Joburg Fashion Week:Carducci Men- Slick
THE CARDUCCI MENS RANGE DROVE JOBURG WILD, as well as our Vincent Zondo, who was inspired to get married! As I sat in the front row of the Carducci show, I had to confess, I am a Carducci man. I couldn’t help but notice the overwhelming excitement of the people around me and its then, when I knew that I was not the only one. Celebrities like Stone from the popular afro-pop Bongo Maffin group, the Kwela-Tebza boys and MXO were present and very excited about the show as well – I could tell. The Carducci brand has successfully managed to distinguish itself in the mens market by dressing some of South Africa’s popular music icons. This move is definitely getting them the attention they deserve, in my opinion, it’s truly robust and fantastic brand positioning. While most of their competitors in the fashion industry are still battling with this concept, Mark Gooding and his edgy design team continue to make big strides.SPRING HAS SPRUNG COLOURFULLY What would a spring/summer collection be without colour? The bold and colourful summer looks with turquoise and yellow colours as well as the floral detail and prints dominated this range. Nothing understated about which season we’re heading towards… I loved how they played with the shoes and belts in this range. THE CLASSIC SUITS This is the thread that holds everything together for Carducci. I personally loved the suits from this collection, very chic and yet quite classy. Also the way the suits were styled, giving a fabulously relaxed and stylish twist to the classic suit – with the shift from ties to cravats and from traditional belts to cummerbunds and hats, as well as a play on colours giving a sense of character to this years men’s collection. Goodness, I think I might have finally found my wedding suit. By Vincent Zondo – Br@nd Publicist Images Courtesy of Johannesburg Fashion Week. Photographer: Simon...
Joburg Fashion Week:Carducci Women- Divine
Our fabulous fashion review continues from our man on the scene, Vincent Zondo – join him as he celebrates sublime garments and run-way collections from the Joburg fashion week. Now, for my next collection review from has to be the edgy brand that is lead by Mark Gooding – Carducci. The Carducci fashion house has been making boldly noticeable strides within the SA’s fashion circles. It was zesty and so classy which was very true to the essence of the brand as we know it. THE WOMENS COLLECTION: Drawing inspirations from the 40’s looks, style as well as glamour, this was an inspired collection beyond measure, totally nostalgic. It represented a time when style and opulence were central to all women of substance. I loved the accessories used in this collection, and after the show, I was told by the designer himself that all the fabulous accessories: rings, the stunning two-tone colour shoes and hats were created and tailored for this year’s collection. A very romantic collection with a powerful injection of nostalgic flair- divine…I say. By Vincent Zondo – Br@nd Publicist Images Courtesy of Johannesburg Fashion Week. Photographer: Simon...
Joburg Fashion Week: David Tlale WOWs!
Represent’s resident fashion guru Vincent Zondo delves into this year’s spring/summer Fashion Week in Jozi with a penload of zest – he starts off with the formidable David Tlale, wawawewa, uDavid, you make us so proud. He has officially cemented his position of a MUST HAVE desirable in our dreams of a glamorous wardrobe, get your hands on his creations before the rest of the world snaps them up. Represent! Sharpile!: The Joburg fashion week came and left us feeling fabulously excited and inspired about this year’s spring/summer collections. Very early into the fashion week, I made a conscious decision that this years Inspiration, like style – should last a bit longer. FASHION INSPIRATION SHOULD LAST LONGER: Every year fashion week comes and goes, different designers work very hard to showcase their collections and more often than not – after the shows and the week, not much is said about the designers and their collections. Maybe the excitement dies as focus get dragged off somewhere else. But this year, I have decided to try something different – as opposed to a rushed week-long media coverage of the fashion week. I wanted to celebrate some of our designers work for just a bit longer, but most importantly I wanted all fashionistas and admirer’s alike to get a detailed glimpse of this year’s Spring/Summer collection from the Joburg fashion week. This way, the inspiration of all things fabulous in the world of fashion will hopefully last a bit longer amongst us, well…at least until the next fashion week. David Tlale, at the tip of glamour (click on images for close ups). DAVID TLALE ORIGINAL – THE COLLECTION: I recently read an article about this fantastic designer work and I was incredibly excited about his vivid articulation and views on South African trends not being too far off from Parisian trends. And for me, his collection this year was a bold expression of that statement. There is often nothing understated about David’s collection and this year was no exception. “He understands that a show is a concept and the pieces you put together as a designer should come alive on the runway to tell a story, Furthermore opulence and extravagance is always boldly displayed within Tlale collection”, said Lerato, Sunday Times – Lifestyle editor. Colour combination always gives character to his designs and paired with his immaculate eye for fabrics – velvets, silk satins and chiffons combined have never collectively spelled-out, FABULOUSITY and OPULENCE, quite like this. WHO GETS TO WEAR A DAVID TLALE ORIGINAL? A David Tlale Original, exudes style, drama and celebrates a strong women for the Goddess that she...
