Durban’s emerging designers are set to display their craft during the Durban Fashion Fair to be held at the Station Urban Event Space on Wednesday.

The fair will provide 22 designers the opportunity to promote and grow their businesses from Wednesday next week to Sunday.

One of the designers is Nondumiso Mhlongo, or Ndlovukazi as she is commonly known. She owns the Curved Ndlovukazi ladies’ wear brand. Ndlovukazi, who was a teacher for 20 years, said she has always been passionate about fashion and wanted to work in the industry.

Mhlongo said she is looking forward to participating in the fair and the municipality’s impactful Fashion Development Programme, which she said, helped her to realise her dream.

Another participant, Nokwazi Mkhize from Cato Ridge, is a self-taught designer working with Tailor Made by Kwazi. She said her style reflects the latest fashion trends such as corset dresses and dyed fabric.

“I am excited to showcase my corset dress that represents the blooming stage of a flower at this year’s DFF which is my interpretation of the ‘Coming of Age’ theme,” Mkhize said.

Both Mhlongo and Mkhize will compete against 20 other designers and hope to finish amongst the top three. The three designers who present the best collections will receive prizes at the DFF Recognition Awards.

Self-taught designer Nokwazi Mkhize trades with Tailor Made by Kwazi. Mkhize is one of 22 designers who will showcase their designs during the Durban Fashion Fair. Picture: eThekwini Municipality.

In an eThekwini Municipality statement, they said that the 22 mentees had received weekly tasks in preparing their collections to present to a larger audience of fashion buyers, the media, critics and the public at the annual DFF Fashion Show.

The three-day fashion extravaganza features 11 shows showcasing the talent of approximately 70 new and established designers from across Africa. There will also be a pop-up shop featuring locally manufactured fashion products.

In its 13th year, the DFF Mentorship Programme is an initiative to develop the fashion industry in eThekwini and create a platform for employment and entrepreneurship in the sector.

Earlier this month, the DFF rewarded nine other designers with a share of R250 000 following the DFF’s Rising Stars initiative, similarly with the attempt to further the careers of upcoming designers.

During the award ceremony, Economic Development and Planning Committee deputy chairperson, Philisiwe Ndlovu, spoke of celebrating the transformation of fashion in Durban which has become known as one of the hottest fashion districts in South Africa.

These nine designers will also be showcasing their work at the DFF Fair.

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