What to wear to the Vodacom Durban July
Durban fashion designer Gideon gives us some last-minute tips on how to interpret this year's Durban July theme, as well as some advice on how to look good without cleaning out your bank account.
Victoria Beckham would not be out of place at this year's Durban July. In fact, the theme practically screams her name.
‘Posh? Oh My Gosh!' is likely to spark the imagination of royal wannabes and socialites alike this year.
Durban fashion designer, Gideon, says while the sophisticated theme implies big hats, you don't have to go that route to be elegant.
"A lot of people think that if they wear a big hat they are sophisticated. I think you can make it a bit of fun. You can wear a beautiful suit but with a quirky twist, for example, a bright colour, a beautiful little belt. It doesn't have to be stiff and formal," he says.
Does the sophisticated theme mean we will see less skin at the event? Absolutely not, says Gideon.
"At the Durban July you are always going to have people who will show skin. People who are used to doing that will continue doing that. Durban people are quite strong headed and they really do what they want to. They are quite fashion forward [and] they like to push the envelope as well; so I definitely think we are still going to see a lot of skin.”
(Above: Terrence Bray's interpretation of the theme. Bray is one of the eight designers whose work will be featured as part of the Vodacom Durban July Invited Designer Showcase)
(Above: The Ruff Tung collection by Jean-Paul Botha and Ludwig Bezuidenhout at the Vodacom Durban July Fashion Showcase in June)
(Above: Francois Vedemme's collection for the Vodacom Durban July Invited Designer Showcase)
Gideon says if all else fails make sure you follow these two simple tips:
"You have to dress for your figure or you will stand out like a sore thumb. That's a definite no-no. Take a pair of high heels but also take a pair of flats. There's nothing worse than seeing people walking around barefoot," he says.
For those of you on a tight budget, Gideon says you can still stand out of the crowd.
"You don't have to spend a lot to look good. You can go to a place like Zara, Top Shop or even Mr Price. Get something that is very basic and accessorise it with a piece of jewellery and I'm sure you have a beautiful pair of shoes. Just be clever with what you do. I think the theme this year is quite nice because people don't have to go to a designer and have something custom made. There is definitely stuff in the shops you could buy.”
The award winning designer says there are also a lot of trends you can incorporate into your Durban July fashion to ensure you put your best foot forward.
Gideon's trends to watch out for when shopping
- Pointy 40s, 50s, 60s shoes are coming back.
- Colour blocking with plain, basic colours
- Simple silhouettes.
- Lots of gold and bold jewellery
- Beautiful belts
(Above: Gideon)
Gideon will be dressing some local celebs, but he says you'll have to wait and see on the big day.
- Tamlyn Canham
(Thumbnail image: Haroun Hansrot's collection for the Vodacom Durban July Invited Designer Showcase. Photos via Facebook/The Official Vodacom Durban July/Anthony Grote and Vaughan Treyvellan/Gameplan Media)
POSH? OH MY GOSH!
It’s classy this year so mind your P’s and Q’s,
To give you direction, here are a few clues.
Have a look at Ascot, so proper so right,
A touch of class, a couturier’s delight.
It’s the look and feel we’re talking about,
So refined, quite grand without a doubt.
At Longchamp the French do it with flair,
Understated elegance in their finery fair.
The Melbourne Cup is one special day,
Even the Aussies sport the fashion way.
So what’s Durban to do to make this unfold?
Tasteful, chic style, the story be told.
Year twenty thirteen is lucky for most,
Raise the fashion bar on KZN’s east coast.
A modern interpretation of days gone bye,
Fair ladies, fine gentlemen will catch the eye.
A final clue if you’re still in doubt,
It’s posh, posh, posh we’re talking about.