The Fashion and Textiles Department at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) proudly hosted its annual Fashion Exhibition, celebrating the innovative work of its third-year students. The captivating event themed Behold the “I” (based on the title of a poem written by Lee Scott Hempson for the third year students’), took place at the Brickfield Campus in Durban on Friday, 15 November 2024, at 18:00.
The first floor of the fashion campus was transformed into a professional exhibition area that showcased the students’ commitment to their abilities and craft. Every student showcased an outfit in addition to expertly taken photographs of their finished pieces.
The 2024 Fashion exhibition was curated and creatively directed by third-year Creative Design lecturer Ms Helen Smith, supported by Ms Luhandra Kirby. The 3rd year students’ collections were constructed under the supervision of third-year patterns and garment lecturer, Ms Nomonde Peter with the support of specialist technician, Mrs Angeline Jacks.
Unpacking the 2024 theme entitled Behold the “I”, Acting Head of Department (HOD) Ms Tando Mbanga shared that the Department established a clear theme for the exhibition at the beginning of the year, creating a central narrative that guided the creative direction and curation of the showcase.
“We ensured that the students were at the forefront of this showcase, they were involved in the installation. The exhibition was logistically planned months in advance with external service providers, photoshoots were co-ordinated carefully to ensure that all exhibition materials were ready. We explore story-telling and narrative opportunities in relation to current trends and cultural contexts in order to develop an over-arching theme that the students can connect to and feel inspired by,” she said.
The 2024 judges were: Nombulelo Madonsela, a seasoned fashion buyer with over 10 years of experience in the retail industry, Michelle Dindi, a fashion designer and consultant who and honed her skills in luxury brand marketing in Paris before pivoting to sustainable fashion solutions. Also amongst the esteemed judges was Ann-Marie Tully, a South African artist, arts educator and visual researcher. She is currently a lecturer at the DUT Department of Fine Art and Jewellery Design.
Students competed in four different categories of awards and the winners were as follows:
- Best Range on Show- Olwethu Payi
- Best Technical Students- Nondumiso Mpanza
- Most Innovative Range- Nangomuso Nduku
- Most Commercial Range- Relebohile Mongali
Olwethu Payi, 24, from the Eastern Cape, expressed her joy upon winning the show’s best range award, stating that it is a tribute to her own relentless efforts as well as those of her amazing lecturers and loved ones who helped her along the way.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to showcase my creativity and share my vision with the world. My range the “Braided Narrative,” is a celebration of my Xhosa heritage and the rich cultural traditions that inspire me. To see it resonate with others and receive this recognition is truly humbling,” said Payi.
The event was in line with the DUT ENVISION2030 strategy working towards the university students being creative and innovative.
Pictured: Three of the Fashion Design student winners at the 2024 Fashion Exhibition.
Photographer: Mnqobi Ngobese
Thubelihle Dumakude
