The evolution of the Durban Fashion Fair into what it is today – an eagerly anticipated annual event over four days featuring more than 54 designers – is testament to the vision of the eThekwini Municipality and its Business Support, Tourism and Markets Unit. This vision has become a reality.
Both this year’s theme and the continued focus on the economic impact of fashion is a perfect fit with the Durban Business Fair. Again, the two events will take place side by side and the DBF’s theme ‘Journey of Innovation’ will resonate with those participating in both.
Innovation is indeed at the heart of the DFF as well as central to the individual journeys of top designers who started out as mentees and are now major influencers within the world of African fashion.
“The one thing that our ‘Evolution is Elementary’ theme does not imply is that putting together a four-day long event such as the DFF is easy. It is anything but. Because of this, we pay homage not only to the designers whose creativity and hard work adds plenty of glitz to the runway but also to the many people working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that this event goes from strength to strength every year”, says the Durban Business Fair show convener Sindi Shangase who is the Programme Manager for the BSTMU.
There’ll be a peek into the nitty gritty ‘business of fashion’ – with an interactive Youth Connect panel discussion in the ICC’s Hall 1 on Friday, September 27 between 9am and 11.30am (Registration is at 8am).
This will feature leading industry players within the Digital and Social Media related industry – Aaron Lynch (Social Media Specialist – Superbalist.com); Molife Kumona (Online Editor & Head of Digital – Conde Nast SA); Nolusindiso Mchunu (a fashion and lifestyle influencer) and lastly Roberta Nonjabulo Gasa (Managing Director of SmartiPants Technologies).
The panel discussion topic will focus on “How Digital and Social Media can build your brand and grow your business” followed by a Q&A session – which will be facilitated by TV & Radio personality, Selby “Selbeyonce” Mkhize. Admission is free!
Selby “Selbeyonce” Mkhize will also be co-hosting the 2019 DFF Recognition Awards on Saturday, September 28 with our reigning Miss South Africa for 2019, Zozibini Tunzi.
Follow all the fashion action at our DFF Facebook page: Durban Fashion Fair or on Twitter / Instagram @Dbnfashion_fair or #DFF2019 / #madeindurban / #supportlocal