Must-attend: Fashion Battle in Jozi
What a fascinating concept, for anyone interested in fashion and culture, don’t miss this Fash-off. It started with people dressing up in Kinshasa… In January 2007, French artist Jean Christophe Lanquetin staged an exhibition of portraits photographed over a period of two years in the streets of Lingwala, Kinshasa (DRC). The images captured the legendary ‘Sapeurs’, documenting a practice that primarily revolves around street fashion and haute couture, the competitive rituals and performance of dressing up. Implicitly, the practice of ‘sape’ raises arguments around ‘body politics’ and its agency: how to claim one’s own, ‘clean’ and exclusive space in contrast to a disintegrating city and world at large? ‘100 Year War’ is the name of one of the ‘sapeurs’ gangs in Kinshasa and references the extended series of wars that started in France in the 14th Century. The practice of competing in the streets against other groups, such as the ‘Japanese’, to show off the most expensive clothes and ingenious poses, styles and dances, is a highly popular tradition in Kin’. Each ‘sapeur’ challenges the other’s territory – the codes of display, resistance and aspiration towards all that ‘Europe’ represents for them: colonialism, globalism, an affluent world of choices… And in Johannesburg: Continuing with this theme, Lanquetin is collaborating with Joburg designer and artist Athi-Patra on a series of public interventions that aim to explore the local geographies of ‘body politics’, as they are taken up by the Congolese Sapeurs in Yeoville, the Emo-kids and NuKool skool of Melville to Pantsulas and Swankers of Jozi. Leading up to the event on the 30th, the artists stage performances that include the posting of large prints of the ‘Sapeurs’ on the walls of the Fashion District, Yeoville, the Zone and the Drill Hall. This project developed out of the Artist-in-Residency programme facilitated by the Joubert Park Project at the Drill Hall and supported by the French Institute of South Africa in the framework of EUNIC projects, and the National Arts Council of South Africa. With thanks to: Nadine Hutton, Mbuso Kagebe, Lolo Veleko, Ra Ngoato and the Kelektla! Team, Vuyo Gope, Djoca Paulo, Frans Radebe, Tau Skosana and Sakhlie Madi, Adam Levine, Cleo-Patra, Laurent Clavel and the IFAS team, the sapeurs of Kinshasa and all particpants. A project developed by artist-in-residency JEAN-CHRISTOPHE LANQUETIN & ATHI-PATRA RUGA & the Joubert Park Project in association with the French Institute of South Africa WEDNESDAY 30 APRIL, 6:30pm till late Drill Hall, Corner Twist and Plein Street, Joubert Park Opposite Noord Street Taxies /Shell Garage Free Entrance, Secure Parking & Cash...
‘BACK TO THE CITY’ Street Festival
Freedom day is on Sunday – we hope everyone is celebrating this special day, remembering our past, celebrating our vibrant present but also looking to the very promising future of South Africa. The second annual Street Festival is taking place in Newtown, so get amongst! On the morning of the 27th of April, a wave of urban youth will stream into downtown Newtown for the popular, annual Back to the City festival. Disciples and converts of the hip-hop movement will celebrate the art and urban culture through a day of live performances, street art, extreme sports and exhibitions. The one-day event was launched with critical acclaim from the hip-hop media and masses last year, winning accolades such as Hype magazine’s event of the year. The second edition promises more historic performances, boasting a Fiery line up of 22 mc’s, 10 dj’s, 8 graffiti crews and thousands of young people celebrating the birth of South Africa’s democracy. Cutting edge performers from various parts of the country will deliver hot commentary and entertainment in diverse indigenous languages while artists will be expressing their freedom in colours. This event will take place outside RITUAL STORES at corner Bree and Henry Nxumalo streets in Newtown. Aside from being entertained, audiences will get to attend an educational summit, which will be held at City Varsity. Hosted by the British Council, the workshops offer an exchange of knowledge. Individuals working in the mass media industry will cover topics such as publishing, distribution, recording, music videos, and independent vs. mainstream, entrepreneurship and advertising. Performances by: Zuluboy, Mo Molemi, Driemanskap, Prokid, Ben Sharpa, Fifi, Cuba, Hymphatic Thabs, Substance, The Scavengers, Koldproduk, Reason, Mawetu, The Anvilz, Damola, Bianca Williams, Abantu, The Federation, Zeus, DJ’s Kenzhero, KGB, Blaq T, Raiko, Soosh, Medicine, Graffiti Crews: PCP – MSE – SEC – FUK – IAP – TK – DS – UN ENTRANCE: FREE DATE: 27 April 2008, Freedom Day TIME: 10:00 – 23:00 PLACE: Ritual Stores Cnr Bree & Henry Nxumalo Street...
