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Western Cape semi-finalists named in Vodacom Durban July Young Designer
Award
Western Cape - The Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award continued
its unprecedented growth with an entry that exceeded all expectations in
terms of quantity and quality. Record entries were received from most of
the regions with key areas such as the Eastern Cape raising the technical
and creative bar of the competition.
The record entry of 242 storyboards received from students from design
technikons, colleges and universities across the Western Cape region has
stunned judges with their varied interpretations of this year's theme
"It's a Blooming Great Day!"
"I’m absolutely thrilled with our
twenty
semi finalists and cannot wait to see the finished work in Cape Town at on
May 26," said Fashion Programme Director, Tiffany Prior. "I’m always
really impressed with the quality of work from the Cape Town design
students and love their very definite sense of style."
The students’ interpretations of the theme varied from one to another
drawing inspiration from aspects of the "green" recycling movement;
colours, layers and textures of floral or natural elements and very clever
use of organic earthy elements such as cotton, leaves and feathers.
The esteemed panel of judges, which included the director of SA Fashion
Week Lucilla Booyzen, top Durban designers Terrence Bray and Nirma
Madhoo-Chipps along with Tiffany Prior, Terrence Pillay and Gold Circle's
Monica Holman, shortlisted the semi-finalists from the huge submission of
storyboards entered in each of the five regions competing in this year’s
competition.
"I'm completely amazed by the design talent coming out of our country,
especially what we have seen from Port Elizabeth," said Booyzen. "It's
exciting and inspiring!"
"From the Western Cape we saw some very innovative thinkers and some
stunning conceptual work, as well as very exciting fabrication," said
Bray. The iconic designer also alluded to a possible winner coming out of
the Western Cape this year.
Last years' overall winner Skye Pengelly recalls her memories of winning
the 2009 Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award. "This award gave me the
confidence boost that I needed as a designer as it gave me national
exposure and the opportunity to measure myself up against all the up and
coming designers in the country," said Pengelly.
"As we all know exposure is a massive part of how we measure success as
designers and this award puts your name and design aesthetic into the mind
of South Africans," she added.
Each student is required to design a race day ensemble that is stylish,
fashionable and encompasses the spirit of one of South Africa’s most
prestigious events – the Vodacom Durban July. “The standard of work gets
higher each year and I really expect our final ten to clearly showcase
South Africa's future design talent,” said Prior.
The level of entries astounded judges to the extent that the organisers
have decided to select three Western Cape finalists on May 26, as apposed
to two as originally planned, that will go on to compete in the national
finals in Durban on 14 and 16 July at Greyville Racecourse.
The winner will be announced on the day of the Vodacom Durban July in
Durban on 31 July, and will win a prize including a five day trip to
London to attend the 2011 Graduate Fashion Week, R10 000 in cash from
Vodacom as well as additional prizes still under consideration.
The college that represents the winner will receive a R30 000.00 bursary
from Vodacom which will be used as a bursary for a deserving student and
the balance being used to develop resources within the college.
The 114th running of the Vodacom Durban July takes place at Greyville
Racecourse on Saturday 31 July. More information can be found at
www.vodacomdurbanjuly.co.za
ENDS
The semi-finalists from the
Western Cape are:
Kerry-ann Heeger, Westley Andrews, Alschke Mielmann, An-mari Honiball,
Shehnaaz Azam, Melisa Poulton, Chantel Marais, Shana Morland, Kim Gush,
René Burger, Jessica Newton, Ricci Janse van Rensburg, Robyn Le Sueur, Sulet Burger Prinsloo,
Lezanne Viviers, Jane Kotze, Elizabeth Strydom, Anchen Tempelhoff, Ricci
Janse Van Rensburg, Frances Miller and Courtney Carroll.
Any questions about the
Vodacom Durban July Fashion programme can be directed to the fashion
programme director Tiffany Prior on (031) 309 6114 or by email on
tiffany@dbn.icemodels.co.za
2010 Vodacom
Durban July theme
"IT’S A
BLOOMING GREAT DAY"
Plant a seed of good fortune,
In the garden of your mind.
Gather design, reap style,
Till it’s one of a kind.
Take a chance on wild,
Exotic if you must.
The flowers of our land,
Sub-tropical or dust.
A mixed bouquet,
In the early light of day.
Or maybe one brilliant bud,
Standing proud is the way.
Indigenous is ingenious,
A good bet to be seen.
Recycling’s one way,
Another is ‘think green’.
In a garden of colour,
One contest stands high.
A blooming great race,
The Vodacom Durban July.
The Vodacom Durban July
Africa’s Greatest Horseracing Event |
