MTN Durban Fashion Week: Young/Emerging
Big ups to Daniel Cuthbert and Emma Norris that caught the up and coming and emerging talents at 2008’s MTN Durban Fashion Week both in visuals and words – see our Represent photostory here and read his reviews below. He’s impressed with the spread and loved ‘Smiso Mbindwana’s‘ work from the Young designers, but overall, he’s got his eye on ‘Tarien Mallebe Maveaf’ as one of the Emerging designers that truly stood out – we’ll try to find out more about the new talents …don’t forget about where you read about them first – Represent! :
The MTN Fashion week is something Durban can be proud of. The fashion shows have the all the characteristics of international shows, which shows just how fashion is making a big impact on this City than ever before.
MTN Young Designers 2008:
The show started off with the runway full of kids, all blacked out but with their phones on and ringing, I wasn’t sure if this was to indicate that young kids do nothing but see in the dark and talk on their phones, but it was a rather apt introduction into the Young Designers of 2008.
As with most young designers, you don’t expect their style and collection to be fully polished, but rather a glimpse of what they can achieve already and also some indication of how they will grow as designers. I was totally blown away by the level of skill. If this is any indication of what the future holds, I can honestly say that South Africa has some seriously talented designers in the wings.
The common theme was that of metallics and natural colours. Bekky Beukes’s collection drew inspiration from the military, with very rustic colours and materials used. She made use of texture in a clever way, and her full-length dresses were something that you’d expect to see at the Durban July.
Next up was Smiso Mbindwana, a.k.a Fresh Thread. This collection was one of the highlights of the night. His use of bags, denim and lace, really made people look and the whole collection as something you could see yourself wearing.
Joline Graham’s collection was very classic and ready to wear. The highlight for me was her candy pole dress, which gathering from the audience around me, many wanted it.
Stephen van Eeden’s collection for me was the best. His use of colour and material was amazing and would not look out of place at this years NYC and London fashion weeks.
MTN Durban Fashion Week: Emerging Designers
Thursday showcased 5 Emerging Designers but the one that stuck in my mind the most was Tarien Mallebe Maveaf. The use of 1950’s was very apparent and worked well with the collection. From the clothes and accessories used, Chanel and other top Fashion Houses were an inspiration here but the designer made it their own.
The other 4 were disappointing in that they did not show enough of their own style and creativity as the previous evenings’ Young Designers did. There is something to be said for drawing inspiration from popular periods in fashion but not heavily copying them and using over cliched looks i.e. flourescent tops accompanied by metalic leggings… been there, done it, seen it, got the T-Shirt.
Overall… MTN Durban Fashion Week should be used as an opportunity to show the viewers what you can achieve as a designer and not by heavily relying on what other designers have done before you.
