LEATHER DUNGAREES

WOOLWORTHS SUMMER LAUNCH

TOP BILLING PRESENTER BONANG MATHEBA AND GRAZIA MAGAZINE'S EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DANIELLE WEAKLEY LEAD THE FASHION CONVERSATION AT LAST NIGHT'S LAUNCH

I was at the Woolworths Summer 2013 launch at Clearwater Mall last night where the retailer unveiled their collections for the season ahead. As one expected, black and white are the season's colours. This is supplemented by prints, touches of metallic and bright colours from tangerine to lime and an array of sorbet colours. Woolworths also put denim on the runway, emphasising the return to "true blue"- denim-on-denim, embellished jeans and the like. The talking point was the boyfriend jeans, which Grazia editor Danielle Weakley said was best paired with high heels. This is a point I totally agree with. My gay friends always ask how they can wear the boyfriend jeans and my response is always; "Can't we leave this one to the ladies, please?"

While I've always preferred Country Road over Trenery, this time I have to say the latter is where I will be shopping. I'm talking about a check print blouse and matching short, in particular, which I am dying to get my hands on. Yes, my name is still Sandiblouse. Don't let nobody tell you otherwise.

LUKHANYO MDINGI REACHES FOR THE ELLE RISING STAR AWARD

Lukhanyo Mdingi is one of the finalists in this year's edition of the ELLE Rising Star Designer search. The young designer is currently in his third year of studying and says he felt now was the perfect time for him to enter the competition.

What convinced you to take up this challenge?
I just thought it was and still is the perfect opportunity for young designers to get their name out, show their talent and to be recognised by the South African market. Also Y.O.L.O (You Only Live Once)!!

Who are your favourite South African designers and why?
Keith Henning for Adriaan Kuiters. I really appreciate his distinct design aesthetic. His choice of silhouettes and fabrics always have a sense of consistency which I think is vital as a designer and he always seems to pull it off. well.

Internationally? Which designer would you say is your absolute favourite?

There are really so many! But currently its Alexander Wang, Neil Barrett and Francisco Costa.

Do you think, as a designer, you have found your signature yet?
No, not yet. I feel like as time moves on I'm constantly influenced by so many things. When I look at my graduation collection and my Elle (in association with Mr Price) collection, they are so different! So I'm still finding my distinct style and growing as a designer.

Tell me about the collection you are putting together for the finalists' show; the inspiration, the fabrication, etc.My concept is Basics. I'm inspired by the aesthetic and principles of basic shapes. I will be using particular fabric choices that will also show the basic natural form of a woman's body. That becomes an important factor in my range.

Why do you think you went for a career in fashion?

Passion, passion and more passion, I have always had a love for the industry. I love the fact that fashion goes beyond design, there are so many other aspects about it and I just want to learn and see what I can feed off from it.

If you don't win; where to from there?

I will use all the information that I have gained from the competition. I will use the platform that they have given us and see how far I can go with all the information. I will defiantly continue in fashion and learn!! Education is key. Knowledge is very important to me. I would love to do my Btech in Fashion Design.

What other career options have you considered?
Absolutely nothing!! This has always been my first option. But if I had to really choose it would have to be in Education; teaching Fine Arts + History.

What are your thoughts on the state of South African fashion?
It’s growing! A lot! I love seeing local talent and as time goes on there is always  growth. I see it in the streets, in real people and even on blogs. Street style is becoming such an influential culture and they are making a positive contribution to the growth of South African fashion!

PICTURES: DAVID TLALE x POND'S GOLD RADIANCE

                                 

MISSSHAPE AT THE DURBAN FASHION FAIR

If you were at the Durban Fashion Fair this past weekend, I am sure you will agree with me when I say few shows stood out as much as Jamal Nxedlana's latest Missshape collection. From the leather skirts to the graphic prints, I enjoyed every almost every single look that came out on the runway. I even wanted to buy a few items, but the collection is unfortunately not going on sale just yet, the designer tells me. I can bet you now that the cool kids will be jumpin on this one! The collection forms part of Jamal's Ambassadors series which will see collabos with various creatives. This one in particular was in collaboration with Anthea Knows Best from Instantgrass.

ELLE RISING STAR: ELLI-NICOLE SAZEIDES, SECOND TIME LUCKY?

