Scenes of joy and tears of happiness erupted as the top three places of the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Award competition was announced on Saturday.
“This is amazing. I am flabbergasted. I am excited beyond anything,” said winning designer Andile Cele, who relocated from Verulam to Pietermaritzburg after being accepted to join the uMgungundlovu TVET College fashion department.
Her winning design was inspired by the Ndebele culture and South African artist and global icon, Dr Esther Mahlangu, who is known for her bold, large-scale contemporary paintings.
Lecturers Bongumusa Bhengu and Martin John Steenkamp had only praise for the young designer who has shown promise from the beginning of her studies.
“From the get-go, she showed commitment and talent – always giving of her best. She is always the first one in and the last one to leave. We are so excited for her and know she will go far”.
Her prize includes a “fashion” travel package to Johannesburg to experience SA Fashion Week Spring Summer collection, courtesy of Race Coast and SA Fashion Week. She will also receive a R70 000 bursary courtesy Hollywood Foundation, R10 000 in cash compliments of Race Coast and Schweppes and a R5 000 gift card courtesy of Gateway Theatre of Shopping.
For second prize winner Mangoba Mnguni from the IGODA incubator college, the achievement left him speechless. It is the first time the college has participated in the competition.
“I am so proud of my students and what they have done,” said college owner Zola Shabangu. “This is the first time that they have entered a competition like this and look at the talent that they have displayed.”
Mguni’s design was inspired by the Basotho culture. His fabric was created with lifelines that reflect the struggles of his own life.
His prizes include a R50 000 bursary from the Hollywood Foundation, R3 000 in cash compliments of Race Coast and Schweppes, and a R2 000 Gift Card courtesy of Gateway Theatre of Shopping.
Third prize went to Mpilo Sithole from the Durban University of Technology. She received a R30 000 bursary from the Hollywood Foundation, R2 000 in cash compliments of Race Coast and Schweppes and a R1 000 gift card thanks to Gateway Theatre of Shopping.
Each one of the 10 finalists received a cash prize of R2 000 thanks to Race Coast and Schweppes.
