Durbanites write for us @ Fashion Week
We’re always going on about how much of our great artistic talent comes from Durban, the hot spot of creativity. Well prepare yourselves for the 4th MTN Durban Fashion Week that’s set to shine all over the east coast. Represent is looking for hip and happening Fashion fundi’s to cover this years Fashion Week for us. Please email editor@represent.co.za and tell me why it should be you. You’ll need to be able to write in fluent English although we always like a touch of spice, and have your own ditigal camera or a friend that’s a good photographer.
Young, energetic and funky MTN Durban Fashion Week, now in its fourth year, is once again set against the backdrop of Durban’s vibrant ambiance, magnificent Indian Ocean coastline and mixture of African, Eastern and Western cultural influences. MTN Durban Fashion Week 2008 is set to be a visual feast, presented by award-winning South African and international designers. Positioned as the cradle of South Africa’s young and emerging talent, MTN Durban Fashion Week 2008 will marry creativity with business, youth with experience and fashion with a cause, to present a truly spectacular and memorable event.
Developing and supporting young and emerging talent has always ranked high on the list of priorities for convener and co-owner of MTN Durban Fashion Week, Vanashree Singh. Concurrent with their annual young designer search at top design schools, MTN Durban Fashion Week has embarked on a ground breaking initiative, partnering with the KZN Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism (DACT) to launch an exploratory programme across KZN, whose main aim is to seek, cultivate and nurture would-be designers who have the talent but lack the means to achieve success in the fashion industry.
“MTN Durban Fashion Week has always taken the fashion business seriously and intrinsic to the success of any business is investment at a grassroots level. KZN has a wealth of exceptional design talent and our event presents exciting opportunities to showcase to a wide audience. The South African fashion industry is under continuous threat from foreign imports. We believe by investing in young South African talent, we are promoting Proudly South African brands and thereby making a positive impact on South Africa’s emerging fashion talent. Young talent – their creativity and hard work – is the very essence of what makes MTN Durban Fashion Week a success and we are proud of their achievements.” said Vanashree,
This was reiterated by Evan Schiff, spokesperson for, African Fashion International (AFI) who are joint owners of MTN Durban Fashion Week, “MTN Durban Fashion Week fulfils a vital role on the local fashion calendar which falls in line with African Fashion International’s strategic objectives of unearthing and developing young designers. Our intention is to help designers grow their brands and make sales, whilst establishing links with the wider fashion manufacturing industry. MTN Durban Fashion Week has taken a strategic decision to focus on this potential and going forward will play an important role in shaping the future of the South African fashion industry.”
Staying with last year’s winning formula, this year’s MTN Durban Fashion Week will again be held on the beach. From 25 to 28 June, the Sundeck at the Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World will play host to a plethora of media, fashionistas and patrons who will all descend upon Durban’s golden mile to witness the vibrancy of new design talent and the ‘joie de vivre’ of South Africa’s best established designers. Fashion lovers can expect to witness the latest trends in men’s and women’s fashion and accessories, showing international trends with an African twist. Limited tickets to each show will go on sale to the public through Computicket in June. There will also be a series of seminars presented by respected industry professionals, which will help equip designers with additional skills to support the growth of their business.
Title sponsor MTN is continuing to inspire South Africans with their ‘Everywhere you go’ philosophy that celebrates an attitude, achievement and doing things in an exceptional way. Anthony Garstang, Senior Manager: MTN Sponsorship, Events and Exhibitions said, “MTN is proud to once again sponsor the MTN Durban Fashion Week. Fashion is multi-faceted and impacts on us in different forms; this is important to MTN because as a leader in the mobile telecoms industry, we need to monitor fashion and trends to keep us at the forefront. Our consumers are fashion conscious – they want the latest in cell phones and technology to go with their fashionable lifestyles. South Africa can hold its own on the international fashion runways with fashion ranging from ethnic and traditional to classical and avant-garde. The 2008 MTN Durban Fashion Week will most certainly not disappoint dedicated followers of fashion.”
Showcasing celebrated local couturiers, hot new talent and international designers, on an ideal beach location, MTN Durban Fashion Week 2008 has all the right ingredients to create a breathtaking and unforgettable fashion experience.
