THE long awaited Durban Fashion Fair was officially opened by the Mayor of eThekwini Municipality, Councillor James Nxumalo accompanied by the Deputy Mayor Nomvuzo Shabalala at the Durban Exhibition Centre today (22-08-13).

It was evident amid the buzzing atmosphere of media and designers that this year’s exhibition was going to outperform last year’s one.

Mayor Nxumalo said the Municipality remains committed to developing the fashion industry because this sector has a potential of addressing problems of unemployment and poverty.

“We are aiming to showcase local fashion talent so that they will get all the exposure they need to be known across the globe. The Durban Fashion Fair has grown in leaps and bounds in a very short space of time and in the process has empowered lots of fashion designers as the City funded their internships in Milan, Italy to learn more about latest fashion trends,” he said.

This year about 40 local and international designers will be showcasing their creative designs and there are 55 stalls where fashion companies will be exhibiting their numerous creations.

Nicky Pollock, the Stakeholder and Managing Director of KZN based retailer Mr Price Apparel, said that the clothing industry is one of the fastest growing industries and the unique cultural experiences in Durban add to the creative talents produced here.

“Some of the best South African design talent comes out of Durban so what we will see over the next four days will surely astound us. Ensuring that there is a pool of creative designers is what Mr Price will continue working towards,” she added.

The exhibition is open to the public but entrance to the fashion shows is not free. Tickets to the exciting fashion shows at the Durban Exhibition Centre are now on sale through Computicket at just R100 per person per show and R50 for students per show.

For more information contact Thabo Mofokeng on 031 311 4820 or 0827317456 or e-mail thabo1.mfokeng@durban.gov.za

Issued by the eThekwini Municipality Communications Unit contact Sane Shandu on 031 311 4806, email sanelisiwe.shandu@durban.gov.za

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