As the fashion community reacted to the announcement of the Hollywoodbets Durban July theme for 2022, the student designer community has responded to the new incentives put in place for the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Award presented by Durban Fashion Fair competition.
This kick-starts the annual raceday fashion programme.
At a meeting of the heads of the fashion design departments from all the colleges across KwaZulu-Natal to brief in details of the important student competition, the Hollywoodbets Foundation stepped in to offer an extra R100 000 in incentives to the students that emerge in the top three places of the competition.
Fashionistas getting vital information on the 2022 Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Award presented by Durban Fashion Fair (back, from left) Stephen Marshall (Gold Circle), Leigh Schubert (HDJ Invited Designer), Kwame Kuzwayo (Lindiwe Kuzwayo Academy of Fashion), Mischal Bhika (Pmb School of Fashion), Jaeden Mahabeer (Pmb School of Fashion) (front, from left) Nonku Mthembu (DFF), Hlengiwe Gumede (Fezile Fashion Skills Academy), Luhadra Kirby (DUT), Kiara Gounder (DUT), Helen Smith (DUT), Nonhlanhla Khumalo (DFF), Keegan Naidoo (Vega), and Precious Mbatha (Gold Circle)
“The winner will receive an amount of R50 000, the designer in second place will receive R30 000, and the designer in third place will receive R20 000’” explained Hollywoodbets Group Transformation Manager, Babongile Mkhize.
“In an attempt to promote skills development and to ensure that these designers have a promising future, these amounts can go towards their student loan or funding for their future studies.” she said.
“We are invested in the development of education in the communities that we operate in. We believe that we need to put the correct building blocks in place for a better South Africa ,” added Hollywoodbets PR and Communications Manager, Samantha Gounden.
“Announcing our bursary contribution last Wednesday was extremely special. We got to see the happiness on the faces of design colleagues and we knew that we were making an impact in some way. We hope to continue growing this relationship,” she added.
“Hollywoodbets firmly believes in supporting the communities that we operate in by helping to create positive change. As a group we feel that it is our fundamental responsibility to do our part when it comes to helping develop, grow and empower others around us. The policy is committed to making a contribution to the upliftment of South Africa and its people,” said Gounden.
“There was such energy, a raw excitement and optimism in the room,” said Hollywoodbets Durban July fashion programme director, Tiffany Prior.
“The past two years have been tough for the colleges, but in 2022 there is a renewed energy and commitment, and real sense that there is a clear goal in mind for the students,” she added.
“There hasn’t been this level of interest, excitement and anticipation for many years,” she added.
“The colleges lapped up the direction and input they got from Ken Tweddell, who unpacked the detail behind the theme and then respected designer Leigh Schubert, who has been one of the competition judges, gave invaluable insight into what each entry needs to focus on,” said Prior.
Schubert stressed to the young designers that their work should focus on the sophistication of the event and avoid the temptation to produce extravagant garments.
“It’s all about accessibility and creating a garment that people will want to wear,” said Schubert. “At the same time each designer must be allowed the space to allow their own unique handwriting to come through.”
“As a judge we look for research and restraint but we really want to see each designers unique signature,” she added.
“We are so fortunate in this country to have so many shows and opportunities like the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Award that provide platforms for emerging designers to put themselves out there,” she noted.
Hollywood Foundation CSI Programme Objectives:
- To make a sustainable and positive impact in the communities that they operate in
- To develop and enhance our reputation as a caring and responsible corporate citizen
- To enhance their credibility
- To empower the previously disadvantaged
- To encourage team volunteering
- To create customer goodwill and loyalty
- To uplift sport in our country