Elli-Nicole Sazeides made the top 8 in last year's ELLE Rising Star Designer competition. While the competition did not go her way, Elli-Nicole is back this year to give it another go and tells me whether or not her second attempt results in a victory it will not deter her from putting in the necessary work in establishing herself as a designer.

Me: You are a finalist for the second year running. Do you think this gives you an edge over the other designers and why?

Elli-Nicole: While it is helpful to have an idea of the process and requirements from my experience last year I am by no means more relaxed, being part of this competition a second time also has it's challenges, you know longer have a luxury of a first impression so you have to up your game considerably!

Me: What would you say was the biggest lesson you learned from being part of this competition last year?

Elli-Nicole: The biggest thing I learned was to take chances with my work,instead of worrying about it being text book perfect I had to shift my mindset to "it's ok to try something new and fail", push yourself, try new things no matter what the outcome.

Me:  Worst-case scenario, you don't win... Where to from there for you?

Elli-Nicole: I don't see not winning as a worst case scenario. Everyone loves to win but that is momentary, don't get me wrong it would be great but one win doesn't make a label it's about consistency and building a reputation as the years progress. I see the competition as a stepping stone on a path rather than an end destination.  Win or lose I intend to take the lessons from the competition and grow my business and following and really focus on building a brand that is successful.

Me: What can we expect from the collection you are making for this year's show?

Elli-Nicole: My collection this year is adventurous in its pattern work but still effortlessly wearable with a balance between luxe and edge. I decided to push myself this year by developing my own prints which has been very exciting. It was also important to me to develop my accessories in this collection and therefore shoes and handbags will feature even more prominently than last year. This year the inspiration behind my collection is also very personal, the collection was inspired by all of the teachings and memories of my maternal granny whom I was very close to and who passed away last year.

Here are a few pictures from Elli-Nicole's show as a finalist in last year's inaugural Elle Rising Star Designer search:

Photography: Gary Stemmett/ SDR Photo

TERRY PHETO x TRUE LOVE

I'd be lying if I said I've ever seen a True Love cover as fresh as this one with Terry Pheto, shot in Zanzibar. It's just one of those covers that make one wish September 1 was here already (not that I'm expecting this cold weather to have gone by then, but I can only hope). I'm already imagining finding my short-shorts. I'm not sure where I put them but I do know I have plenty after I cut 90% of all my pants into shorts thanks to the hot Cape Town weather in December last year. Anyway, let me not make this about me. I think it's a very well deserved "well done" to the ladies at True Love. Keep 'em comin' now! 

HOW MENSWEAR BECAME THE HIGHLIGHT AT MERCEDES BENZ FASHION WEEK CAPETOWN

South African menswear remains quite small in comparison to womenswear. With David Tlale's showcase of a full menswear collection for the first time this past weekend at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Cape Town I can honestly say menswear was the highlight of the event. Not a soul was left questioning Tlale's beautiful execution of what I unreservedly thought was a triumphant display of menswear I am so desperate to get my hands on. 

Although I missed the Adriaan Kuiters showcase at Iziko National Gallery, a lot of the pundits I trust were raving about designer Keith Henning's collaboration with Jody Paulson. I've always loved the clean Adriaan Kuiters aesthetic and having seen the pictures I wish I had been there to see the collection first hand. 

These two shows were the talk of the whole weekend and I hope this is the beginning of a new era for South African menswear. One hopes that the delivery by these two brands will inspire a new and sustained excitement about menswear as a whole.

Note: All pictures are David Tlale (blogger's own)

SKATTIE MAGAZINE LAUNCHED

In March this year my friend Malibongwe and I started sharing our knowledge of media with several other creatives who were part of the Joule City Arts Incubator  in Cape Town on the conveners' request. One of the requirements for our part of the sessions was to produce something tangible that the participants could use to show what it is they learned from us. From the word go it became clear to us that we had to use this opportunity to launch something we'd been talking about for a long time- Skattie Magazine. Most of you will know Mali's blog called Skattie What Are You Wearing. The magazine is more like an extension of that and I can promise you that the content is like nothing you've probably ever seen before. Although I had to leave Mali to continue alone at a later stage of the magazine's development- largely due to having had to go back to full time employment- seeing the results of the work we did and how it all turned out has been the most exhilarating experience. We launched it on Friday last week in Cape Town and are thrilled about the feedback we have so far received. Please feel free to download a copy of the magazine via this link: http://www.mediafire.com/download/te1hgc23cq1t6l5/Skattie+Online.pdf