The 3, 2, 1 take-off: A weekend of launches.
by Ludwig Spies The Sextons launch their debut album Welcome to Forever The Sextons launched their debut album Welcome to Forever on Saturday, 7th November. The launch party took place at Dakota Lee Tattoo Shop & Rockabilly Bar in the Design on Appel complex in Kramerville, Sandton. Dakota Lee is a multi-faceted creative space infused with all the sexiness of rock and indie culture – the perfect venue for The Sextons’ unpretentious sound. Performing live, Jamie-Lee Sexton’s voice acquires a whole new level of intimacy that further enhances the narratives of the album. Instead of boring the crowd with long stories about the difficulty of success, The Sextons just got everyone excited with their lust for life and their authenticity. Welcome drinks were sponsored by Red Bull Summer Edition and live DJ’s played before and after the artist set. Welcome to Forever is currently available on iTunes. Caroline Leisegang hypnotises with her first album Øyeblikk Contemporary classical composer Caroline Leisegang introduced her album of pieces for piano to the public at a warm soirée hosted by Rabbit In The Moon at the Thrupps Illovo Centre, Illovo. Leisegang is partly of Norwegian origin and the music on this album is inspired in part by the elements of the melancholic and sometimes eerie Norwegian weather. A definite chill runs through her compositions that evoke images of frosted forests, icy creeks and quiet white expanses. Leisegang played Vinter (Winter) from the album, but prefers to cede concert playing to her friend and colleague Judith van der Wat aka Jude HarpStar. Leisegang explains that an able composer is not necessarily an equally able pianist. Van der Wat, a prodigious musical talent, played five pieces from the album: Drømme I (Dreams I), Forelsket (Falling in Love), Rød Regndråper (Red Raindrops), Drømme II (Dreams II) & Karusell (Carousel). Guests were treated to tapas-style cuisine and whilst the sounds of the piano spoke of snow and ice, we enjoyed a fine summer evening al fresco. Øyeblikk is currently available on iTunes. AGEO Menswear summer showcase and website ‘launch’ AGEO Menswear presented a showcase of their collections shown at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week 2015 and the South African Fashion Week AW16 at Sandton’s The VIP Room . The event doubled as the brand’s website launch. Unfortunately, the party was not nearly as well attended as the pair from AGEO had hoped it would be, and logistical issues delayed the start of the showcase. A Google search on Monday revealed that the website is not yet live. In the meantime customers will have to stick it out with AGEO’s Facebook page...
The Warner Music Fashion Experience with Amos Tranque & Ephraim Malingoane at SAFW AW16
By Ludwig Spies Fashion and music have been lovers for a very long time, continuously and heavily influencing one another. Both are intensely sensorial forms of expression and together they give rise to cultural movements that embody the mood, attitudes, ideals, context and the anxieties of a generation. This year SAFW AW16 saw Warner Music SA partner with designers Amos Tranque and Ephraim Molingoana to produce a climactic end show for the week. The atmosphere in the show tent was positively electric, and the guests could not help but smile when the iconic high-pitched notes of Madonna’s Vogue rang out from the speakers. The show opened with the scientific severity of Tranque and ended with Ephymol’s richesse. The mere fact that a menswear show could be produced to showcase this juxtaposition is a testament to the development of the South African fashion industry. Read the details below. AMOS TRANQUE by Amos Tranque 1-WORD-DESCRIPTION: Fundamental DESIGN: 9/10 INNOVATION: 10/10 WEARABILITY: 9/10 In The South African Fashion Handbook Tranque explains that he draws inspiration from disciplines like psychology, science and philosophy. This intellectual orientation was evident in his collection, yet the final product was highly wearable. This must be due to a keen ability to deconstruct his sources of inspiration and apply their fundamentals in a functional way to the business of creating clothes. Hence, one cannot help but draw the parallel between Tranque and cubist painter and fellow Spaniard, Picasso. Tranque’s collection featured robust, geometric designs in a black, white and grey palette, and smooth, acrylic and vinyl textures perfected the hypermodern style of the garments. There is no doubt the South African market has gained greatly from the addition to the industry of Tranque’s fashion architecture. Web: amostranque.com Facebook: http://amostranque EPHYMOL by Ephraim Molingoana 1-WORD-DESCRIPTION: Snazzy DESIGN: 10/10 INNOVATION: 8/10 WEARABILITY: 10/10 Molingoana revisited the suave 70s with a collection of boldly patterned form-fitting suits, tailored trousers and tight long-sleeved tops with minimal collars. The cuts and the palette of muted coppers, bronzes, steel, army greens and artichoke were reminiscent of 70s playboys and older military uniforms. The garments had the fantastic effect of accentuating the contours of the male body – highlighting the shoulders, the S-curve of the spine and the perk of the derrière. Glamorous alpha masculinity with a dose of good-humoured...
