MTN Durban Fashion Week: Life by Andre Martin
In any Durban café, club or event where a sophisticated dress code is required, you will notice a common trend – the garments of Life by Andre Martin have become the standardized uniform for these settings. Hailed as one of the most successful menswear designers in the country, Life by Andre Martin is a brand that is synonymous for sophisticated chic street wear. In his latest collection, we see Martin continuing his historic versatile style, by balancing street wear with semi-formal pieces. He further unveils a new denim wear range and adds a touch of sensuality to this collection with his newly developed ladies range.Martin’s inspiration for this collection is the people that provide the oxygen to the brand – the consumers. Through conversing with the public at his various boutiques stores around the country, Martin has infused their input in developing this collection, putting them at the centre of his designs. The street wear aspect of the collection reflects a palette of colors and styles. I especially like his menswear’s golfers that give a cool and relaxed look. A disappointing feature of the street wear aspect was the inclusion of the menswear denim jacket with the number eight boldly printed in red on the back – a repetitive piece from the last collection. He could have at least changed the number! Denim was the choice of fabrics in this aspect of the collection. The semi-formal aspect of the collection reflects traditional black and white color trends. The ‘little black dress’ piece, a tribute to Coco Chanel, was a nice touch to the collection which reflects the diversity, energy and chicness of the brand. In true Life style, Martin had a few pieces with his famous white collared shirt, though I hoped he had done more with it – repetitiveness does reflect consistency but also a lack of innovation. Overall, Martin’s collection was excellent and did get the crowd in a frenzy, especially the part when topless male models showing of their well toned physiques where throwing t-shirts to the audience. He nearly caused a riot! This weekend I will be hitting Durban’s famous Florida Road strip where I know will be seeing the Life’s uniform everywhere. Words by Aarif Saib. Image courtesy of the MTN Durban Fashion Week photographer Simon...
MTN Durban Fashion Week: Rozanne & Pushkin
Hands down they were one of our favourite runway collections at MTN Durban Fashion Week in 2008 – we’re putting our money on Rozanne & Pushkin to fly the SA flag high both at home and on the international fashion scene, watch this space… very closely. Sharpile to Daniel Cuthbert and Emma Norris for the words and photo’s – see our Represent photostory of the range here: Rozanne & Pushkin’s designer is Rozanne Immermann – a designer that is to be watched very closely. Her designs along with her choice of colour and fabrics were eye-catching and memorable to say the least. Rozanne’s style is a mix of bohemia, chic and elegant and she did not disappoint. Wool, sequins, silk and lace were to name but a few of the fabrics used to make the long dresses, 3/4 length dresses, jumper with leggins along with accessories such as headscarves, bags, bangles and necklaces finished each outfit off perfectly. Rozanne continues to be a Jewel in Durban’s Fashion Crown. Her second shop is due to open next month in Rosebank, and if the past is any indication of the future, it should be a roaring...
MTN DURBAN FASHION WEEK: Gavin Rajah
Yip, we’ve got this year’s MTN Fashion Week in Durban covered, so keep reading Represent for our updates as the excitement unfolds… Thanks to Aarif and Daniel for Representin’… Gavin Rajah – Irreplaceable CLICK HERE for our Fashion Week Flickr site to view some of our photo’s of the action. More to follow. Mademoiselle Coco Chanel once said that in order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different – a philosophy that couturier Gavin Rajah has fully embraced in his Spring/Summer collection unveiled in the 2008 MTN Durban Fashion Week. Aarif Saib was there to witness Mademoiselle’s philosophy taking form on the catwalk… The anticipation for Gavin Rajah’s collection has created an atmosphere of euphoria amongst the audience of mainly celebrities, fashionistas and journalists who had gathered to be mesmerized by Rajah’s métier. Titled ‘La Belle Dame Sans Regret’, Rajah drew his inspiration from Elizabeth Gilbert’s novel ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ – a story about a woman in search of love and purpose. He describes his collection as ‘romantic…and it’s really about a woman traveling on her own and finding love…with pieces to suit her every mood…from being contemplative to being a sultry temptress.’ This season has a multifaceted approach: from cotton and silk voile dresses to soft suede, from swimsuits to knitted cotton cardigans for balmy evening, and not forgetting the renowned Rajah cocktail and evening pieces. His use of exquisite and exotic materials (silk dévore satins, cashmere, knitted bamboo and mohair) gives his outfits a forbidden fruit feel, a decadence that we must all indulge in. Rajah further adds a touch of masculinity to this season by including a few separate pieces for men. The show also highlights his philanthropic activities with UNICEF as a Goodwill Ambassador. Gavin Rajah truly embodies Mademoiselle Coco Chanel’s philosophy this...
