50 Shades of Blue

Durban Fashion Fair has just wrapped up and now its all in the reviews, I thought I should start with a round up based on the colors which were most present on most collections over the weekend. Seemingly most designers are feeling all sorts of blues cause we saw almost every single shade of blue from light tones to the darkest ones. And I must say some of them got thinking 'god feeling blue never looked so good'

Emerald Gold

House of Saint Luke

Siyabonga Ntini

                                                    

The Intern by David Tlale (Ayanda Mthembu)

Zarth

Ngcebo Mnyandu

Massimo Crivelli

She By Bena

All photos by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo

Durban Fashion Fair 2014

Glitz and glamour, fashionistas, international fashion designers, together with South Africa’s established and emerging designers, African models, stylists, make-up artists and the who’s who of the fashion industry will get together when eThekwini Municipality hosts the 3rd annual Durban Fashion Fair (DFF) taking place at the Durban ICC from the 21 - 24 August 2014.

The DFF is one of the most successful fashion programmes in the country which integrates fashion development, together with exhibitions, 16 fashion shows and continues to capacitate, empower, encourage the culture of entrepreneurship as well as facilitate access to markets and networking opportunities for established and local young designers.

Since the inception of the DFF, the City of Durban has sent a group of designers on an internship programme in Milan – the fashion capital of the world - and has produced over 100 successful young designers who continue to make an impressive mark in the fashion industry. The programme has produced a number of success stories, like uKujula, a self-taught designer who has built a reputable brand and now owns his own multiple fashion outlets. Another successful product of this programme Zama Mathe – aka ZARTH – has made a remarkable mark in the fashion industry and enjoys the support of many leading personalities in the country.

“The fashion industry is one of the major contributors to South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and it continues to face challenges that require collective collaboration to make it a success. It is in the City’s interest to make this industry successful and sustainable. The City has invested over R 10 million into the fashion development initiatives and programmes that include business management training, fashion shows, mentorship and international fashion internship. It is the City’s role to provide a conducive and an enabling environment for our designers whilst through Durban Fashion Fair, we continue to provide opportunities to access markets, including exploring physical and online shopping platforms.” said Mayor Councillor James Nxumalo.

The DFF programme has a number of initiatives that focus on developing a sustainable fashion industry in the City. Sixteen (16) models that have been casted around the City will walk the DFF runway for the first time as they represent new faces of the DFF 2014. This is one of the notable contributions that the Fair aims to promote in order to educate our community about fashion and its impact. This is complemented by activations at various shopping malls around the City.

“Our young designers have now been exposed to different levels of the value chain within the fashion and textile industry. It is in our interest to ensure that young designers get adequate exposure, training and development so that we can build a sustainable fashion industry. Our programme has ensured that emerging designers gain invaluable exposure to global fashion trends through workshops, attend international fashion shows and visit various fashion studios,” said Sindi Shangase, DFF Programme Manager within the Business Support, Tourism and Market Unit.

DFF Designers

South Africa’s established designers such as Terrence Bray, Thula Sindi, Colleen Eitsen, Kathrin Kidger, Karen Monk-Klijnstra, Pulse, Amos EDC, Brenda, Quin, Dax Martin and CSquared, will share runway with international designers such as Abrantie - The Gentleman, She by Bena, Shadow strap Rebelious Klothing, Chairty Nyirongo, Clemas and Massimo Crivelli who was the guest international designer for 2012. The Fair will also showcase 10 emerging designers including Nguni Shades, St Luke, Sibu Msimang, Zarth, Black Pepper, Tribal Skin, Alfalfa and Duke to mention but a few.

DFF Show Schedule

Pop Up Shops

One of the most notable features of the Durban Fashion Fair are Pop Up Shops with over 50 exhibitors showcasing their products at the Durban ICC from Thursday, 22 - 24 August 2014. Access to the Pop Up Shops is free to the public. Pop Up Shops will open daily from 10:00 to 16:00.

Tickets to the show will be available from Computicket. Entry to the Pop Up Shops and Industry workshops is free. 

Back to Black

For some time I have been rather neglecting my blog and that's not because I no longer care about my readers or anyone who's interested in my online life which has ultimately became my life basically. During the short hiatus I took a lot had been happening within my little big world of fashion and the whole fashion industry itself. The menswear collections, haute couture week and the great Vodacom Durban July which has grown to be one of the country's most anticipated fashion and horse racing event in the continent. Well if you had been following the blog prior to this year's extravaganza you will know that the one event I was most excited about was Gateway's VDJ Preview Fashion Show & Concert. 

The show and concert were all sorts of amazing but as you know that such events are more than just about the designers or the performers it is also about networking, meeting new people in your industry both those who you have always followed their work online and the ones who you occasionally struck a conversation with by the bar counter. 
For this event which consumed all of my energy in the right ways, I wore an all black outfit (who knew black could be so loud) but let the pictures do all the talking even though I gave up on my lip colour 2hrs through the night.

All pictures from www.sandynene.com

Top Designers Share Style Tips for Gateway’s Vodacom Durban July Preview Fashion Show

Gateway’s interpretation of the Vodacom Durban July 2014 theme is the influence that fashion has had in film, depicted by classic actresses through the ages. “Old Hollywood Glamour” is the phrase on every fashionista’s lips. 

Award-winning designers, Paledi Segapo of PALSE Homme, Terrence Bray and Andre Martin take us through their styling tips as well as what the audience can look forward to when they attend the fashion show on the 4^th of July at the Wave House.