Love Jozi’s extended its family
Iconic Jozi t-shirt brand ‘Love Jozi’ are over the moon to have found a place to ‘call home’ in one of Johannesburg’s most vibrant (and one of our personal favourite) communities, Soweto. The place, Thesis in Mofolo Village, home to and of the Thesis fashion label, a youthful brand ingeniously tailor-made for the people of Soweto, ‘providing quality at affordable prices’. It’s the brainchild of five creative youths from Soweto who put their talents together and came up with the clanger of a concept. Thesis is the only stockist that supplies the Love Jozi classics from 2 years ago – ranges 5 and 6. We’re really excited for the socio-politically inspired “Xenocentric Range” launching next week as an exhibition – make sure not to miss it – click here and read more below on both brands. In a Represent exclusive interview, Brad Kirshenbaum, creator of Love Jozi, got up close and personal with his new extended family: BRADLEY KIRSHENBAUM: So Mangi told me you guys were hectic at the moment? NOMBULELO HLOMO: We’re working on our spring/summer 2008 range, we’re hectic but we’re coping… BK: I’m also hectic, but good-hectic like you. NH: What you working on? BK: Also my new range. NH: Are you showing it at any of the Fashion Weeks coming up? BK: NO, never, Love Jozi isn’t a fashion label! NH: Yes it is, what is it then? BK: A design brand! NH: OK BK: What is Thesis? NH: We’re a fashion label. We are taking part in the Joburg Fashion Week, that’s where we will be launching the new spring/summer range. BK: That’s great. Isn’t that at Montecasino? NH: Yes. So where do you show it then if you aren’t a Fashion Label? BK: I’m having an exhibition of the new range. NH: Oh ja we got the invitation to the launch, thanks. BK: So I’m really glad you guys are stocking my Tshirts now. NH: Cool. They are coming alright, our customers are crazy over the Black Coffee T’s and the Love Jozi T’s, especially the girls. I think they are going to do really well in summer. BK: Who are your customers? NH: Cool people from different places in and around Soweto, the East rand, Pretoria, all over. We don’t sell anywhere else though, looking into it. BK: I’m sure lots of people would want to stock Thesis. NH: Thanks – I hope so! BK: See you at the launch! Love Jozi presents its first exhibition launching Range 9 :The Xenocentric Range. TBWA\ HUNT\LASCARIS 51 Wierda Road West, Wierda Valley, Sandton. Open during office hours from Friday 1 August – Friday 29...
MTN Dbn Fashion Week: Ifa Lethu Heritage Collection
She chants the sacred verses in a barely audible voice… She sways the sacred whip from side-to-side…She walks up and down in a circular trance like manner… She looks up to the heavens and seeks the ancestor’s blessings…No, we are not at an African tribal ceremony but instead at the Ifa Lethu Heritage Collection where a sangoma is blessing the collection and transforming the catwalk into a sacred site. This is the second Summer collection unveiled at the MTN Durban Fashion Week by the Ifa Lethu Foundation, South Africa’s largest heritage development organization. The collection has been titled ‘Voodoo Picnic’ (alas, to my dismay, there were no dolls, pins or food to be found anywhere) that takes a ‘socially reflective slant on Durban fashion.’ The range was designed by Karen Monk Klijnstra, Bonga Bhengu and Gugu Msimang, under the watchful eye of Ifa Lethu Fashion Consultant Greg Wallis. The show has been divided into four scenes with musical interludes. The first, titled ‘Picnic Chic’ is a 50s inspired scene that is crisp and fresh. Here we see gingham in bright colors. The second scene is titled ‘Durban Tribe’, is tribal tattoo inspired street wear that is versatile and ready-to-wear. This scene has an unusual palette of sienna, olives and ivory. The third scene is titled ‘Voodoo jol’, and reflects Durban’s vibrant colorful personality. This scene is colorful, jazzy and intense with a palette of oranges, azure blues and purples. The final scene rounds up the collection with the inclusion of celebrity models Parsons (Tshepo Maseko) and Nandipha (Hlubi Mboya) from the soap opera Isidingo. Here we see a gentleman trying to woo his love interest but is mischievously rejected by her repetitively, only to succumb to his charm – in the form of sensual kiss. Overall, the Ifa Lethu Heritage Collection was mix of fashion and theatre, a blend the ancestors will be proud off. Words by Aarif Saib. Images courtesy of the MTN Durban Fashion Week photographer Simon...
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