Get to the Alex for sexy shoes on Saturday
We’re loving the online sneaker retailer aka etailer Tiltt especially the handmade Paez shoes from Argentina that they’re featuring on their front page at a very affordable R300. Catch Tiltt as they come out of virtual and into Braamfontein at the sexy new Alex Theatre at their brand experience aka shoe sale this Saturday – take your money with you – they look good enough to buy! Fo Sho! Tiltt an e-tailer and premium brand distributor based in Johannesburg will cater to all you sneaker aficionados on Saturday, November 17th, with “The Brand Showcase”. The exhibit will be held at the ultra cool Alex theatre in braamfontein; doors open at 10am till 5pm. Set in the trendy alex theatre bar you will be able to shop shoes and accessories from Creative recreation, Paez, String Republic, Rooga and Sneaker Freaker. The showcase will display one of the most complete independently owned footwear brand collections in South Africa. The Alex Theater is located at: 36 Stiemens street Braamfontein Johannesburg TILTT (T) 0118833187 (E) info@tiltt.co.za (W)...
Who’s messing with LOVEJOZI?
We didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when we spotted these “Fongkongs” or ripoffs of local design label Love Jozi being sold blatantly in the streets of Johannesburg at a third of the price of the originals – see our previous LoveJozi article here. The laughing part is that they’ve incorrectly spelt LOVE as LUV and the crying part is the quality of these shirts in no way matches that of the originals – no doubt some cats will scoop them up for the bargain. It’s wack. Oh well, as long as our awesome city is getting lots of Love… or is that LUV. We’ve contacted the LoveJozi team and await their response....
Earthquake tonight in Soweto!
It’s been so wonderful watching the rise to fame of John Sithole and his label “Earthquake” over the past few years. Many of you will remember helping him out right at the start with the Lotto Jeans project, others would have caught him scooping up the honours on Fashion Your Future – either way, the boy is kicking some serious touche. Get to Soweto tonight where his range will open the Joburg Fashion week as part of the young designers collection. You go Buddy! Soweto’s position as one of the creative powerhouses of the new South Africa will be re-affirmed with the hosting of the first day of Joburg Fashion Week, which runs between the 21st and 25th August. Organised by African Fashion International, conveners of Cape Town Fashion Week and the new talent showcase MTN Durban Fashion Week, the hosting of the first day of a major international fashion week is a potent symbol of the rapid transformation of Soweto. The Soweto Collections are the first major fashion week event to be held in the area. The event will feature designers from the area and represents some of the unique young talent that Soweto has produced. Designers showcasing spring/summer collections during the day include Mzansi Designers, Nhlanhla (also known for her singing career with Mafikizolo), John Sithole (Earthquake), Sibu Msimang Designs and Malikah. They will also be joined by David Tlale, Thabani Mavundla and Thula Sindi who have recently returned from exhibiting at Paris Fashion Week. The event will be hosted at Walter Sisulu Square, Soweto in front of a specially invited audience of South Africa’s key fashion media, VIPs, fashion industry leaders and members of the local community. Following the event, Joburg Fashion Week will then move to Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton where designers such as Marianne Fassler, Sun Goddess, David Tlale, Spero Villioti, KlukCGdT, Hip Hop and Habits will showcase spring/summer collections amongst many other leading South African designers. “Soweto played a key part in the birth of the new South Africa and is a potent symbol of the evolution of our country. Township culture is entirely unique and has become the driving creative force of our country. Holding the first day of the newly launched Joburg Fashion Week in Soweto is an important part of our commitment to supporting all areas of South African fashion,” said Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, Chairperson of African Fashion International. The event is part of a broader strategy of African Fashion International to support emerging talent, particularly from township and rural communities and provide a world-class platform for their work. The Soweto Collection will be produced by expert show producer Deon Redman and...
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