Only place to be tonight – Bang my Sneakers
Get downtown to the brand new TILTT FLAGSHIP STORE opening in Braamfontein tonight, it’s the only place to be for any fashion conscious city peeps. Love Jozi is offering major superbargaindiscounts on their short-sleeve t-shirts from Range 7 – as low as R100!!! Click on the flyer to spot the bargain… Represent! Friday, June 27, 2008 Time: 8:00pm – 11:30pm Location: TILTT FLAGSHIP STORE Street: 155 Cnr De Beer & Smit Street, Braamfontein City/Town: Johannesburg, South Africa Our Brands are going Big , were Counting our sneakers before they Hatch !! Join us at the TILTT FLAGSHIP STORE for an evening of Celebration, Champagne and Many many Specials ..25 – 30 % off Premium product and Select items. Come see the freshest and Greatest Creative Recreation collection in the Country, as well as some super Cool Paez Slippers – which are a necessary addition to any waDrobe collection. Directions are easy- from Jan Smuts,go over empire road into Braamfontein. take your first left before the big Statue. At the robots turn right into De Beer Street – follow it straight down to Smit Street. The Sparkling Glass Store is Where we @. 155 Cnr De Beer & Smit...
Durbanites write for us @ Fashion Week
We’re always going on about how much of our great artistic talent comes from Durban, the hot spot of creativity. Well prepare yourselves for the 4th MTN Durban Fashion Week that’s set to shine all over the east coast. Represent is looking for hip and happening Fashion fundi’s to cover this years Fashion Week for us. Please email editor@represent.co.za and tell me why it should be you. You’ll need to be able to write in fluent English although we always like a touch of spice, and have your own ditigal camera or a friend that’s a good photographer. Young, energetic and funky MTN Durban Fashion Week, now in its fourth year, is once again set against the backdrop of Durban’s vibrant ambiance, magnificent Indian Ocean coastline and mixture of African, Eastern and Western cultural influences. MTN Durban Fashion Week 2008 is set to be a visual feast, presented by award-winning South African and international designers. Positioned as the cradle of South Africa’s young and emerging talent, MTN Durban Fashion Week 2008 will marry creativity with business, youth with experience and fashion with a cause, to present a truly spectacular and memorable event. Developing and supporting young and emerging talent has always ranked high on the list of priorities for convener and co-owner of MTN Durban Fashion Week, Vanashree Singh. Concurrent with their annual young designer search at top design schools, MTN Durban Fashion Week has embarked on a ground breaking initiative, partnering with the KZN Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism (DACT) to launch an exploratory programme across KZN, whose main aim is to seek, cultivate and nurture would-be designers who have the talent but lack the means to achieve success in the fashion industry. “MTN Durban Fashion Week has always taken the fashion business seriously and intrinsic to the success of any business is investment at a grassroots level. KZN has a wealth of exceptional design talent and our event presents exciting opportunities to showcase to a wide audience. The South African fashion industry is under continuous threat from foreign imports. We believe by investing in young South African talent, we are promoting Proudly South African brands and thereby making a positive impact on South Africa’s emerging fashion talent. Young talent – their creativity and hard work – is the very essence of what makes MTN Durban Fashion Week a success and we are proud of their achievements.” said Vanashree, This was reiterated by Evan Schiff, spokesperson for, African Fashion International (AFI) who are joint owners of MTN Durban Fashion Week, “MTN Durban Fashion Week fulfils a vital role on the local fashion calendar which falls in line...
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