Invited designers to showcase their talent

Durban – Six invited designers have been carefully selected to ride a wave of success when they participate in the Hollywoodbets Durban July Invited Designer Showcase presented by Durban Fashion Fair.

The designers – four from Durban and two from Johannesburg – will present their creations and interpretation of the theme ‘Ride the Wave’ at a special showing that is likely to set the trend and the tone for the fashion extravagance that has become so synonymous with Africa’s premier horse racing event – the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

This year there are four designers from Durban, including well-known rockstars Karen Monk-Klijnstra and the legendary Kathrin Kidger as well as two “newbies”, Kwenzi Nkomo and Makhosi Ntshangase. From Johannesburg comes husband-and-wife team Vanya and Thando Mangaliso, and Thula Sindi.

“It is a mixed bag as always. We try to make sure that each designer brings something unique, whatever their handwriting or personal brand is, and that each one is completely different from the other five. So that you get a beautiful creative mix,” Hollywoodbets Durban July fashion programme director, Tiffany Prior said.

“We have two newbies, two from Johannesburg, and some old favourites – like Kathrin Kidger and Karen Monk-Klijnstra. I think between all six you are going to see something quite remarkable.”

“A previous winner of the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Award and both protégés of the DFF mentorship programme, Kwenzi (Indoni Fashion House) and Makhosi (Sistas Felas) have been included. As always, we are trying to make sure that we stay true to the brand and ethos of the Durban Fashion Fair, which is about building the fashion industry and helping individual growth – the Hollywoodbets Durban July Fashion Experience is a huge platform for anyone,” she said.

For Kwenzi this will be her first time as a Hollywoodbets Durban July Invited Designer. “I am so excited. It’s amazing. It really, really surprised me when I was invited to participate. The theme means freedom to me and I took my inspiration from the sea shore – the colours of the sand. I used shells representing the highs and lows of my life and seaweed. Mine is an authentic expression of my life,” said Kwenzi.

Owner of the Indoni Fashion House label, Kwenzi said it had grown and developed so much from when she first started.

From Johannesburg comes the powerhouse brand Sun Goddess, owned by husband-and-wife team, Vanya and Thando Mangaliso, who have more than 20 years in retail and in the industry.

“We are so excited by the opportunity to participate again. It’s not our first time but it is still so amazing. The Invited Designers showcase is about inclusivity. And being in Durban again will give us a chance to reconnect with our clients down there,” said Vanya.

Thando described Sun Goddess as a quintessential SA luxury brand that is all about uplifting South Africa aesthetics – telling a South African story. “We are about local traditions, local cultures and global trends and style. We are more than our creations, the brand has grown and now includes sunglasses and fragrances,” he said.

“When we first started, we asked ourselves, how can we add to the reconstruction of the country – using clothing as a communicator. Many designers start by creating and then go -who are my clients. We did the other way around – we put our clients first. We are pacemakers, setting the tone for what is to come with more than 20 years in the industry,” he said.

Invited designers and their labels
Karen Monk Klijnstra: KMK
Kwenzi Nkomo: Indoni Fashion House
Makhosi Ntshangase: Sistas Fela
Kathrin Kidger: Kathrin Kidger
Vanya and Thando Mangaliso: Sun Goddess
Thula Sindi: Thula Sindi