Posh dress at July
The Vodacom Durban July is one of the biggest fashion events in South Africa. Buhle Mbonambi asked stylist and fashion commentator Mthoko Chiyi for tips on putting together a winning outfit
Boomtown is possibly the biggest hospitality village at the Vodacom Durban July. It’s so big, that other companies house their marquees in the village. And this year, it’s probably going to be their biggest VDJ, ever. And that’s just judging from the lineup, which is chock-full of SA’S biggest performers, including Mafikizolo, AKA, Cassper Nyovest, Riky Rick, Nasty C, DJ Fresh and Durban’s Shekinah. As always, the celebrities will be milling about and with Vuzu AMP as one of the partners, it’s going to be the best marquee for those who love spotting their idols.
Tickets are R690 to R5 950, per person.
My favourite part of the VDJ is in the morning, where the fashionable people walk around, showing off their outfits. Like peacocks, they strut and twirl, while the judges pick the best dressed and ignore those who either overcooked their looks or didn’t know what they were doing. A favourite pastime of mine at the VDJ is taking pictures of horribly dressed people and posting them on social media, asking people why they thought their outfits were a good idea. To avoid that ridicule, I asked a stylist for tips of the correct race-wear fashion.
“I think people forget that an event like the Vodacom Durban July is a high-class event, attended by members of high society. There has always been a dress code for these kinds “Royal Ascot has a handbook they release every year, with a guide on what can and can’t be worn at the event and I think we also need to do the same here. I know of one marquee that has a strict dress code and doesn’t allow any sneakers, denim or risqué outfits in their enclosure. As a result, their guests are always elegantly turned out and look like they belong.”
“There’s this perception that to be the sexiest person in the room, you need to wear revealing clothes. It’s so wrong. You can still be the sexiest person at the VDJ without everyone looking for pieces of material to cover your exposed body parts. There are so many ways to dress up in an elegant way while still being sexy. We see it all the time.” carpet reporting for a marquee and I have decided to wear a sequined blazer.”