Eight of SA’s designer superstars have been named for the Vodacom Durban July Invited Designer Showcase, presented by LIPSY, check it out…

“We have handpicked eight magical designers, six from KwaZulu-Natal and two from Gauteng, who all already have a national profile and personality within the media,” explained Tiffany Prior, Fashion Programme Director of the Vodacom Durban July.

The country’s fashion elite will design a series of garments based on the race day theme of the ‘Big Screen’ with only their imaginations as their creative limit.

Durban designers Andre Martin, Casey Jeanne, Karen Monk Klijnstra, Kathrin Kidger, Vino Moodley, and Zama Mathe will join David Tlale and Paledi Segapo from Johannesburg for the prestigious showcase that will debut at the Vodacom Durban July Fashion Showcase on 18th and 20th June at Greyville Racecourse.

“People have to realise that the Vodacom Durban July is not only a horse race but a very high end fashion event,” said David Tlale, the Johannesburg designer with an over-the-top sense of glamour. “Designers go all out! And it’s purely about promoting South African fashion.”

Popular Durban designer Kathrin Kidger is once again returning to the prestigious fashion event after participating in the Vodacom Durban July Fashion Challenge in her early career. “I have literally been a part of the July from beginning to end,” said Kidger.

Casey Jeanne joins the line-up after winning the Vodacom Durban July Fashion Challenge last year, and says this opportunity is a massive honour.

Another extremely excited Durban designer returning to the showcase is Zama Mathe who sees the immense value this opportunity brings to her brand.

This year’s Big Screen theme has ignited the designer’s imaginations because of the unrestricted creativity it brings. Durban favourite Karen Monk Klijnstra sees each designer showcase as a reflection of their creative spirit and genius. “And this years theme lends itself to complete creative overdrive!”

However with the creative freedom of “The Big Screen” theme come challenges, something Gauteng designer Paledi Segapo is acutely aware of.

“Whenever anything seems easy it’s often very difficult to execute,” says Segapo. “You don’t want to overdo and you can’t underwhelm. It’s tricky to strike a correct balance, and you never know what that balance is until you execute it.”

“It gives credible exposure to established designers and also gives everyone a chance to be a fashionista for the day,” said Andre Martin, iconic Durban designer.

“To have the opportunity to showcase at the Vodacom Durban July is a great thing for any designer because it’s such a huge platform for fashion,” said Durban designer Vino Moodley.

The eight designers in the Vodacom Durban July Invited Designer Showcase 2014, presented by LIPSY London, are:

Andre Martin
Casey Jeanne
Kathrin Kidger
Karen Monk Klijnstra
Zama Mathe
Vino Moodley
Paledi Segapo
David Tlale

The 2014 Vodacom Durban July will be staged at  Greyville racecourse on Saturday 5 July 2014.