Represent Review: Fashion is good for the Soul
Our Fashion Fundi Vincent Zondo attended the Old Mutual Soul Sessions last week and resoundingly rates it an official ‘must attend’. Some people foolishly believe fashion can get by on talent alone, a good small-business understanding is PARAMOUNT to creating a profitable, growing brand – aha, lightbulb moment? don’t say we didn’t try to convince you otherwise… Durbanites and Port Elizabethans, you still have a chance to catch the sessions: While sporting the ultimate “it” bag from GUCCI – Betty Suarez (from the hit TV series – UGLY BETTY) said, “Fashion is GOOD for the soul”. Staying true to this statement is the Old Mutual Soul Sessions’ which is my MUST attend event for all the soul providers, designer’s, fashionistas and young entrepreneurs this pre-Spring. I personally love this time of the year because the fashion industry is buzzing and dishing out plates of excitement, glamour and cutting edge designs that keep us perched on the edge of our front row seats. It’s an absolute bloom of all things fabulous, new fashion trends, the discovery of that all-new designer with the potential to take the industry to new heights or secure our Fashion on the global map. The Joburg Fashion Week hit us three weeks ago, Virgin Mobile Cape Town fashion week took place last week and I am so looking forward to the Sanlam Fashion week this coming week. And while all these events carry fresh talent, piping hot trends and chic designs, I recently unearthed a new gem in the basket, and it has the potential to inject much-needed fashion business sense into this industry. The-Venue in Melrose Arch saw the dawn of the much anticipated Old Mutual Soul Session (which we profiled last week) and the experience was beyond measure. This exceptional event shed some light into the path of success like no other that I have witnessed before. Speakers like Pie Pacifique shared the most intimate details of how they got to the top; what stood out for me here were the benefits our designers could gain, and most importantly the power of the human spirit in testing times – post this session I truly felt that the potential to survive this cut-throat arena is very much within reach. And when Sonwabile Ndamase exposed us to some of his newly discovered proteges from his fashion awards event – the crowd raved through the roof at the potential of these young designers. Young designers have been observing the innovators of our growing fashion industry and this inspiration plus the combination of talent, hard-work as well as essential business savvy skills required, will ensure success for their...
Hello Lionel, is it me you’re looking for ???
Everyone has their soft spot. For some, it’s chocolate, for others, it’s Madonna (what???). For us, it’s Lionel. Anyone that’s a friend of Editorista will know how she and certain friends get all soppy and soft when the legendary Lionel’s voice comes on the radio, although it’s usually being played off an ipod or cd as being such fans, they have the entire collection. So she just wanted to remind you of how you MUST MUST MUST go to his concert when Lionel graces our shores in November… SCREAM…… Do it to me one more time! BIG Concerts are thrilled to announce that one of the most prolific hitmakers, Lionel Richie will tour South Africa in November this year. The highly anticipated tour, presented by 94.7 Highveld Stereo, will play ABSA Stadium in Durban on the 25th of November, and 28th November the Coca Cola Dome, Johannesburg. Lionel Richie has set aside the 22nd November 2008 to perform in Cape Town, the details of which will be released in due course. “Lionel Richie is a popular music artist featured on 94.7 Highveld Stereo’s playlist. His song, ‘I Call It Love’ has proved particularly popular among our listeners, as have a number of other hits he has produced over the years,” said 94.7 Station Manager Ravi Naidoo. “The fact that he’s coming to South Africa to perform is truly amazing and we’re honoured to be a partner to this tour.” “Simplicity,” Lionel Richie explains, “is the key to what I do.” These are surprising, even shocking, words from an artist whose achievements, creatively and commercially… have been anything but simple. Lionel Richie is, after all, one of the world’s most recognized and rewarded performers. He’s sold nearly 100 million albums and is the biggest selling RnB artists in South Africa with over 1 million records sold, notching up twenty-two Top 10 singles, including legendary hits such All Night Long, Dancin’ on the Ceiling, Hello and the Commodores’ Brickhouse, Easy, and Zoom. Among the many awards that grace his shelves, the collection includes five Grammy Awards, an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and not to mention piles of American Music and People’s Choice awards. “I want to find the simplest phrase that everybody says, no matter what language you speak.” Richie’s perspective is a product of nearly four decades of making music, since he co-founded the Commodores in 1967 at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Signed in 1971 to Motown, The Commodores became one of America’s most popular bands by the mid-’70s. Richie began stepping outside the Commodores after producing Kenny Roger’s album “Share Your Love” in 1981, which spawned the hit “Lady”....
