As you know, every first weekend of July, the fashion world descents to Durban, KwaZulu-Natal to be a part of the Hollywoodbets Durban July where the cremé de la cremé showcase what they are truly made of when it comes their fashion senses. This year’s theme was ‘Out of this World’ where prominent figures from celebrities, entrepreneurs and influencers battled it out to see who will be the king and queen of this year’s event. The annual event also gave young upcoming fashion designers the opportunity to show their beautifully crafted work and also be ranked one of the best designers.
When it comes to the Hollywoodbets Durban July 2023 Best Young Designer Award, presented by Durban Fashion Fair, Lwandle Zwezwe from Pietermaritzburg School of Fashion took first place for their religious inspiration design. Lwandle’s kept with the “Out of this World” by focusing more on the religious aspect of her designs. Having talked to the Hollywood Bets Durban July media team, Lwandle expressed how excited and overwhelmed she was when they announced her as the Best Young Designer at the extravagant event as she fetched her winnings of R50 000 study bursary and received other prizes sponsored by Hollywoodbets Foundation. In second place, Durban University student, Thabiso Ncanana received R30 000 worth of bursary funding as well as R3 000 in cash and a shopping gift card worth R2 000. In third place saw another Durban University student by the name of Andile Nsele taking a bursary fund worth R20 000 along with R2 000 in cash and R1 000 gift card.
When it comes to the best female dressed participant at the annual event, actress and entrepreneur, Jessica Nkosi, took the prize as she showcased her white dress draped in purple roots designed by Ruberto Scholtz (which you can view on her Instagram page: @jessicankosi) and when it comes to the best dressed male was awarded to Sowetan S Mag editor, Emmanuel Tjiya.
Finally, we reach to the ‘Most Striking Couple’ category, where in first place saw Brenda Waring take the award for the second time alongside her partner in Pamela Shane. In second place saw Tyler Grendon and Kayla Anne Lindsey who were modelling the fashionwear created by Sanele Mkhize. In third place saw the designer sisters in Catherine and Irene Nolan for their creation that was modelled by Cyra van der Merwe and Lungelo Mathonsi.
Written by Matabo Manala