Durban July fashion 2019: Racewear contests – pictures

Raceday Fashion competition is always a popular attraction at the Durban July and this year was no exception with hundreds of entries to the contests.

Designers, young and established flaunted their creations in three categories, Classic Racewear for Men and Women, Most Striking Couple and Exceptional Raceday Hat or Fascinator. There is also an award for the best young designer.

The theme for raceday fashions this year was Stars of Africa.

Durban July fashion winners

Durban designer Makhosazane Ntshangase drew inspiration from zebra and earned the distinction of being named Young designer winner and claiming the Classic Racewear for Women category. Ntshangase’s winning outfit was modelled by Nonjabulo Dubazane.

A second-year student of fashion design, Ntshangase was over the moon that she was the winner out of so many entrants.

“I can’t even explain how I feel right now,” she said. “To see so many people coming and trying to win and I am the one that was chosen is incredible!

“I am amazed right now!

“I wanted to use the new-born zebra as an example of having to get going as soon as you start,” Ntshangase said. “It represents my start in fashion design and that I have had to learn so quickly in the year and a bit that I have been studying fashion design.

“There were so many incredible outfits here and I am still in a bit of shock that I managed to win against so many talented designers.

“If I need to apply for anything in the future I will need to have a good portfolio of experience and this award is going to help so much in giving me that platform that I need to achieve my goals.

“I am still trying to come to terms with this! It’s an incredible feeling especially because all the designers up here could have won.”

Ntshangase revealed that her journey to becoming the 2019 Young Designer winner was a tough one, fuelled by her own self-belief and determination.

“I have always had a passion for fashion design and I am a creative person but it was only when I could make my own decisions that I decided to go to the Lindiwe Kuzwayo Academy of Fashion.

“My mother didn’t believe that fashion was something you could make money out of but I am so happy it is something that I have pursued,” she added.

In the Classic Racewear for Men category, Motho Ngema came out on top with his outfit modelled by Ray Gola.

Senzo Ngcamu was responsible for the garment that finished in second place Classic Racewear for Men category while M-Shade returned to the podium yet again with the third place outfit.

Category is…

The Most Striking Couple Award was hotly contested but went to Lindo and Musa Mathebula in outfits that were designed by Lindo herself.

Finishing in second was Pregasen Govender for his outfits modelled by Pearlene Reddy and George Lambrou while third went to M-Shade again.

The final category was the Exceptional Hat or Fascinator first place and second place went to the same designer.

Durban July fashion stalwart Zandile Masondo was responsible for both remarkable pieces of headwear; she modelled the second place piece while Kwanele Mbatha modelled the winning one.

It is the fourth time that she has won the competition and Masondo says that she likes to keep things simple and work with the finished product in mind.

“I try to keep things as simple as possible,” she said. “I like to just play with the fabric and upcycle things to use.

“The fabric really doesn’t have to be expensive and I try to design something with the end in mind.”

Nana of Ramp & Rail finished in third place for her creation.