Durban International Film Festival
The Durban International Film Festival “entitled ‘LOVE FILM HATE XENOPHOBIA ‘ takes place this week from the 23 July to the 3 August – Durbanites make sure to get amongst, hook yourself up tickets for both Triomf and Jerusalema, two of this years ‘must see’ flieks. This year DIFF gathers together an expressive concentration of 71 South African films, comprising 10 feature films, 29 documentaries and 32 short films which indicate the steady growth of filmmaking in this country. Underscoring the broader African presence of a further 38 films from the continent will be the Ousmane Sembene Retrospective, a presentation of all the major works of the late, great father of African cinema. Principal screening venues of DIFF 2008 are Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre; Nu-Metro Cinecentre – Suncoast; Ster Kinekor Musgrave, Cinema Nouveau – Gateway; Ekhaya Multi-Arts Centre in KwaMashu; KwaSuka Theatre, and the BAT Centre, with further screenings in township areas where cinemas are non-existent, and a special programme of screenings at Luthuli Museum on the North Coast. Read more below, booking info at the bottom: Cinema in all its diversity will once again be celebrated at the 29 th Durban International Film Festival which runs from 23 July to 3 August. Featuring more than 200 films from more than 95 countries, spread over more than 300 screenings at 26 venues across the city, the festival will bring together established masters of cinema and innovative new talents from around the world. Alongside the presentation of the some of the year’s finest films, the festival will run an extensive workshop and seminar programme giving the regions aspirant filmmakers an opportunity to learn from and be inspired by some of cinema’s greats. Opening the festival is the African Premiere of Ralph Ziman’s Jerusalema, a gritty gangster thriller set on the harsh streets of Johannesburg . The festival will close with Mike Leigh’s uplifting new comedy, Happy-Go-Lucky . The festival will offer an exciting journey into the world of contemporary cinema with a range of feature films, documentaries and short films that will not only entertain, but enlighten and inspire. Festival director Peter Rorvik explains: “ The Durban International Film Festival opens a window on the world, provides access to many different cultures and provides a space in which the cinematic art form transcends national boundaries. The recent tragic events in South Africa give cause to highlight what has long been a central idea of the Durban International Film Festival: to create understanding and acceptance of different cultures through the medium of film. A special programme of films focuses on the issue of xenophobia, and some of its attendant roots such as...
Sunday Bloody Sunday in Durbs
Nothing like great live music to sweep away the Sunday blues, Durbanite, you’re in luck, get to Harvey Wallbangers on Sunday 15th June 2008 round 5pm for ELIZABETH, GONZO REPUBLIC & THE PRIVATES. It’s FREE too! Check out the bands below: Elizabeth is a combination of three talented artists from Durban with a style that is different and harmonies that are creatively crafted and delivered in an original sound. Elizabeth was born out of pure love. Love for music, love for lovers, love for family, love for friends, love for hurting and love for life. Check out Elizabeth on www.reverbnation.com/elizabethdurban Gonzo Republic teams up again with The Privates International band after doing an amazing show in Johannesburg earlier this month. Gonzo Republic is made up of 4 talented musicians and they are currently busy with their debut album and have already got an EP out. You can listen to Gonzo Republic on www.myspace.com/gonzorepublicband The Privates International band have released their self titled album and have been performing and wowing crowds all over South Africa with their sound that has been described as Hectic-Eclectic. The band has also just completed a music video for the song ‘Magical Day’ yes the show promises to be one of those unforgettable nights. Check out The Privates International band on www.myspace.com/theprivatesinternationalband The event starts at 5pm at Harvery Wallbangerz and it is free entry. Harveys is on corner of Broadway and Kensington Drive in Durban North. Tel: (031) 563...
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...