Whatshot
Fashion Recognition Awards dawn on Durban
Fashion Recognition Awards dawn on Durban
Award winning Durban designer, Terrence Bray, was chosen as the Durban Designer of the Year 2017 at the prestigious Durban Fashion Fair Recognition Awards evening held at Durban's Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre last night. (Saturday, August 26)
This glamorous event - an evening of music and fashion hosted by Gagasi FM's Collen Zondo and Top Billing presenter, Ayanda Thabethe - brought the sixth annual eThekwini Municipalities Durban Fashion Fair to an end.
Bray, who has played a big role in mentoring young and emerging designers through the years at the DFF, was born and raised in Durban and launched his own label in 1998. Over the years, he has built his career and brand to the point where he is now an internationally recognised designer.
The second big award of the evening - the Durban Fashion Legend 2017 which is based on nominations from within the local fashion industry - went to Lindiwe Khuzwayo. This veteran designer and couturier of 30 years and successful business woman has been a role model for many. Her creations have graced both local andinternational runways in Marseilles, France and Cannes. Khuzwayo founded the Lindiwe Khuzwayo Fashion Design Studio and Lindiwe Khuzwayo Academy of Fashion in1986. The academy was in line with her vision of supporting and actively promoting and empowering the youth which she is very passionate about.
The Best African Collection went to West African fashion brand Quame Owusu which is owned by Ghanian designer, Samuel Owusu. This was his first showing on the DFF ramp.
This year's Fashion Innovator Award, which goes to designers who push the boundaries and embrace technological innovation, went to Martin John Steenkamp while the Emerging Designer of the Year 2017 was self-taught designer, Muzi Innocent Mlambo of Mita-N Dzyns.
This year's New Face of the Year (ladies) was Amanzimtoti's Samantha Jali who is currently studying shipping and logistics, while the New Face of the Year (men) was 26 year-old Samkelo Shinga from Umlazi.