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It’s time for frumpy gowns and badly fitted fascinators, but those attending next Saturday’s Durban July needn’t make those mistakes.
The country’s top designers have weighed in with how they are interpreting this year’s theme: It is Time.
Designer Gert-Johan Coetzee (GJC) is excited about the opportunities the theme presents punters.
“When it comes to the July, especially the girls that shop at GJC, they want something they can wear again. It is really just about accessorising and being timeless on your own – and that is a great theme for yourself,” he said.
Coetzee, known for his extravagant creations, has taken a literal interpretation for one of his celebrity clients.
“We did it very differently for many different people. For instance, for Lerato Kganyago we did a certain interpretation of the theme, which was more literal. And for Minnie Dlamini, who will be on her husband Quinton Jones’ arm, we really just went with a beautiful, power couple, timeless look for them,” he said.
Jones will wear a suit from Coetzee’s never-before-seen menswear range.
And although he won’t divulge any names, Coetzee did let slip that he will be dressing “lots of government officials”.
“What I find when it comes to politicians, even at this year’s state of the nation address, is that they are going less flashy. They really are drawing back and getting down to the business of running the country,” he said.
“So, I definitely see a step back in the taste level of the government officials. They don’t want to be ‘extra’ and over the top, which isn’t always as entertaining for us as fashionistas.”
David Tlale is dressing TV presenter Lalla Hirayama and radio mogul Thabo “Tbo Touch” Molefe and is focusing on “timeless elegance”.
“You get to reflect on past fashion and on current and future trends,” he said.
“For us as a brand, we reflected on what the essence of horse racing is about and the fashion at the races.
“Over the years we have seen how it evolved and became a costume party and people came with unwearable garments. Let’s bring the glamour and the sophistication back into the horse racing event.”
Tlale advised everyone at this year’s July to remember that it is a daytime event and your ensemble should fit the occasion.
“It is not an evening event, so we shy away from any evening fabrications and dresses with trails. People must just stay away from evening dresses. Stay away from white. The Durban July is not a circus; it’s not for clowns; it’s for people who want to be seen in fashion,” he said.
TV personality Boity Thulo will attend the July in a custom-made Orapeleng Modutle creation.
Modutle, who also kept a tight lip on “lots” of politicians and a politician’s wife he’ll be dressing, says this year’s theme is all about creating the ultimate fashion moment.
“We moved away from beading and that bridal feel. It is a focus on 3-D and architectural tailoring. That is our take on the July. It is about structure, beautiful fabrics and tailoring with a new approach,” he said.
Modutle gave a stern warning to those planning to wear hats and fascinators.
“You must do it tastefully. People just go for a hat and a dress, something we have seen so many times at the July. I think it has been overdone and it is nothing new,” he said.
Design duo Quiteria and George, known for their over-the-top creations, have also embraced the theme, but caution against making the biggest fashion crime of all.
“It is a horse racing event, it needs to be classy and tasteful; it is not a costume party where you just look tacky. It’s all about opulent lifestyle, even the marquees are about luxury. Luxury does not mean tacky,” said Quiteria.
They are dressing actress Phuti Khomo, as well as former supermodel Babalwa Mneno who, they say, wanted to keep it simple.
“[Mneno’s] outfit is all about pop culture, it is about time, what’s happening on the streets; it is about how women or young girls in the middle class want to look and feel,” he said.
“She has a fantastic body and she’s [going to] rock it. She is very cosmopolitan and doesn’t really care much about what the world thinks.”
