Fashion is Boxing Smart in Durban this December!
Fashion will be popping in Durban this festive season – quite literally.
The Box Shop (a stylish pop up fashion shop) will be doing a pop-up tour of the city from the 1st of December until the 3rd of December 2017. The city’s fashion lovers can visit three different locations - North Beach, Morningside and Umlazi – for some urban chic fashion.
The Pop-Up tour will showcase the Spring/Summer 2017 collections of fourteen local designers from Durban and Johannesburg.
These include: Diva by Brenda Quin (by Brenda Quin), Frida Couture (by Yvette C Ngushirwa), Indoni Fashion House (by Kwenzi Nkomo), Marparkisha (by Sibu Msimang), Elppag (by Khetha Kweyama), Skinny Sbu Socks (by Sibusiso Nqwenya) and many more.
According to Sindi Shangase, founder of the Durban Fashion Fair (DFF) and manager of the eThekwini municipality’s business support programme, the Pop-Up Tour is another fashion first to come out of the DFF which has not only identified emerging Durban fashion talent but also mentored them so they are better acquainted with the business side of fashion and take their creations to market. Shangase said that Durban was taking a leaf out of the fashion book of the iconic Vilakazi Street in Soweto which has its own Box Shop.
The Box Shop is a pre-retail incubator designed to promote new and up-and-coming Soweto-based designers and brands and give opportunities to small businesses. It sells designer gear as well as locally manufactured cosmetics and accessories.
It was launched in April of 2016 as a business incubator to support women and youth owned enterprises and provide a platform for access to markets for emerging businesses. The Durban leg of the Pop-Up Tour is the result of a partnership between eThekwini Municipality, Citi Foundation, Durban Tourism and the Durban Fashion Fair.
It also forms part of the Box Shop retail omni-channel expansion strategy to generate data, public awareness, interest and build relationships with Durban partners, entrepreneurs and customers.
“The Box Shop Pop-Up tour is part of a preliminary market penetration strategy for the 2nd Box Shop physical outlet coming to Durban in 2018 with the hopes of securing two locations in Florida Road and North Beach, “explains Shangase.
“80% of the brands that will be sold come from local designers across South Africa. While we are a fashion retail business, we are aware of the struggles new brands go through to find suitable points of sale. Like the eThekwini Municipality, The Box Shop is committed to helping designers gain access to markets, find the right locations and promote local design,” adds Sifiso Moyo, co-founder of The Box Shop.
Come on down and support your local designers at the nearest “Box Shop” Pop-up Store near you on Friday, December 1st between 12h00 and 22h00 at the North Beach venue next to the Tourism Offices on the Beachfront.
Then on Saturday, December 2nd you can find us on the corner of Gordon and Florida Roads between 12h00 and 22h00 and on Sunday, December 3rd you can find us at the infamous Max's Lifestyle Restaurant situated at 328 Mbe Road in Umlazi between 12h00 and 22h00.
To find out more about our designers participating in the Box Shop Pop Up store visit us at: Twitter: @theboxshopsa / @dbnfashion_fair | Instagram: @the_box_shop_sa / @dbnfashion_fair | Facebook: The Box Shop / Durban Fashion Fair
List of Brands in the Pop-up
Brenda Quin – Diva by Brenda Quin
Brenda Quin’s fashion career covers not only designing but also, retail, wholesale and manufacturing. She prides herself in her strong intuition of what women want to wear. She has always emphasised the feminine - combining softness with boldness and flair. Brenda’s current range epitomises her style - drama with practicality, mixed with uniqueness - just what women want!
Yvette C Ngushirwa – Frida Couture
Frida Couture is a designer that prides herself on always using the latest and sustainable fabric for her ranges. She believes that there are 4 types of classic women, that of modern, preppy, glamorous and vintage, which most women can identify with – however one will resonate more than others. Currently, her creations are an equal combination of glamorous and vintage with a touch of preppy!
Kwenzi Nkomo- Indoni Fashion House
Founded by Kwenzi Nkomo, a young woman from the Lamontville Township, Indoni Fashion House is a design emporium situated in Durban.
Indoni, is taken from a Zulu phrase “indoni yamanzi” meaning “wow….this girl has natural beauty”.
Nkomo has a love for Afro-inspired textures, cuts, materials and trends. The brand’s main target market is women of all races who share her passion for Afro inspired designs with a contemporary modern feel.
Sibu Msimang – Marparkisha
Fashion Designer Sibu Msimang has been in the industry for over 10 years and has showcased at numerous fashion shows namely: Durban Fashion Fair, SAFW, Joburg fashion week, as well as international fashion shows in India and London and has graced the pages of magazines such as Glamour, Bona and Cosmopolitan. As a plus size lady herself, Sibu is inspired by the ladies she meets every day whom are plus size and struggle to find edgy on trend clothing. Marparkisha Designs is currently available at DFF Emporium
Armor Designs
Armor is a clothing line that sells Chic formal attire that is fashion forward.Targeting women who wants to stand out in the work environment and demands attention during the weekend. Founded by entrepreneur Thato Ditsele
Green Button
Green Buttons is a fashion Brand founded on strong craftsmanship and technical skills.Garments are inspired by the unfolding tale of an empowered African woman’s journey to greater heights, therefore this timeless legacy is fit to be passed on from generation to generation. Founded by entrepreneur Mamosebetsi Ndlovu in 2011.
SIR
Each collection is crafted on the notion that fashion and design is the meeting place of the intangible and physical; it is the body that houses our spirit, the architecture of cloth that expresses emotions and imagination. Founded by entrepreneur Christopher Malo
Hectic 7 Creations
A company that design and produce non-restrictive Street Wear across both male and female segments. The brand is inspired by the life of the ordinary South African from rural areas, townships to urban areas.
Elppag
Established in in 2014 by entrepreneur by Head/designer and CEO Dumisane Kwenyana, joined later by creative director and stylist Given Radebe in 2015. The brand has a feel of rawness and is highly influenced by Art and Craft.
Lashongwe Jewellery
Lashongwe is an innovative and dynamic brand that embodies an approach to jewellery design and manufacturing that interprets and incorporates traditional and contemporary influence of South Africa. Founded and owned by entrepreneur Njabulo Griffiths
Noli Goddess Designs
Handmade and authentically South African jewellery brand. The brands designs neck pieces that add style to any outfit. Inspired by nature infused with traditional South African patterns. Founded and owned by entrepreneur Noli Mololi
Sibahle Jewellery
Sibahle is a South African campany established with the purpose of promoting a completely unique type of jewellery that embodies a strong African feel and Heritage. Founded and owned by entrepreneur Sibahle
Aluta Sunglasses
Aluta is a unique sunglass brand that resonates with today emancipated individual;an authentic, afro -centric and anti -establishment trendsetter. Founded and owned by entrepreneur Desmond Maswanganyi and Partner
Skinny Sbu Socks
Established in April 2013, Skinny Sbu socks is a 100% black owned sock brand. Inspired by the founders dream of an Africa where people can come up with ideas worth selling to the world. Founded by entrepreneur Sibusiso Ngwenya.
