Vodacom Durban July

High fashion at the Vodacom Durban July

THE "Posh? Oh My Gosh!" theme for this year's Vodacom Durban July was interpreted in many different ways by the fashion-conscious.

The Greyville Racecourse was transformed into a runway 06/07/2013 as an endless stream of invited guests used the country's biggest horse racing event as a fashion parade.

Businesswoman Basetsana Kumalo made a grand entrance on the arm of husband Romeo, and there was a mini stampede as groupies of all sorts clamoured to have their pictures taken with her.

Kumalo kept it safe in a Gavin Rajah creation in her favourite colours - black and white - accessorised with a glittering obi belt.

Jessica Motaung, the first lady of Kaizer Chiefs, put together an outfit with a modern African twist coupled with knots and animal print, and paired her burnt orange Kenzo wrap dress with oversized Victoria Beckham sunnies.

"That's the Posh of my outfit," she said. "For me, this year's theme represents an era when horse racing was all about hats, flowing dresses and elegance. Using a scarf is very African and feminine."

Liezel van der Westhuizen and her partner Mike Sannin made a sweet splash in their Cadbury chocolate outfit designed by Craig Jacobs.

"I had a lot of chocolate, so I decided to use the wrappers for Liezel's dress," Jacobs joked.

"It's Marie Antoinette meets Africa."

Van der Westhuizen chipped in: "Marie Antoinette famously said: 'Let them eat cake.' I say: 'Let them eat chocolate!'"

Miss South Africa Marilyn Ramos was one of the first to arrive at the Vodacom paddock, wearing a creation by Pretoria designer F Wilson. The leopard print bodice had a sweetheart neckline and a mesh material mini.

"It's young, fresh and represents a bit of South Africa.

"The red and bedazzle is fun and girly and represents the posh," she gushed.

A fashion designer who likes to make bold choices is celebrity favourite Gert-Johan Coetzee, who donned a three-piece herringbone suit accessorised with green latex cravat.

As expected, Coetzee dressed media personality Bonang Matheba, who played host at the Vodacom paddock.

Her vivid, flowing dress was eye-catching.

"Everyone is focusing on the posh, so I decided to do the 'oh my gosh' part. Everyone who sees this dress goes 'wow' because of the neon colour," said "Your Gurl B".

The July festivities started on Friday night with a posh party hosted by the Tsogo Sun hotel group at the upmarket Elangeni hotel.

MasterChef SA judge and Tsogo Sun chef Benny Masekwameng used the opportunity to showcase his team's culinary skills when they laid out a spread worthy of a king's court, from an oyster bar and a seafood corner to a buffet and dessert station. The tables heaved under mountains of tasty morsels.

Top Billing's Simba Mhere was the MC and worked the room like a pro.

In a room packed with socialites, business people and celebrities, businessman Vivian Reddy and his wife, Sorishnie, proved to be a popular power couple. Scores of people lined up to shake his hand and have their pictures taken with the Reddys, proving that they really are Durban's royalty.

Miss Earth Tamerin Jardine excitedly spoke about her designer dress embedded with "real platinum". Great to see our national resources being put to good use.

my best dressed at the july this year was........