Byo designers hit Durban Fashion Fair

Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
THREE local designers, Zanele Dube, Sidumiso Tshuma and Saneliso Mpofu will be travelling to South Africa next week to showcase their collections at the annual Durban Fashion Fair.

The Bulawayo designers, Tshuma of Shadow by Sidumiso, Mpofu of Sanah Designs and Dube of Zah Designs will showcase alongside renowned South African designers including David Tlale and Thula Sindi.

Now in its fourth edition, the Durban Fashion Week will be held from August 26 to 29.

Dube and Mpofu who will be showcasing their talent out of the country’s borders for the first time said they were grateful for the opportunity.

“I’m really excited to be showcasing at the Durban fashion show. It’s a great opportunity for any designer to participate at international shows such as this one. My collection will represent a sophisticated and bold woman,” said Dube.

Mpofu, who was attached at Edgars Stores as a designer said: “Durban Fashion Fair is a good platform for me to penetrate the commercial world of fashion. Having been considered from hundreds of applicants is humbling.

“It’s a good push and I’m really grateful to Edgars Stores for training me to be the best.”

Tshuma who is no newcomer at the fashion fair said being invited for the second year in a row was evidence that hardwork pays.

“I’m excited to be invited once again to showcase at the Durban Fashion Fair. When you put in work in perfecting your craft, it eventually shows. The fashion fair is very competitive, you’ve designers such as Thula Sindi, David Tlale and Paledi Segapo showcasing, and hence an invitation to showcase again is appreciated. I’m going to do my best to represent Zimbabwe fashion,” said Tshuma.

The three designers’ participation at the fair is a result of the twinning relationship between the Bulawayo City Council and their Durban counterparts.

The Durban Fashion Fair is one of the leading fashion events in Africa. Through the hosting of the event, over 1,500 temporary jobs are created with 500 created through development, mentoring and training of designers.