Fashion and fillies at Durban July
Celebrities turn out in their big-screen best for the race
THE 2014 edition of the Durban July kicked off on an eerie note — to the strains of the theme song of the 1990s sci-fi series, The X-Files.
As the designers accompanied wafer-thin models wearing their impressive — and sometimes outrageous — garments, the music swelled. But unlike the theme song, which has become synonymous with all things supernatural and alien, the fashion was not completely “out of this world”. Surprisingly, aside from a few daring designs, the outfits were mostly elegant with a touch of pizzazz befitting the “big screen” theme.
The public embraced the Bollywood theme and so did businessman Vivian Reddy and wife Sorisha Naidoo. The couple’s double-storey Sibaya tent was a combination of pink and orange splendour and there were brass vases, intricate mirrors and bowls of spiced sev and nuts on each table. An Indian motif was fully embraced.
In contrast, the Vodacom VIP paddock seemed to have a case of “Horses? What horses?” going on. The SABC commandeered a corner of the room, where soapie stars and TV presenters, such as gorgeous Minnie Dlamini, waited to mingle on camera with Top Billing’s Jeannie D, resplendent in a black-and-white Gavin Rajah outfit. Isidingo actor Ashish Gangapersad, with geometrically cut lapels, and dance partner Lindsey Muckle made a striking pair, offering a preview of the new season of Strictly Come Dancing.
Amid the magic of live television, other guests jived to the live music and enjoyed the food and drinks on offer.
At M-Net’s Pegasus Grand Stand suite, the bold and beautiful sipped Verve Cliquot and Johnnie Walker Gold, seemingly oblivious of the four-legged stars. Among them were Terry Pheto, gorgeous in a Marianne Fassler dress that she wore to the 2006 Oscars and had slightly reworked, Kershnee Govender, M-Net’s corporate affairs director in a Malcolm Kluk two-piece ensemble, and the very tall Derek Watts.
SuperSport presenter Neil Andrews was in charge of the formalities.
After the drama-filled main race, the DJ took over and the guests took to the dance floor. — Additional reporting by Yasantha Naidoo THE Ballito Street Heroes event was launched amid much revving of engines and the wails of AC/DC lead singer Brian Johnson on Tuesday.
Hosted at sponsor SMD Group’s headquarters in Ballito, the organisers gave details of the upcoming festival in September. The event is best described as the Top Gear Festival on a smaller scale and with a charitable edge.
During his short address, SMD Group’s Shaun Duminy assured the guests that money raised from the two- day festival would be donated to a local creche. He guaranteed an amount of R40 000.
The guests were introduced to a few of the drivers in an unusual fashion. The eye-popping cars and racing machines entered the showroom clouded in smoke from a smoke machine.
It had the desired effect as guests leapt from their seats to admire the machines and snap pictures.