“When I think Old Hollywood Glamour the first thing that comes to mind is the jazz era and inspiration borrowed from ‘The Great Gatsby” film. Over the top glam, elegance and no cutting of corners,” says founder and creative director of PALSE Homme, Paledi Segapo.

According to Segapo, a lady can be overdressed but never over elegant. For men, he suggests fedoras (a felt hat), fitted blazers and brogue shoes (a style of low-heeled shoe or boot traditionally characterized by multiple-piece, sturdy leather uppers with decorative perforations).

When asked about what the audience can look forward to at Gateway’s Vodacom Durban July Preview Fashion Show, Segapo said, “I’ve appropriately themed my show segment, Walk…Live…Jazz! It will comprise of a reflection of old school look and feel evidently channeling the jazz era. The fit and silhouette will be modern classic and extremely unorthodox looking. The emphasis of this collection is the cut, cloth and fit”.

“To interpret Old Hollywood Glamour men should go for a tuxedo or a formal suit accessorized with a silk scarf. Ladies should keep it simple – a beautiful long bias cut dress and gorgeous jewellery,” says internationally recognized and multi-award winning designer, Terrence Bray.

Street wear designer, Andre Martin has decided to add ‘street vibe’ to the fashion show segment. “I’ve decided to work with street wear in a formal way. Show goers will see the Life by Andre Martin winter 2014 collection which is available in stores. I will be styling ten astonishing looks using this latest collection,” says Martin.

Tickets to see Gateway’s Vodacom Durban July Preview Fashion Show and Concert are now available at Computicket for R50 per ticket.

Gateway VIP members are invited to take advantage of the services of a specially recruited personal stylist, Sabrina Maingard of The Fashion Nanny, during the promotional period. Sessions are limited and will only be available until 28 June 2014, make sure to book early. VIP members can book their session by simply burning points 3000 and selecting a time slot at the VIP kiosks.

The personal shopping and style assist service involves the following:

• Meeting the client and establishing their vision for their outfit and the function they will be attending.
• Guiding the client to visit stores that are best suited for their needs
• The client has the expert opinion to enable that their ensemble matches, fits correctly, quality assured and they look amazing
• The stores they will be guided to consist of apparel, footwear, accessories and/ or health and beauty if required

Look out for Gateway Theatre of Shopping on Facebook and Twitter (#GatewayJulyFashionShow).

Face of TRUWORTHS with Boss Models

Are you the next FACE OF TRUWORTHS? Together with BOSS Models, Truworths is looking for South Africa’s next fresh face.

How do I enter?
Get to an instore casting at one of the venues below:

30 June 2014, Durban Truworths Gateway
1 July 2014, Johannesburg Truworths Sandton
2 July 2014, Pretoria Truworths Menlyn
3 July 2014, Polokwane Truworths Mall of the North
4 July 2014, PE Truworths Greenacres
5 July 2014, Cape Town Truworths Canal Walk
7 July 2014, Bloemfontein Truworths Loch Logan

Time?
10am – 2pm

What can I win?
A 2 year BOSS Models contract, a Samsung S5 cellphone, fragrances from Hugo Boss, R5000 Truworths fashion, a model bootcamp in Cape Town and your own Truworths fashion campaign.

Who can enter?
The castings are open to males age 16 – 24 and females age 14 -23. In order to attend the castings in store, entrants should meet the following height criteria: Female’s range- 1.7m – 1.83m and male’s range 1.83m to 1.91m. All entrants must be willing and able to work for any of the Truworths brands including Truworths, YDE, Identity and Uzzi; sign a 2 year full model management agreement with Boss Models Pty Ltd; and to be flown to Cape Town from 6-9 October 2014 to participate in the finals week and model bootcamp.

Full entry details here: https://www.truworths.co.za/bossmodels/measure-up

Alicia Keys x Givenchy Fragrance

Givenchy's latest ad campaign for the fashion house's new fragrance Dahlia Divin is here and guess who's the celebrity face for the scent? The Girl whose on fire, Alicia Keys. Keys' skin is flawless and is complemented well by the strapless gown on the editorial. This ad campaign basically continues to show Riccardo Tisci's love for women of colour after his Spring/Summer ad campaign starring songstress Erykah Badu.

We've also heard by the grapevine that Kendell Jenner will be starring in a number of campaigns by the French fashion house.

The fragance is said to hit the shelves in September, so after having to wait about a month for the campaign editorials to be released since Alicia Keys had tweeted about her excitement to be part of the Givenchy family back in May, we still going to have to wait another few months to actually know the scent itself.

Lupita Nyong'o Vogues in July

Source:Vogue.com

Oscar award winning actress Lupita Nyong'o is officially 2014's "It girl". After months of crossed fingers and speculations, Lupita has finally gotten a "stamp of approval" as not only a force to reckon with but a fashion icon too. The actress got people talking about a possible Vogue cover after the Calvin Klein F/W '14 Show in February where she was spotted on the front row right next to Anna Wintour. She will be gracing the cover of the glossy magazine next month(July), the cover was released online today (19 June 2014) in which she's wearing a Prada dress from the Fall 2014 collection.

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Source: Vogue.com

Source: Vogue.com

With her ability to always come out as best dressed on most red carpet events she attends, we can all agree that we knew that this cover was gonna happen sooner or later and it was soon. 

The editorials were taken in the beautiful city of Marrakech where she appears in a number of top designer ensembles from Proenza Schouler to Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci. Lupita looks absolutely flawless on literally every picture. 

One can only wonder what else is to come from the Kenyan born beauty but one thing we know for sure is that she's only getting bigger from here.