds will be transformed into a fashion extravaganza as some of the city's hottest designers celebrate the reawakening of the creative industry and the realization of the arts as a lucrative business opportunity.

Tickets to the various showings by both local fashion talents and invited designers from throughout the African continent will go on sale from today.

Themed the Dawn of the Arts, the Durban Fashion Fair 2017 presented by the eThekwini Municipality will be spread over three days - from August 23rd to 25th and wrapping up with the Recognition awards on Aug 26th.

Showcasing on Wednesday, August 23rd at 18.00pm will be Azola Tanzi (Azee Tanzi), Martin John Steenkamp (Martin John), Narcissi Madisha (Kameo Kids), Ceri Williams (Evaelathil Designs) and Zimbili Shezi (ZimbyLees Apparel). They will be followed by the 2017 Mentorship Programme designers: Athenkosi Mfungula; Bongekile Sondezi; Casey Hutchinson; Cheryl Jafta; Claudia Novuka; Leona Pillay; Nishthi Sewnath; Nivadni Sewnath; Ntokozo Buthelezi and Wanda Majubana at 19.30pm with invited designers Eulender Cele & Samuel Mosala (Eullue), Thokozani Mbatha (Black Pepper) and Sandile Duke Mngadi (Duke "Clothe Your Soul") taking to the ramp at 20.30pm.

Our invited African designers for the evening will be Clement Effanga (Clemas Couture), SidumisoTshuma (Shadow by Sidumiso) and Yolanda Ngwenya (Bakhar) at 21.30. The evening will culminate in a Markham retail collection showing at 22.30pm.

This fashion forward evening will feature live entertainment by Aewon Wolf, DJ Siyanda and a "downsized" version of the SAMA award-winning instrumental pop group, the Sterling EQ Duo (consisting of electric violin and cello, electric violin and flute, or electric cello and flute)

Guests can also look forward to the presentation of the Fashion Business Award, the DFF New Face Award, the Best African Designer Collection Award and, last but not least, the Durban Designer of the Year Award.

Tickets are R100 per person per show with students (with a valid student card) paying R50 per show. There will be a 3 night show pass at R225 or the 5 night show pass at R350 a person. The DFF Recognition Awards show tickets are R250 per person.

Tickets are available at webtickets.co.za or selected Pick 'n Pay outlets.