Robin Hood steals SAFW Menswear Scout title
By Ludwig Spies The development of strong menswear labels is a notoriously difficult task. In the past, newcomer designers were unlikely to try and enter the fashion industry with menswear collections; it was seen as a conservative category, full of constraints resulting from social and gender conventions. Now, however, it’s the branch of fashion where the most exciting experimentation occurs, and it’s not just about boys in dresses. Trousers, shorts, shirts, suits – all the conventional garment and ensemble types – have experienced reinterpretation and innovation. Henni de Kock from Rogue Wear The SAFW Menswear Scout Competition was launched last year to much celebration, and the second installment at the AW showing this year did not disappoint, with the collections taking note of international movements without simply copying and reproducing established international brands. The winner’s title went to Henni de Kock from Rogue Wear, whose total prize package is R85 000 and includes show slots at SAFW SS16/17 and representation by The Fashion Agent. Read about all the Scout shows below. For contact and stockist information, please follow the links included. INFLUENCED (INF) by Tristan Bain Venn 1-WORD-DESCRIPTION: Metamaterials DESIGN: 10/10 INNOVATION: 9/10 WEARABILITY: 10/10 Tristan Bain Venn truly realised the name of her brand with a collection that clearly exhibited its inspirations. Metallic sheen, polymer textures and basic geometric proportions conjured up images of futuristic/sci-fi aesthetics, utility wear and functional South and East Asian garments. Bell chose to use neither embellishments nor busy patterns. Instead, her cuts allowed the full drama of the exciting fabrics to unfold. By means of clever design and execution, the fundamental and functional parts of the garments – clamp studs, clasps, collars, drawstrings, stitching and seams – provided each item with characteristic and definitive detail. The collection was simply a triumph of minimalist elegance; sexy like cool metal. Facebook: INFLUENCED AGEO by Arnold Phasha 1-WORD-DESCRIPTION: Oceanic DESIGN: 5/10 INNOVATION: 7/10 WEARABILITY: 6/10 This collection appeared to be inspired by traditional male garments from native South American, North African, Middle-Eastern and Central Asian cultures. The thick knitwear in rough textures particularly evoked images of traditional Afghan attire, while the long cloaks, robes and large-volume scarves granted a certain solemn, ecclesiastical quality to the collection. Although the collection comprised individual garments that were elegantly executed and possessed stimulating detail, it was collectively somewhat lackluster. In some garments the fabric seemed to have reacted unfavourably to the stitching, others lacked shape and some of the textures appeared unattractive. Even the colour palette was questionable, which made one question whether they were in fact designed with a collection in mind. Facebook: AGEO RIP ‘N...
AFRIPOP! is now on Apple Music!
Listeners in Africa can now hear music curated by Afripop’s team of music experts on Apple Music. How rad? Global African pop culture site AFRIPOP! joins a group of select curators on Apple Music, and members in Africa can now access regularly updated playlists of music carefully chosen by a team of music tastemakers, led by editor Phiona Okumu. A long-standing champion for urban African music on the continent, as well as in the UK and the US, AfriPOP! will continue in its music-forward tradition, making sure that the best, most relevant and deserving sounds from Africa and the Diaspora get heard worldwide. “When you look back on what happened when Drake jumped on and played Wizkid’s song Ojuelegba on his Beats 1 show, you realize the potential for impact when the right songs get into the right hands. Literally, anyone has a chance at the big time because of the levelling effect of digital. I can’t think of a more exciting time to be involved in pushing music than right now!” says Phiona Okumu, AfriPOP! Editor. Read all about it here ...
