KwaZulu-Natal’s gay community is expected to wow audiences at a fashion show titled Sivunule Ngesishweshwe: a KZN LGBT Fashion and Hair Show, organised by the Durban Lesbian and Gay Community and Health Centre’s Youth Wellbeing Programme.

Taking Place at the Protea Edward Hotel, on 30 July, the event will be a platform to showcase talent possessed by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in that province.

According to Siphokazi Nombande, the centre’s Youth Leader the objective of the event is to engage young people in campaign activities that will allow them the freedom to express themselves.

“It is also to encourage individual potential discovery and entrepreneurship. So apart from the main attraction, there will be an exhibition to showcase designers’ extraordinary creations, which you cannot find at your ordinary departmental stores”, said.

She added, “Guests will get the first opportunity, not only to mingle with the fashion designers and hair stylists but also to purchase some of their favorite items. Explaining the process, Nombande said “the fashion designers were given a fabric (isishweshwe) to design female and male garments, for the competition and this is what they would be judged on.”

“The garments comprise casual, formal and street-wise wear. Designers were also given white golf hats with which to do as they pleased, to express their creativity and sense of style. They have been judged on these already but the winner will be announced at the fashion and hair show. The designers will work hand in hand with the hair stylist to ensure that the hair style compliments the garment and accessories utilized”, Nombande further explained.

The design environment is the hardest and most competitive industry according to Londeka Masinga, one of last year’s winners.

“I would advise young designers to take part in this opportunity, to show their talent and to not take it for granted. This will make you or break you, use this and take it with both hands.”

This fashion spectacle was founded last year and was previously known as the “Styling Durban: A LGBT Fashion Show”.

It was changed this year, with the aim to create a platform for all those who have fashion design and hair styling training and those born with the talent.