LAST Sunday, local designer Donna Ramsammy-James opened her Shape 2012 Collection, themed ‘Afrika Milele’, to the private viewing of a diverse and select audience at her Century Palm Gardens home in Durban Backlands here in the city.
The event was, in retrospect, Donna’s unique way of celebrating the declaration of 2011 as the International Year for People of African Descent. And it was indeed an excellent representation.
The trees, exotic flowers and other flora blended into the ideal catwalk for such a theme, transforming Afrika Milele into the stunning display of an electric mix of elegant African culture, style and entertainment, showcasing ladies and men’s wear in traditional and contemporary fashions, incorporating the softness of Asia, the depths of Africa and its Diaspora, and the rich colour of the Caribbean.
Donna possesses an enviable background in things African, having lived in East Africa for some 12 years.
For approximately one hour, patrons attending the show, known for its prompt start, were again left mesmerized at Donna’s immense designing talent, which she fuses with her sensibilities of things cultural with Caribbean, Indian, African and Latin American influences, thereby bringing to the fore exotic pieces which speak to creativity and pride of heritage.
On feature was a total of 115 elegantly arranged pieces of garment using earth-toned colours, red and black, burgundy and black, black and white, mauve and black, yellow & green, orange and black, different shades of blue and green, as well as white, some with intricate eye-catching hand–painted designs, or from the traditional cloth brought from Africa.
The models, three males included, each truly did justice to the unique creations they displayed, and those were  accessorized either by seeds, beads, shells, leather, feathers, belt goblets, veils, stones, face masks, handbags, scarves, face painting, or any appropriate thing that nature happened to toss Donna’s way.
Strains of rich, appropriate African music enhanced the ambience as the models gracefully displayed their apparel. Miriam Makeba’s `Patta, Pata’ was the opening selection and Bob Marley’s `One Love’ rendition concluded the music session.
Apart from eye-catching African clothing, Master of Ceremonies, veteran broadcaster Carlton James, did quite an excellent job in bridging the gap in terms of understanding the creations and what they represent.
He told the select gathering that through paying keen attention to the music, the garments being displayed and chorography by the models, identifying with a part of Africa was simple.