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Dazzling Awards ceremony brings #DFF2019 to a close!

Dazzling Awards ceremony brings #DFF2019 to a close!

Date: 2019-10-04

A vibrant awards ceremony at the Nkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre hosted by Miss South Africa, Zozibini Tunzi and radio and television personality, Selby "Selbyonce" Mkhize, brought the 2019 Durban Fashion Fair (#DFF2019) to a memorable close on Saturday, September 28.

The event was officially opened by chairman of the eThekwini Municipality's Economic Development and Planning committee, Cllr. Sipho Kaunda, who noted that, during the lifetime of the DFF, the Municipality had invested over R40 million in rejuvenating and supporting the fashion industry in the City and had facilitated the entrance of around 1800 new fashion designers.

The red carpet event, which was attended by local celebrities as well as leaders within local government and the fashion industry, was the culmination of a four-day long joint celebration of fashion and business.

The DFF 2019 - themed Evolution is Elementary to highlight the influence of essential elements such as metals as well as the spontaneous growth of design - and the Durban Business Fair (DBF) - themed Journey of Innovation - took place concurrently at the ICC, emphasising once again how the economy of the city and the future of this key sector are inexorably linked.

It also celebrated the important connection between the creative industries and the drive by the eThekwini Municipality and its Business Support, Tourism and Markets Unit to grow and support sustainable businesses and create jobs in the region.

The DFF traces its roots back eight years when it grew out of the Durban Business Fair. It has come a long way since 2012 when it took place over a single evening with just six shows and 12 designers. This year's DFF included at least five shows per evening and featured over 50 designers from across the African continent.

Durban fashion industry, went to Greg Wallis of D&G Apparel who has been instrumental in the success of the DFF's long standing mentorship programme. Through this, he has personally mentored numerous young Durban designers, including many of the award winners at #DFF2019.

The Fashion Business Award went to Fabric & Bridal, a family business that has been a leader in retail fashion textiles for over 40 years. Fabric & Bridal sponsored fabrics for the mentees that showcased their first collections on the DFF ramp this year. The company also provided additional prizes for the three top mentees that received the Rising Star Awards.

The much anticipated Rising Stars Awards - which pick out the three top performing mentees that participate in a year-long designer mentorship programme in the run up to the DFF - were Bongie Funeka, Makhosazane Ntshangase and Sizwe Mncube. As head of the programme, Wallis noted that the quality of the designs and worksmanship of the mentees had been particularly high this year.