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Socialites, celebrities and geepees- the term Gauteng Tourism is promoting as a reference to its citizens- painted all shades of pink all over the Turffontein Racecourse at the Sansui Summer Cup this past weekend. There was no shortage of glitz as SA Fashion Week designers also put on a showcase inbetween the races. They included Vesselina Pentcheva, Diamond Face Couture, Gugulam, Rubicon, Ephymol, Sies Isabel as well as Thunderstorm, who showcased ready-to-wear menswear.
The Frock Report managed to get you some pictures of all the glamour displayed by lovers of horseracing and, of course, those who simply came to have a lovely jol out in the sun, mingling with other Geepees.
(PICS: Johan Hattingh)
Suspended ANCYL leader has inspired a fashion line by a designer who is self-proclaimed fan. (PIC: REUTERS)
Fancy a little Juju-inspired fashion? Well, according to reports such a line is on the way, as Pretoria designer Obakeng Ramabudu prepares to launch his Julius Malema-inspired range at next year’s ANC centenary celebrations in Mangaung.
Berets, t-shirts, sunglasses and children’s wear will feature in the range by the designer who is a self-proclaimed fan of the suspended ANCYL leader.
One can only wonder how popular a line inspired by the firebrand leader whose utterances send shivers down the spines of investors and ordinary South Africans alike. Judging by the numbers he managed to draw to his “economic freedom” march a couple of weeks ago, maybe… just maybe, Ramabodu will find much resonance with Malema’s large fan base. With that in mind, I just can’t help wonder what the pricing will be.
Summer is in full swing and, in Johannesburg, the Sansui Summer Cup will be kicking off the party season, packing its own fashion punch as some of the country’s most prominent designers dress socialites and celebrities for the races at Turffontein Racecourse on Saturday November 26.
Some of the designers include Danica Lepen of Marion and Lindie, Ephraim Molingoana as well as Sylvester Falata and the Gugulam and Rubicon labels, among others. Says Danica Lepen; “This season is all about colour. I think the races always bring an opportunity for frivolous dressing, so I imagine we are going to see some fun pieces.”
Former Miss SA, Tatum Keshwar, at last year's event
This year’s fashion theme at Joburg’s oldest race event is “Bling Pink” and SA Fashion Week will be hosting a fashion show, where collections by Clive Rundle, Sies Isabel, Roman Handt and Lunar will be showcased.
The fun begins with a charity event at Arts on Main in Johannesburg’s CBD on Wednesday night.
For the actual race day on Saturday, Gauteng Tourism is offering you the opportunity to win tickets. Visit http://www.gauteng.net/event/sansui_summer_cup_2011/ for more information in this regard.
Joburg-based Qz Zhang-Cowie is the name behind Milk Teeth – the brand that imports one-off pieces (shoes, accessories and clothes) from Hong Kong. One of the city’s best kept shopping secrets, Milk Teeth is available at 70 Juta every Saturday or by appointment at Qz’s apartment.
Here are some of my favourite looks from Milk Teeth’s latest collection – modeled by Jess Sutherland and myself and photographed by Qz.
To view the full collection, visit the Milk Teeth Facebook page.
Estee Lauder cut the ribbon at their new counter at the revamped Edgars store in Sandton City last week, while Australian label Witchery had me lusting after a white blouse that I am most definitely going back for.
Witchery is located within the Stuttafords store at Sandton City and offers minimalist, good quality clothing for both men and women. If you like Country Road and Trenery, who are also of Australian origin, Witchery may just be the label for you, too.
Speaking of quality, the much anticipated ZARA store finally opened its doors to the public on Thursday delivering what I expect to be a blow to the unfairly priced, slack on quality offerings by the likes of YDE. If one thinks of a blazer from ZARA that costs R 500 in comparison to what has become a norm- I’ve come to expect paying twice that at our local retailers- it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out where I’ll be make my purchases. Which is a pity, because I do enjoy wearing local. But if local can not meet me halfway with decent fabrication, who am I to refuse to pay less for great quality.
What I do hope for, however, is that ZARA’s entrance into the South African market will only serve to remind local retailers that customer is King. It’s time for a return to basics, not only in terms of the quality to which I refer to, but also in terms of service and providing customers with a shopping experience rather than just another trip to decreasing bank balances in return for very little and bad attitude from retail staf.
A friend of mine has just alerted me to a post on The Sartorialist where super fashion blogger, Bryan Boy, is spotted wearing beaded necklaces he bought while in South Africa some weeks ago. Thought I should share because I like!
PIC: THESARTORIALIST.COM
So, what exactly happened to Christian Lacroix after his last haute couture collection in 2009? Well, he moved on to a place where talents like him probably feel most at home. Where creativity is not dictated to by the marketplace. A place where dreams don’t die.
The Theatre!
Golly! How theatrical an intro to this post too!
This is what the man has to say about his new fashion adventure…
“I was often accused — when people did not like my work — of doing couture that was too ‘theatrical. Yet when I was a child, I never thought about fashion but only about making costumes.”
The New York Times’ Suzy Menkes reports on a show at the Opera National de Paris, where the cast of a ballet dance in Christian Lacroix designed costumes.
CHRISTIAN LACROIX SKETCHES ON DISPLAY AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM IN SINGAPORE (PIC FROM BUSINESS OF FASHION))
Click here to read Suzy Menkes’ full report and here to view slideshows
