The Young Designer Search kicked off in November 2007 with a call to entry being sent out to 36 leading South African design academies from around the country, including the Durban University of Technology, Linea Academy, Cape Town College of Fashion Design, Elizabeth Galloway School of Fashion and the South African Institute of Style. The schools were required to send through the portfolios of their top graduating students. In addition, the graduates sent through their profile, the inspiration and motivation for their range as well as a storyboard with pictures.
A panel of highly respected industry representatives have selected the cream of the crop to showcase their work at MTN Durban Fashion Week 2008. The task of judging fell to Durban-based designer, Vino Moodley; media fashion fundis Terence Pillay and Kiki Ntuli; Grant Blackbeard, Head of Blackbeard and Dare retail outlets; and Greg Wallis, Head of the Durban Fashion and Design Council. "Durban is undisputedly the heart of emerging fashion talent in South Africa and it is our intention to bring the top of young talent to the nation," said Vanashree. The final selection in the Young Designer Search took place on Thursday 13 March. The selected finalists will win a slot to showcase at MTN Durban Fashion Week 2008 which takes place on the Sundeck at the Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World from 25 to 28 June. But first
however, they will go through a rigid programme of planning, training and mentoring. MTN Durban Fashion Week goes a step further by contributing financially to each young designers range. Young designers who were selected for this remarkable opportunity last year went on to reap the benefits and grow their careers. John Paul Gyima, who was one of the finalists last year, said, "Our showcase last year received tremendous media exposure, which has helped us to make inroads into the design industry. Thereafter I was afforded the exciting opportunity of working with Gideon! My client base has grown from zero to include private clients and several boutique owners. Thanks to MTN Durban Fashion Week I’ve also been invited to showcase at several fashion shows both locally and internationally".

There will be two MTN Young Designer Shows at MTN Durban Fashion Week, with five designers showcasing at each show. Young designer will also be selected from the Vukani Fashion Awards, and these names will be released in May 2008. The following are the names of the finalists selected. Reserve finalists selected will participate in the young designer programme should the selected finalists be unable to participate:

Elizabeth Galloway School of Fashion
· Teresa Joubert
· Jolene Graham
· Stephen Van Eeden

Cape Town College of Fashion Design
· Zayne Isaacs
· Kerry-Anne Barnard

Durban University of Technology
· Maria (Becky) Beukes

Priscilla Bhika School of Fashion
· Smiso Mbindwane

Reserve:
· Zinhle Malevu
· Rose Molteno (Cape Town College of Fashion Design)
· Siyethemba Ngwenya (Durban University of Technology)
· Kerry-Anne Esau (Cape Town College of Fashion Design)