AWAKENING NEW TALENT IN FASHION
- O&A Team
- August 29, 2025
- Features, Life & Style
- DFF Fashion Development Programme DFF mentees, DFF Model Programme, DUKE “Clothe Your Soul”, Durban Fashion Fair Mentorship Programme, Indoni Fashion House, Libo Creations, VFK (Victor Fashion Kingdom), Zama Gumede
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Out & About looked into the future of fashion with the Durban Fashion Fair
The 14th annual Durban Fashion Fair (DFF) under the theme: “The Awakening” is due to take place from 17 to 19 September at the Durban Exhibition Centre. It will feature 60 designers from across Africa and includes the runway debut of the DFF Class of 2025 mentees.
The DFF mentorship falls under the holistic Fashion Development Programme, a flagship initiative by eThekwini Municipality that has, since its launch 13 years ago, trained over 350 emerging designers. Many have gone on to launch successful labels and boutiques, exhibit internationally, and create jobs in the local fashion sector.
This year, 18 DFF mentees are hard at work preparing to showcase their collections and launch their labels. They were selected from a myriad of applicants in March based on creativity, technical ability, and business potential.
The mentorship includes training in garment construction, textile knowledge, sustainable fashion, marketing, social media, and brand development. Regular critique sessions allow mentees to refine their collections with feedback from industry professionals.
“The Durban Fashion Fair Mentorship Programme does far more than teach technical skills. It shapes the next generation of designers by nurturing their vision and voices. For many young creatives, the fashion industry can feel overwhelming or inaccessible and this mentorship provides guidance, insight, and a safe space to explore ideas. It also instils a sense of discipline, resilience, and confidence that is essential for sustaining a career in fashion.
“Ultimately, the programme empowers young designers to step into the industry with both skill and self-assurance and leave a lasting mark on South African fashion,” says programme head Fezile Mdletshe, managing director and founder of the Fezile Fashion Skills Academy and the Fezile Mdletshe Fashion Agency in KwaMashu.
Initially, the mentees’ programme provided no more than a platform for designers to showcase their work. Over the years, it evolved into a finely tuned mentorship programme that provides not only design skills but also business knowledge and brand development.
THROUGH THE EYES OF FUTURE DESIGNERS
New designers who have and showcased their work on the Durban Fashion Fair runway are now an established part of the Durban fashion scene. Examples of mentees that have built successful brands are Kwenzi Nkomo of Indoni Fashion House, Zama Gumede, VFK (Victor Fashion Kingdom), Libo Creations and DUKE “Clothe Your Soul”, a label created by Umlazi born designer Sandile Duke Mngadi.
This year’s participants are looking forward to following in their footsteps.
“I am an emerging fashion designer who brings creativity with passion to design unique pieces that make a statement. I am proud to be the founder of my brand, Dube Atelier. I spotted a poster on Instagram, took a chance and submitted my documents – and I got selected. I am thrilled to be a part of the DFF Mentorship Programme. It’s a great opportunity and a dream come true. I am very eager to continue learning, perfecting my skills in pattern making, textiles, sustainable fashion,” emerging Umlazi designer S’busiswe Dube.
Fellow mentee Karl Flynn from Glenwood adds: “You get to meet a whole bunch of new people, especially really good, talented designers. This is one of those things that I think every designer should try in their lifetime. Ultimately, I want to start my own brand using the knowledge that I’ve gained from the programme. I look forward to opening my own business and ultimately providing jobs for a team of people.”
Programme head Fezile Mdletshe describes the class of 2025 as inspiring.
“Seeing the mentees grow has been a highlight in itself. I’ve watched them take their ideas and transform them into cohesive, well-thought-out collections, experiment confidently with fabrics and really refine their technical skills. The Critique Sessions have been particularly exciting, as it’s amazing to see them respond to feedback and elevate their garments and runway presentations. Overall, their creativity, skill, and confidence have grown tremendously, and I can’t wait to see all their hard work come to life on the DFF 2025 ramp,” she says.
Mdletshe has headed up this programme for the past five years, providing consistent support and guidance to emerging designers.
“I focus on business coaching and mentorship and assist mentees in building sustainable brands and an understanding of the commercial side of fashion, including client relations, brand positioning, and marketing through social media,” she explains.
She also conducts one-on-one mentorship sessions, helping mentees with practical challenges such as choosing fabrics or aligning their designs with their overall concepts.
PREPARING TO TAKE OFF FROM THE DFF RUNWAY
This year’s mentees are incredibly innovative. Audiences can expect bold, cohesive collections that demonstrate creative flair, thoughtful fabric choices and professional execution. The 2025 showcase will highlight the talent, resilience, and growth these designers have achieved through the mentorship programme.
“They are on a transformative journey that goes beyond simply learning to make clothes. They are learning how to take an idea from concept to a fully realized collection, thinking carefully about design, structure, and the story behind each piece. Part of their growth involves understanding how different fabrics behave, how textures and colours interact, and how to adapt their vision to what is practical and wearable. The Critique Sessions play a critical role in this process, offering guidance, constructive feedback, and industry insight that challenges them to refine their work while staying true to their individual styles. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch them develop confidence in their own creative decisions, problem-solve design challenges, and cultivate their unique aesthetics. By the end of the programme, they are not only more technically skilled but also more self-assured, imaginative, and prepared to present polished collections on the runway,” says Mdletshe.
The 2025 mentees will be recognised during the DFF Recognition Awards on 26 September. Judges will evaluate creativity, technical skill, collection cohesion, originality, and market readiness. They also consider professionalism and growth demonstrated by the mentees throughout the mentorship programme.
A MODEL START TO FASHION
Also part of this year’s DFF is the Model Training and Bootcamp, which aims to put first timers on to the ramp. This year, there will be 10 are standard-size female models, 10 male models, and four plus-size female models. They were scouted during the Regional DFF model search roadshows. They are trained by experienced Durban models with over 18 years in the industry.
The selection process began with open casting events held across eThekwini from 7 to 20 June 2025. The 24 selected finalists are now undergoing two months of intensive training, which covers runway techniques, posing, model etiquette, and fitness guidance.
Since its inception 13 years ago, the DFF Model Programme has trained over 300 models, many of whom are now successful professionals signed to top agencies and participating in major fashion events, including New York and Paris Fashion Weeks.
