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Durban is a city that boasts a fascinating tapestry of cultures and communities, and whose diversity has contributed an incredible wealth of design talent to South Africa.
Acknowledged by industry professionals as the cradle of young talent, Durban has always contributed a kaleidoscope of fresh, new designers to the country’s fashion industry. However, a fashion week only exists if it meets the business objectives of the designers and the fashion industry.
Three years ago, MTN Durban Fashion Week (MTNDFW) recognised this wealth of creative and business potential in the South African design industry and created a platform in Durban where South Africa’s innovative emerging designers could showcase alongside top established designers.
Ideally positioned to nurture this talent, now in its fourth year, MTNDFW has turned the spotlight on new talent with the strategic objective of identifying the countries top new and emerging designers.
The Young Designer Search kicked off toward the end of 2007 with a call to entry sent out to leading South African fashion design academies. The schools were required to send through the portfolios of their top graduating students of 2007 from which a selection panel of highly respected industry representatives selected the cream of the crop who have been invited to showcase their work at MTN Durban Fashion Week 2008.
The 2008 panel of judges all have a keen eye for talent, are established and respected in their industries and understand the vibrant design and fashion industry. The judging panel included media fashion fundi’s Kiki Ntuli and Terence Pillay; Greg Wallis, head of the Durban Fashion and Design Council; popular Durban-based SA designer – Vino; and Grant Blackbeard head of Blackbeard and Dare retail operation.
If the South African fashion design industry is to have a buoyant future and take its rightful place on the international fashion platform, it’s critical that our designers of tomorrow are encouraged and nurtured today. Our goal is to help designers grow their brands locally and internationally whilst developing strong links with the wider manufacturing and retail industries.
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