Gateway Theatre of Shopping in Durban offers shoppers a theatrical realm of fashion and entertainment, exactly what its name articulates. Gateway’s main attribute, setting it apart from other shopping centres in the country is its unique combination of high end fashion stores and family entertainment features. One can expect to see clothes from boutiques such as Forever New, Jenni Button, The Space and Stuttafords to large international brands such as ZARA, Guess, Hugo Boss, Hilton Weiner, Pringle, Carducci, factorie and CottonOn.

The Vodacom Durban July is the annual horse racing event held at Greyville Racecourse in Durban, and sees South Africa’s best thoroughbreds storm down the home straight to the finish of the R3.5 million, Grade 1 Vodacom Durban July. The popular event attracts 55 000 people, who cram the confines of Greyville Racecourse and millions of others will watch the annual spectacle on television.

The Vodacom Durban July draws heavily on horseracing’s deeply-rooted tradition of elegance and chic fashion, and this year will tap into the formal style expected from a dinner at a cruise liner Captain’s Table dinner with the theme appropriately titled, ‘The Captain’s Table’.

Vodacom Durban July fashion programme director, Tiffany Prior, says, “The 2015 Vodacom Durban July fashion theme is not about dressing nautically but requires some deep delving into the history of what it means to be invited to the Captain's Table. They need to travel back to the early 1920’s when people started cruising and were invited to dine with the captain. There were never more than twelve people at his table and the chosen few were always the most stylish, elegant and eloquent guests on the ship.”

Gateway celebrates race day fashion by hosting the Preview Fashion Show the night before the Vodacom Durban July, featuring the Fashion Challenge and Invited Designers.

Over the years, the preview fashion show to the Vodacom Durban July has grown from a traditional 40 minute fashion show into a day and night entertainment extravaganza, attracting thousands of South Africans, including some of the country’s top celebrities and media. The fashion show is followed by a concert featuring top local performers, keeping the crowd entertained late into the night.

Vodacom Durban July Fashion Challenge

The Vodacom Durban July Fashion Challenge is a competition open to all experienced and aspiring local as well as out-of-province fashion designers. It is an exciting opportunity for fashionistas to be part of the biggest horseracing and fashion event in the country.

Competition designs should speak to an era of style and sophistication, and should encompass the Vodacom Durban July’s overall spirit of on-trend, elegant and beautifully executed designs.

Invited Designer Showcase 

The Invited Designer Showcase is by far the most glamorous element of the Vodacom Durban July Fashion Experience. Each of the eight national designers are selected because of their standing in the market, their experience, their participation in other high profile national fashion events such as SA Fashion Week and their current media profile.

The confirmed designers for this year’s Invited Designer Showcase are Craig Jacobs (Fundudzi), Terrence Bray, Colleen Eitzen, Brenda Quin (Diva), Sibu Msimang, Dale McCarthy & Jane Wolff (McCarthy & Wolff Designs), Hangwani Nengovhela (Rubicon) and Haroun Hansrot.

Each designer shows a distinct and individual interpretation of the theme and will showcases their work to the public for the first time at the Vodacom Durban July Preview Fashion Show at Gateway on 3rd July, and then at the Vodacom Durban July on 4th July at Greyville Racecourse.

East Coast Radio live broadcast

East Coast Radio and Damon Beard fans can look forward to a live broadcast from the Wave House on Friday, 3 July from 15:00 to 18:00 as Gateway gears up for the evening’s entertainment.

Concert

The concert following Gateway’s Preview Fashion Show will feature top local performers, including Goodluck, Shortstraw, Ryan the DJ and Protoculture.

Since the release of their self-titled debut album in April 2011, GoodLuck have taken the charts by storm as the explosive electro-swing act, which claimed the number one position in chart-topping singles off a debut album in the history of South African Music. With six number one hits; including Taking it Easy, Harlem, Hop on Hop off, four international tours and over 350 live shows already behind their name, GoodLuck are making waves beyond boarders.

With a number one album in 2015 and as winner of two MK Awards for Best Album and Best Video in 2014 - Shortstraw are making waves on the national indie music scene in a big way. With their simple melodies and catchy rhythms and often unexpectedly brilliant lyrics, the band has taken pleasure in rocking the most prominent live music venues and clubs in the country and is well known for getting the crowd dancing. 

Born and raised in Durban, Ryan the DJ always had a passion for music since the early days of his youth. His early exposure to DJ culture had been introduced by his older brother who led him to generate a lot of interest into the art of deejaying and turntablism. Over the years Ryan’s strive for excellence and dedication has seen him grow from strength to strength enabling him to become one of the most prolific DJs in the country.

Only a few South African producers enjoy the success that DJ and Producer Nate Raubenheimer, better known to most as Protoculture, has had over the last 12 years of his career. Hailed by many of his peers as South Africa’s biggest dance music expert, he has also left his mark on the international dance scene with his trademark blend of melodic and emotionally charged compositions and DJ sets.

Tickets to Gateway’s Vodacom Durban July Preview Fashion Show and Concert can be purchased through Computicket at R50 per person.

Spend and Win

In the weeks leading up to the main event, Gateway customer’s will be given the opportunity to win a luxury Cruise in association with Marie Claire and MSC Cruises valued at R40 000. All customers need to do is spend R350 or more at any Gateway stores and enter at the promotional stand near the Info Desk or online.

For more information on the show and line up, visit www.gatewayworld.co.za.