Marvels of Mzansi: Runways and Races at the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July

South African fashion was off to the races, once again, with Hollywoodbets' 2025 Durban July.  

Each year Hollywoodbets release a theme for their Durban July fashion shows. This year audiences were invited to marvel at the spectacles of South Africa with the theme Marvels of Mzansi. From the majestic thoroughbred horses to the show stopping couture moments, this year’s event paid tribute to the people, places, and moments that make South Africa truly breathtaking. The event featured multiple showcases of style like the Invited Designers, Durban Fashion Fair Rising Stars, and Young Designers collections as well as the public Raceday Fashion awards.  TrendsettersOnly magazine was excited to cover this day of style and celebration. 

The Designer Showcases remain a major highlight of race day fashion. Nine acclaimed designers were invited to interpret the theme through three signature pieces: a dramatic showstopper and a pair of stylish race day outfits for a couple. Their collections not only captured the beauty and soul of Mzansi, but also set the fashion tone for the year ahead. These designers continue to raise the bar, drawing national attention and admiration with every stitch and silhouette.

The Durban Fashion Fair (DFF) Rising Stars Collection took its place in the spotlight once again. Nine young designers, mentored through the DFF programme, debuted their work on the Celebration Stage. More than just a runway moment, this was a showcase of fresh talent backed by meaningful support.

Thanks to the Hollywood Foundation, these up-and-coming designers received a combined R250,000 investment for business tools and equipment. Each also walked away with R5,000 in cash (courtesy of Race Coast and Schweppes) and a R500 gift card from Gateway Theatre of Shopping, all aimed at helping them thrive beyond the catwalk.

The excitement continued with the Young Designer Award presented by Durban Fashion Fair. Fashion students across the country competed for this prestigious title, submitting race day ensembles that brought the Marvels of Mzansi theme to life through their collections. The top prize included a fashion travel experience to Johannesburg for South African Fashion Week S/S 2025, R70,000 in bursary funding from the Hollywood Foundation, a R10,000 cash prize from Race Coast and Schweppes, and a R5,000 shopping voucher from Gateway Theatre of Shopping. Every one of the ten finalists also received R2,000 in recognition of their efforts. Not to be left out, the winner’s college was awarded R30,000 to continue developing and supporting emerging designers. But beyond these awards, the real prize is the media exposure. As the press release noted “Many winners from the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Award went on to show on national platforms such as Durban Fashion Fair, South African Fashion Week, Africa International and Menswear Fashion Week.“

Fashion wasn’t just for the designers at the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July — the public also had their moment to shine. The Raceday Fashion Competitions were open to all attendees, with prizes awarded in several style categories. Nirvana Nolene won for Exceptional Raceday Hat. In Classic Racewear Male, Mnotho Ngema came first, followed by Siphesihle Mkhize in second and Athenkosi Mfungula in third. For Classic Racewear Female, the winner was Happiness Mkhwanazi, with Ciara Mikkelsen in second and Nomonde Langa in third. The Most Striking Couple award went to Pamela Shabane and Larnelle Maddocks, with Kevin Ellis and Gareth Greaves taking second place, and Kish Ramdewu and Cherilee Thangalan in third.

One of the most buzzed-about collaborations of the season came courtesy of African Bank and leading designer Khosi Nkosi. Together, they unveiled a fashion-forward concept: styling and designing for the sleek new OMODA C7. high fashion met high performance in this fusion of luxury and innovation and displayed a bold example of how style is expanding beyond the wardrobe.

At its heart, the Hollywoodbets Durban July is more than a race, it’s a celebration of vision, creativity, and marvels in every form. From student sketches to designer showcases, and everyday style statements, fashion continues to race forward