Boys will be Boys/Girls will be Boys - 19/06/09

Last night DAF hosted a party to raise funds for the end of year show.
The theme was 'Androgyny'





Design by: Stephanie Anastasopoulos; Model: Aadilah Toufee





Thanks to everyone who attended and came to support of the Academy





The second years showed their menswear designs from this term



Design by: Kim Sassen








The third years asked friends to model for them and showed their tailoring outfits.




Design by: lameez Claasen; Model: Carlynne Smith





Backstage (left to right): model; Tansy Tarboten, Cindy Armstrong, model, Stepahanie Anastasopoulos, Samantha Bailey


Thanks must go to Steph and Sammy, who helped organize the party and fashion show.

Final Range Planning

Its that time of year and yesterday the 3rd years presented their final ranges to a panel of guest moderators from Truworths.


This included Anne;LTD, Luke; Men's Fashion Studio, Susan;ladies Fashion Studio and Julia from HR.

Claudor and Claudette by: Stephanie Anastasopoulos













The presentations went really well and the moderators were really pleased with the standard of work and at how receptive the students were to their constructive criticism.

Something Old/Something New by: Cindy Armstrong



There were lots of last minute additions and sleepless nights, but everyone rose to the challenge. Well done to all the 3rd years for all your hard work.



Beauty Uncovered by Tansy Tarboten








Summer of Love by: Abby May Richards













Requiem for a Dream by Tina Swigelaar














The Child Like Me by Lameez Claasen



We are all really looking forward to seeing the final product.... watch this space! :)

Architecture meets Tailoring

This term the 3rd years completed their tailored outfits. They were asked to look at forms of architecture as inspiration to create 3 designs, one of which was chosen to be produced.




Lameez Claasen - Inca pyramids, Mexico


From catholic churches and cathedrals to pyramids built by the Inca tribes, the students pushed themselves and created some truly beautifully crafted pieces.



Robyn Caris - Sydney Opera House, Australia




Cindy Armstrong - Heian Shrines/Japan
















Tina Swigelaar - Cambridge University














Stephanie Anastasopolous - Dilapidated building/Beirut.

Fund Raising and FAD awards

The students and lecturers have been hard at work creating items to sell at the annual DAF open day on the 1st August '09.



From earrings, clips, brooches, bean bag warmers and shopping bags, everything made and sold is aimed at raising funds for the end of year fashion show. So spread the word and come support DAF on 1st Aug!

Next up on the DAF calandar is the FAD awards. A competition run by Fochini which aims at uncovering fresh new talent.




The theme was 'Le Dolce vita'. Quite a few DAF students entered, but it was 3rd year student Tina Swigelaar who was accepted and will be required to make up 6 garments for the final leg of the competition.





Well done Tina!
























Steph Anastaopolous

Durban July '09 update

1 of the 3rd year students, Stephanie Anastasopolous, made it into the Durban July semi-finals and got a special mention from the judges.













Other creations included a lego dress along with various other creations from competing colleges.

CONVERSE (PRODUCT) RED™

In 2007, the 1st year students entered into an AIDS awareness competition for Converse shoes.


Two designs, done by Chloe Hugo-Hamman and Samantha Baily, were chosen to be put into production.


10% of the net wholesale price of these CONVERSE (PRODUCT) RED™ will be paid to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Geneva, Switzerland).

Go to http://www.converse.com/#/products/shoes/red to check them out!

Well done Sam and Chloe :)

The Games We Play 06/05/09

This year the Durban July Competition called on young designers to come up with an outfit with theme "The Games We Play".

Stephanie Anastasopoulos: "Inspired by a geometric, six sided cube shape which represents a dice, a common game accessory, which in turn represents the game of chance. The dilapidated look of the garment has reference to the great depression and the idea that people had to keep all their possessions and items of worth on their physical selves. The plain dyed cotton is further inspired by this significant era."

Steph was accepted for the second consecutive year - well done Steph!!



Hieke Lauterbach: "Twister was the inspiration behind my design. As the game unfolds and bodies are intertwined, to represent this the dress is pleated creating depth and layers. The pleated chiffon skirt is twisted around the model's midriff - My design folds over itself creating 3 layers with 3 different opacity's, creating movement and a feeling of depth."

Samantha Baily: "I took inspiration from the game 'peek-a-boo', where you hide and they appear! I used this surprise element to hide my naughty design underneath a structured 18Th Century design. This design was inspired by the Queen of Hearts and was combined with the 'geometry by design' trend. The idea being a deck of tricks hidden just below the surface - should surely make you want to play again?"
















Robyn Caris: "I didn't want to interpret the theme literally and thought about the connotations the theme brought to mind. I thought of a casino type of vibe, with high rollers, beautiful women and all the games that get played; mentally and physically. I wanted to portray a sexy silhouette and incorporated a couple current trends. A modern, sexy take on the little black dress."




Kim Sassen: "When I thought about the 'games people play' I automatically thought of my favorite board game as a child - Snakes and Ladders! It is a game of chance. At times there is not a lot that you can do in order to win - your fate is left in the hands of the dice. I chose very royal colours, this makes a bold statement. I tried to emphasise the feeling of it being intertwined and flowing from one side to the other."