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...
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...
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