‘Show Me The Honey’ Deciphering the Hollywoodbets Durban July theme Stylist and fashion entrepreneur Mthokozisi ‘Swenka’ Chiyi on the theme, what it means and how to interpret it
BUHLE MBONAMBI buhle.mbonambi@inl.co.za
WHEN I first heard of the theme of the Hollywoodbets Durban July, I immediately thought about the Alexander McQueen Spring Summer 2013 collection. It was a celebration of all things bees. The models glided down the Paris runway in their garments inspired by honeycomb motifs and wearing beekeeper veiled hats. I remembered it because it brought a wave of trypophobia, and I have never forgotten it. And yet it is one of my favourite collections from Sarah Burton, the custodian of the iconic British brand. It was young and yet had a regal, Elizabethan feel to it, which rendered it timeless. If any of the attendees at this year's Durban July would wear the collection, they would be spot on with the theme,
which demands one to think outside the box and not be literal. This year's theme is Show Me The Honey. There are many ways to interpret the theme, from the fluidity of honey, the colour, the texture of a bee, and its hive. I am already thinking of the Zac Posen designed 3D dress that Nina Dobrev wore to the 2019 Met Gala. It was a 3D printed dress that looked like it was glass. It looked like crystallised honey. We spoke to stylist and fashion entrepreneur, Mthokozisi 'Swenka' Chiyi about the theme, what it means and how to interpret it. Does ‘Show Me The Honey’ allow for greater success on the fashion front? This year's theme does have the potential for something unique and different. It's important to remember that we have three different types of attendees of the Durban July. People
