The annual Hollywood Durban July race is around the corner, and 10 aspiring fashion designers will compete for a cash prize and bursaries.
The competition kicked off earlier this month, where the judges had a tough time viewing and deciding on the best designs from almost 100 entrants. Each designer was required to present a race-day ensemble. The design has to align with the 2024 theme, which is Ride The Wave. Contestants were eventually narrowed down to 25. The showcase is presented by the Durban Fashion Fair.
Ten selected into the final round
On Wednesday night the semi-final showcase took place at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping in Umhlanga. The Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Award ended with 10 student designers selected to move into the final round.
It also featured a show of ready-to-wear garments from prominent retailers in Gateway. These 10 finalists come from all over the KwaZulu-Natal province. They will get to showcase their designs at the awards preview fashion show on June 28.
The final round of judging will take place on the big day at the Hollywoodbets Durban July on July 6.
Teko Modise in the judges’ panel
Joining the judges’ panel was Hollywoodbets Brand Ambassador, former Bafana Bafana captain Teko “The General” Modise.
Modise said: “I think this year is an improvement from last year, which is to be expected. We can see a lot of hard work and creativity that has gone into these designs. And to some degree there has been a lot of interpretation of the theme. I am inspired every time I come here.
“I like fashion and I like designers who push themselves. It was tough to choose the top 10 but it should be like that, it should not be easy. There were a couple of other designers who could have easily made it. but unfortunately it was the top 10 that we selected. And for those that made it: ‘congratulations to them’.”
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