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The Durban Fashion Fair (DFF), celebrating a seven year run

The Durban Fashion Fair (DFF), celebrating a seven year run

Date: 2018-09-28

#DFF2018 winners: Aldytha Da Silva (Business Award: Kryolan); Ntando Shandu (New Face); Martin John Steenkamp (Fashion Innovator & Next Generation Emerging Designer Awards); Samuel Quame Owusu (Best African Menswear Collection); Nassim Samma (Best African Ladieswear Collection); Zama Mathe (DFF Durban Designer of the Year 2018); Brenda Quin (Best Ladieswear Collection); Zamabhele Ntshangase (Rising Star); Chu Suwannapha (Best Menswear Collection); Khulekani Sithole and Sicelinhlanhla Ngcobo (Rising Star); Nandile Mkhize (New Face); Cari St Quentin (Rising Star); Insert: Muzi Innocent Mhlambo (Collection of the Week)

The Durban Fashion Fair (DFF), celebrating a seven year run ended on a high note last night (Saturday, September 22) with an award ceremony recognizing local and international emerging and established designers.

The DFF ran alongside the Durban Business Fair who also celebrated their 20th anniversary at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre and the Durban Exhibition Centre.

Themed Afrofuturism and hosted by much loved radio and television personality Anele Mdoda, the highlight of this four-day fashion extravaganza celebrated the talents of the future and recognised the maestros of the present.

The most coveted award of the evening - the Durban Designer of the Year 2018 - went to Zama Mathe, head designer of the brand Zarth.

Mathe is a protÈgÈ of the DFF and head of a growing and successful business. Founded in 2009, Zarth has evolved into a creative design house employing a fully qualified team of professionals.The fledgling brand made its DFF debut in 2013, earning Zama Mathe an internship to Milan, Italy. She has participated at the DFF every year since then. This is the second year she has clinched the award, having also being chosen as the DFF Designer of the Year title in 2016.

The Collection of the Week award went to Muzi Innocent Mhlambo who launched his brand, Mita-N Dzyns in 2010. Self-taught and ambitious, he has honed his career and grown his passion for fashion through the DFF.

This year's Best Ladieswear Collection 2018 Award went to Diva Designs, Brenda Quin for a stunning collection that perfectly encapsulates her combination of combining boldness with femininity while the Best Menswear Collection went to well-known fashion writer and award winning designer, Chu Suwannapha and his brand Chulaap

Deputy Mayor, Councillor Fawzia Peer, who opened the Durban Fashion Fair Recognition Awards, declaring that the entire endeavour was a noble cause.

She noted that fashion had an important part to play in the economic development agenda of the city and said that the DFF was an important foundation for the creation of sustainable businesses in the city of Durban.

Martin John Steenkamp, whose label Martin John encapsulates androgynous design with menswear pieces that channel into women's wear took home two prestigious awards - Fashion Innovator Award and the Next Generation Emerging Designer Award.

The Durban Fashion Legend 2018 which is based on nominations from within the local fashion industry went to Amanda Laird Cherry while the Fashion Business Award went to make up house, Kryolan.

This year's DFF New Face of the Year (ladies) was Nandile Mkhize, while the New Face of the Year (men) was Ntando Shandu.