Tatum Keshwar – The face of the Gateway Fashion Preview and Concert

Timeless, understated and classic are definitive descriptors when it comes to  Africa’s Greatest Horseracing Event – the Vodacom Durban July, established in 1897, and Durban’s most stylish pre-race day fashion event is taking place at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping on the 30^th of June. Gateway’s Vodacom Durban July Preview Fashion Show and Concert is the ultimate pre-race day fashion event – not to be missed.

Leading up to this event, an immersive installation – The Style Stable  – can be found at Gateway (opposite Circus Circus). The Style Stable will be open to patrons from 15 – 30 June to promote Gateway Theatre of Shopping as the ultimate fashion destination in Kwazulu-Natal, especially when it comes to race day fashion. The Style Stable will encapsulate the essence of all things equestrian.

 “Years of planning, months of preparation, weeks of sharpening, days of fine tuning, hours of tension, minutes of anguish, seconds of panic” – the Vodacom Durban July 2018 theme has been identified as “It Is Time,” with every element of the race day having the aspect of time attached to it. Similarly, from conception to construction, time is also a concept that is integral to the art of fashion design; be it making patterns, cutting fabric, constructing garments and fitting the final pieces.

“I love this theme because time is so important for designers,” said Fashion Programme Director Tiffany Prior, who has been associated with Gold Circle for the last fifteen years, and has been producing the Gateway Fashion Preview and Concert since its inception ten years ago. Fashion and horse racing go hand in hand and Gold Circle has afforded designers a voice in the realm of horse racing.

Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the Gateway Fashion Preview and Concert is proud to welcome key sponsors, Vodacom Red and Vodacom Nxt Lvl, on board for 2018, as well as associated sponsors Kryolan and Gerald Wells Hair Salon. 

Transforming the tradition of the Cavendish Court Space outside Truworths, The Style Stable will be a whimsical interpretation of the rich heritage of the horse racing event, currently in its 122^nd running and will encapsulate the essence of what the Gateway Fashion Preview and Concert is all about, using a selection of retro photographs over the years. A platform for stalwarts in South African Design, as well as fresh, young talent, the preview fashion show, will open with the official Durban July Timeless Collection featuring pieces by Brenda Quin, Hanrie Lues, Katekani Moreku, Leona Magdelene Pillay, Madelain Clark, Martin Steenkamp, Racine Lyle Meredith Denny, Sadie Bosworth Smith, Sibusiswe Msimang and Skye Pengelly.

Guests will be treated to an invited Designer Showcase with capsule pieces from Paledi Segapo, JJ Schoeman, Zama Mathe, Vino Moodley, Sandile Duke Mngadi, Kathrin Kidger, Casey Jeanne and Leigh Schubert, who is proud to be amongst African designers who aren’t afraid to stand out or make a statement, as they remain accessible and approachable. The Vodacom Durban July’s Young Designers competition winnners will also have the opportunity to showcase their Collections.

With Gateway Theatre of Shopping as the ultimate destination from which to draw style inspiration and looks for race day; a host of retailers will be showcased at the Preview, including Woolworths, Fabiani and C Squared to name a few.

The Style Stable will house “Style Your Look” activations with Kryolan, which will heighten event interest, talkability and ignite the sense of timeless glamour within the stable.

The show will be followed by an after-party hosted at The WavePark featuring local Performing Artists Kwesta, DJ Funky B, Locnville, DJ Carly O, Okmalumkoolkat and East Coast Radio’s Deon G.

We have identified the face of the Gateway Fashion Preview and Concert as golden girl Tatum Keshwar, who hails from Durban and has attended over 17 Durban July events in South African Designer showstoppers. Ten years ago, Tatum shot the signature Vodacom Durban July campaign in a stable, and the association has come full circle a decade later, with The Style Stable, and the tenth anniversary of the Gateway Fashion Preview and Concert. Tatum will be captured in a short fashion film shared on social media platforms, before the preview fashion show and concert.

Tatum Keshwar – The face of the Gateway Fashion Preview and Concert

From the Horse’s Mouth will feature fashion stories on the heritage of South African Designers and Retailers in Gateway Theatre of Shopping, updated weekly on http://www.gatewayworld.co.za in the month leading up to Africa’s Greatest Horseracing Event.

Follow all the Gateway Fashion Preview and Concert action on Twitter and Instagram using the official hashtag #GWFP2018.