Fashion models and thoroughbred horses were both on show at the official Hollywoodbets Durban July Gallops on Thursday morning as racegoers were given a sneak preview of the protagonists for the main race as well as some of the glamorous designs that will be seen on July 6.
Eleven of the 20 horses, including two reserves, that make up the final field for the seventh race at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on July 6, were put through their paces on the city track where they will battle for glory next weekend. The remaining nine, the Gauteng contingent, had their gallops recorded and shown on the big screen.
It was a last chance for the big crowd, who were treated to a surprisingly warm Durban winter morning, to assess and analyse the competition and debate who is going to be crowned as the 2024 champion.
While the jockeys were guiding their charges down the final straight, a selection of models were showing off the designs from some of the Durban Fashion Fair Rising Stars Collection and the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Award.
For the fashionistas, the Gallops is also a sneak preview of Friday’s Gateway Hollywoodbets Durban July Preview Show at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping. This showcase will give KZN’s fashion industry an opportunity to see some of the spectacular designs that will be on show on July 6.
In the highlight of the local fashion year, all ten finalists in the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Award presented by Durban Fashion Fair will present their interpretations of the Ride the Wave theme, alongside designs from the Durban Fashion Fair Rising Stars Collection and the Invited Designer Showcase.