Quick chat with Minnie Dlamini
TV Personality Minnie Dlamini will be joining J’Something on last week’s episode of Knorr Whatsfordinner. We asked her a few questions about her favourite meal, see below how it went down. As Heritage month comes to an end , what are your most favourite dishes that you like making? I love my traditional foods, I’m a typical Zulu girl. I’ll learn how to cook all my favourites one day 2. How would you describe your relationship with Food? I love food, I try to be healthy so I will mostly have a salad for lunch and something light for dinner. I usually have a veggie juice or smoothie for breakfast. On a Sunday and when I’m in Durban with my mom and dad, that is when I let go and eat the soul food – but also not too much. How was it cooking With J’something and what are your highlights from the show? It was awesome – we made something quick and simple. J is a great host and teacher. People can expect a few giggles and a few embarrassing moments from my friends at my expense. Knorr and J’something invite you to sign up now for the next classes before it’s too late. Remember to also tune in for the season finale of Knorr whatsfordinner on Sat. Oct 3rd at 7pm on SABC 3. For more recipes, tips and ideas visit www.facebook.com/whatsfordinner Next Cooking Classes: Saturday October 10th 10:00am – 12:00 Bunny Chow with mutton curry & Curried Samp Easy Cape Style Bobotie, French Onion Soup with mozzarella toast Saturday October 22nd 10:00am – 12:00 Classes take place at: SMEG showroom – 2985 William Nicol Drive, Bryanston. Tickets will cost R200 per person and each guest will receive a Knorr goodie bag. Space is limited and bookings can be made through the SA Culinary Club info@saculinaryclub.co.za....
Travel diary: SoulProviders explores Zimbabwe in style
By Lebogang Mgiba After a long seven days of being kept in suspense, we were finally told the destination for our SoulProviders weekend away. We were going to Zimbabwe! Since we only found out on the day of our departure, we didn’t have much time for the news to sink in before jumping on a plane and flying off to what would be the weekend of a lifetime. Each year, Sarah-Jane ‘SJ’ Boden, our CEO takes us away as part of our long-term incentive program at SoulProviders. SJ believes that we all need to experience the wealth of countries and cultures in Africa, right on our doorstep – and it’s not only a way to encourage people to travel, but her way of saying thank you for all the hard work we do throughout the year and to reward our loyalty. Anyway, if you think Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga is hot, then you need to visit Zimbabwe. It. Is. HOT! When we arrived at Livingstone Airport (Zambia), the thirst was killing us, but we were all a bit scared to drink the tap water in this new country, since the last thing we needed was to get sick on Day 1. Our shuttle from the airport took us across to Zimbabwe, with its rich history and culture, and our awesome tour guide, Shadrach, kept us entertained all the way. As he talked us thorough the sights, the word ‘activity’ kept popping up and it started to sound quite funny. Actually, it became the ‘word of the weekend’. It turns out that Zimbabwe is a tourist destination and, in an attempt to earn a living, the tour guides are keen for visitors to participate in all sorts of ‘activities’ with a hard sell from the minute you hit the tarmac. Luckily, we already had an ‘activity’ waiting for us at 16:00 – a sunset cruise. I’ve never experienced anything as beautiful as that cruise along the Great Zambezi River and it was then that I realised we really do live on an amazing continent, which deserves to be explored. What made the experience even more special for me was that I could share it with the people I love – my colleagues. There’s a time and place for solo travel and this wasn’t one of them. Back on land, I was blown away by how exquisite The Kingdom Hotel is. It’s actually quite therapeutic, because of the nature, the waterfall and the absolute tranquillity. And then there was the joyful moment when I received my hotel key and a piece of paper with two magic words written on it saying: ‘free...
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