Visitors to Gateway Theatre of Shopping were spoilt to world class fashion and entertainment as the centre hosted the annual Vodacom Durban July Preview Fashion Show for the seventh year running on the 3rd of July.
The Vodacom Durban July draws heavily on horseracing’s deeply-rooted tradition of elegance and chic fashion, and this year tapped into the formal style expected from an exclusive dinner on a cruise liner at the Captain’s Table, from which the theme was appropriately derived.
The stage was appropriately styled to the theme, and left the audience in awe as it revolved to reveal a swing band to open the show and SA’s well known electro-swing band, Goodluck, to close the fashion show.
The show celebrated race day fashion by featuring the Fashion Challenge finalists and Invited Designers showstopper collections.
The VDJ Fashion Challenge competition designs spoke to an era of style and sophistication, and encompassed the Vodacom Durban July’s overall spirit of on-trend, elegant and beautifully executed designs.
The Invited Designer Showcase was by far the most glamorous element of the Vodacom Durban July Fashion Experience. The designers for this year’s Invited Designer Showcase were Craig Jacobs (Fundudzi), Terrence Bray, Colleen Eitzen, Brenda Quin (Diva), Sibu Msimang, Dale McCarthy & Jane Wolff (McCarthy & Wolff Designs), Hangwani Nengovhela (Rubicon) and Haroun Hansrot.
The show also included Gateway stores Kathrin Kidger, Forever New, Guess, Edgars (with brands River Island and Express), showcasing their race day theme interpretations.
The concert following Gateway’s Preview Fashion Show featured top local performers, including Goodluck, Shortstraw, Ryan the DJ and Protoculture! The music kept the crowd entertained late into the night.
SPEND AND WIN – WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT
In the weeks leading up to the main event, Gateway customer’s were given the opportunity to win a luxury Cruise in association with Marie Claire and MSC Cruises valued at R 40,000! All customers needed to do was spend R 350 or more at any Gateway stores. The winner was drawn live directly after the Fashion Show by emcee Nicole Flint and Gateway Centre Manager, Akash Maharaj. Santhakumarie Moodley was drawn as the lucky winner, and is very excited to go on her trip.