The Hollywood Foundation and the Durban Fashion Fair celebrate Rising Stars

The Hollywood Foundation and eThekwini Municipality's Durban Fashion Fair (DFF) Development Programme celebrated and congratulated the Rising Stars at an event held in Umhlanga. This year’s contestants are all emerging fashion designers who were grateful to receive much-needed assistance in July after showcasing at the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

The Hollywood Foundation announced their pledge of R250 000 towards the DFF’s Rising Stars, during the semi-finals of the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Award, that was held at Gateway Theatre of Shopping. The nine Rising Stars were selected as part of the Enterprise and Supplier Development programme at the Hollywood Foundation, following a vetting process in the form of interviews with Group Transformation Manager, Babongile Mkhize. The funding was awarded in the form of equipment and any other tools that the designers would require to conduct their day-to-day business. Some of the fashion houses that received assistance are owned by emerging designers, and included Glamisa Exquisite (Pty) Ltd, Suzie Dlamini Apparel, Paul Kotini, Indoni Fashion House, Libo Creation, Zaviar Trading and House of Saint Luke.

The event took place at the Hollywoodbets Head Office in Umhlanga, on 4 August. The event was a celebration for the Rising Stars that received support, and included the presence of the nine designers, representatives from the Hollywood Foundation and the Durban Fashion Fair, as well as the eThekwini Municipality’s Economic Development and Planning Committee Chairperson, Cllr Thanduxolo Sabelo. The event included heart-warming speeches to motivate and uplift designers to imprint their mark in the fashion world.  

“We are excited as eThekwini under the banner of the DFF development programme, to join the Hollywood Foundation in handing over equipment that will assist these young fashion entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, increase productivity and ensure their sustainability,” said Cllr Sabelo.

“It was an honour for the Hollywood Foundation to make this contribution towards the DFF’s Rising Stars. At the Hollywood Foundation, we are always striving to make a difference in the lives of up-and-coming businessmen and women. During the vetting process, it was clear to me, and the company, that these designers have a promising future, and the assistance that we provided will hopefully encourage them to build their businesses, and in turn, contribute towards our economy,” said Babongile Mkhize, Group Transformation Manager at the Hollywood Foundation.

Speaking on behalf of the nine DFF Rising Stars, Mxolisi Mkhize thanked all parties involved and extends a heartfelt thanks and appreciation. He added, “All items sponsored will contribute to our productivity, quality and delivery. Overall we are humbled and appreciative and we want to encourage future designers to apply for these programmes as there will be so much in stall for them.”