Saddle up, fashionistas! Horse power will meet haute couture at the upcoming 2024 World Sports Betting Cape Town MET, which promises to deliver a spectacular
fashion showcase on Saturday, 27 January along with top-class racing and entertainment.
The event, hosted at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, will bring together some of South Africa’s best fashion designers, convened by one of the nation’s foremost designers, Gavin Rajah. The show draws on the event’s theme of “Cape Splendour” for inspiration – a fusion of glamour, grace, and glory that pays tribute to the
resplendence of the fairest Cape. “We are looking at the culture of Cape Town as the fashion capital of South Africa, and the fashion will be a showcase of that title,” says Rajah.
Rajah, who will also be showcasing his work at the World Sports Betting Cape Town MET, believes that the event is one of the country’s most iconic fashion calendar moments. “The MET has led the pack in terms of what fashion is. It has always been about refined craftsmanship. It also has a historical precedent for supporting fashion in the country and is an event that has developed fashion and young fashion designers.” The 2024 World Sports Betting Cape Town MET will include the works of eight designers, who will be exhibiting their designs between the various races. The fashion show will not just be limited to selected areas but will also include moments in various locations at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, to ensure that every ticket holder can interact with the show.
The fashion show will begin at just before 13h00 after the conclusion of the Cape Racing Sales Cape Slipper Race, which will be the day’s second race.
Up first will be the work of Maze Collective, designed by the award-winning trio of Craig Port, Kim Govaars and Kayla Markovitz Foreman. They are known for a “bold, effortless, modern and authentic” aesthetic inspired by Cape Town. Following them will be Ezoketho, a label founded by Mpumelelo Dhlamini, who has
showcased his work locally and internationally, including at the Milan Fashion Week. His fashion seeks to reflect the African person, and the isiZulu language, which
serves as the inspiration for his label’s name. After the Schweppes Politician Stakes race comes the next round of the fashion show, where guests will get to see the works of Sipho Mbuto and Stephen van Eeden.
Mbuto, who is based in Durban uses fashion to explore the blurring of gender definitions, the beauty of femininity and the idea of belonging, epitomised by Ubuntu. Van Eeden, who was born in the Northern Cape, started his own label in 2016 after spending the two years prior working and learning under Gavin Rajah. He specialises in feminine, modern and glamorous bridal couture.
Following the conclusion of the World Sports Betting Best Odds Guaranteed Cape A Stakes race, round three of the fashion showcase will begin. This slot will start with the work of Ephymol, a menswear fashion label formed in 2002 by Ephraim Molingoane. Molingoane’s work is inspired by Johannesburg township Sophiatown in the 1950s and draws from the sophistication, patchwork and vibes from that era.
Up next will be Imprint, founded by Mzukisi Mbane. Mbane described his work as a mix of “Original traditional African with elements of the future”, and will be best known to South Africans as the designer behind the Springboks’ commemorative end-of-year jersey from 2021. The final round of the fashion showcase will commence after the Pongracz Olympic Duel Stakes. It will begin with the work of Thula Sindi, a designer known for his simple, yet sophisticated pieces. He has gained international recognition for his pieces, particularly his women’s clothing lines that feature intricate details, clean aesthetics and bold prints.
Rounding out the fashion showcase will be Gavin Rajah, one of South Africa’s foremost designers. Rajah, based in Cape Town, has exhibited internationally and is known for his handcrafted luxurious garments, made with the finest fabrics and attention to detail. Rajah is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and an advocate
for women’s and children’s rights.
Part of the fashion on show at the 2024 World Sports Betting Cape Town MET will focus on sustainability, an initiative that is particularly relevant to Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and Cape Racing. “You have got the Kenilworth Racecourse Conservation Area adjacent to the course, which emphasises environmental sustainability”, says Rajah.
Sustainable fashion focuses on upcycling existing pieces or fabrics, rather than creating new ones from scratch. This method is more environmentally friendly, as it
does not require new fabric to be made for a piece of fashion to come to life. However, the end of the fashion showcase will not mark the conclusion of the fashion
festivities on the day, with the award ceremony for the best-dressed racegoers commencing after the City of Cape Town Majorca Stakes.
Part of the 2024 World Sports Betting Cape Town MET tradition is the social event’s best-dressed man and woman competition, with cash prizes and more for grabs for the most spectacular ensemble. The judging panel will be made up of some of South Africa’s top fashion designers, including Rajah, Van Eeden, Port and journalist Craig Jacobs, who will be on hand to crown the fashion kings and queens of the day.
