By: Sandile Zikhali

Talented young fashion designers showcased creations made from old clothes at a fashion show held at Sterling House Residence, one of the outsourced residences at the Durban University of Technology on Saturday.

The show, themed “Saving the environment,” was unlike any other fashion show.  The costumes were all made from old or worn-out clothes that were altered and converted to fashionable garments.

Simo Gagayi, one of the organisers and a fashion designer said that they wanted to come up with something that is unique and fashionable.

“I know there have been shows where people use recyclable materials like plastic and cardboard but we wanted to come up with something that people can actually wear on a daily basis,” Gagayi said.

For most fashion shows, the models are usually thin and slender but the organisers said that they wanted to add a twist and deviate from this.

Persada Residence Advisor, Skhindi Nkosi, who is also part of the team that organised the show, said that he has always had a vision for a modelling show for those thick and fully figured ladies who never get to participate in modelling contests.

“I have always wanted to create a platform for full ladies.  When I was introduced to Simo’s idea I said to myself this is the best time where creative ideas can come together and brilliance would be an outcome,” Nkosi said.

The designs that were showcased included trousers transformed into shorts, vests made from lace and neck pieces made from old clothes.

Winiswa Mavutha, another designer said that even though it was tough getting the whole thing together, she is proud to be part of it.

“I am big fan of fashion and I always want to keep up with the current trends and this gave me a chance to be part of something I love,” said Mavutha,

Sindiswa Mthalane, a model on that evening, said “I am very proud to be part of the team that participated in this fashion show and these designs are perfect, they are something I could wear in public.”

The crowd seemed impressed by the designs as they stood up and applauded for every garment whilst ladies made their way down the runway.

“I am really impressed by the designs and these designs are garments any lady can wear in public and look stylish while wearing them,” said Sabelo Zungu, a photography student.