Durban July designers give back to community with 400 masks campaign

The highly anticipated Vodacom Durban July (VDJ) is still on, but, like most social events, it’s digital.

This year’s VDJ will go ahead behind closed doors on July 25 with its ‘Butterflies’ theme, which seeks to reflect on the social butterflies who are still able to #StayConnected to their passion for fashion during the lockdown. 

Instead of the usual designer competition, four KZN-based, female-led small design businesses who have been identified by Durban Fashion Fair will create 400 masks. The masks will be donated to the most vulnerable people of eThekwini to help keep them safe during this pandemic.

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The beautiful @nomsamadida is challenging YOU to design a fabulous face mask to wear during this year’s virtual Vodacom Durban July! @Vodacom is giving one lucky face mask designer R10k, as well as daily data bundles! 🦋Share your pic of your Butterfly-inspired mask on your feed tagging #VDJ2020 #StayConnected and you could be a winner. T&C’s apply.

A post shared by Vodacom Durban July(@vodacomdurbanjuly) on Jul 16, 2020 at 7:26am PDT

There's also a challenge for all aspiring designers, artists, seamstresses, and anyone with an eye for beauty to enter a nationwide mask design competition, which ends on July 23.

“This year’s Vodacom Durban July is going to showcase a bold new vision as fans of this. The incredible event can still #StayConnected to their passion but also #StaySafe at this time. Fashion is all about a different way of looking at the world, so this year we’re taking a totally different view of the Vodacom Durban July and bringing this event to the people in a unique new way,” said Chris Lazarus, Managing Executive for Vodacom KwaZulu Natal.

VDJ will take place via Instagram where winners will be announced before the main race on July 25 .