Fashionistas applaud top local designers
Glag rags all the rage in Durban’s Fashion Fair
made a decent showing at the first evening of the second annual Fashion Fair on Friday. Held at the Durban Exhibition Centre, the evening drew a respectable crowd, who lapped up the latest creations by new and established designers. I got there in time to see Craig Jacobs, Karen Monk Klijnstra, Zarth and Gavin Rajah. Yes, it was good. arrived at an exhibition area where some of the designers had their wares on display. A cordoned-off section served finger food, buffet-style, alongside a bar. The setup in the auditorium was professional and a huge screen that projected images of the creations set the tone.
Pictures: THEMBINKOSI DWAYISA were charmingly awkward. When the designer emerged at the end, a chubby toddler on her arm, she received an ovation.
The label that hit the spot was Zarth Designs, headed by Zama Mathe, who presented an array of elegant designs for her winter 2014 collection.
Rajah got a show all to himself — and he rocked. It was the mostdramatic of the evening. Instead of the usual professional stalk and deadpan expressions, his models undulated across the ramp, paused slowly and dramatically, and made what appeared to be eye contact.
He drew peals of laughter when he stepped out at the end wearing a black T-shirt with the words ‘‘Why isn’t Gideon showing?’’ (referring to another well-known Durban designer) emblazoned in gold.
Overall, the event went smoothly in a venue that was a welcome refuge from the blustery weather. Members of the public who bought the R100 tickets got to trip over their favourite local fashion celebrities.