It’s the time of the year when we put on our most fashionable frocks and air kiss our way into the darkness of the fashion theatre. The South African Fashion Week Autumn Winter 2013 collections kick off on Thursday 27 September at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Pastel is the trend that is all over the place this season as seen  in the fashion spread of W Magazine.

Some of the most talented local designers will be showing – Colleen Eitzen, Palse HOMME, Rubicon, Black Coffee, Ephymol and it will help to get your body into top summer shape before spoiling yourself with some of this season’s hottest trends by tucking into a healthy bowl of Kellogg’s Special K to start the day.

If you’re lucky enough to score a ticket to the show, you’ll need to look just right to compete with the fashionistas in the front row. We’re never sure who gets more attention: the models on the catwalk showing next season’s hottest looks, or the fashion editors, bloggers and buyers in the front row sitting crossed-legged in the bright circle of light cast by the runway. Some are in neon, some in pastel or prints, but they all have one thing incommon. They look fabulous.

If you too want to feel at home among those on the cutting edge of South African style, start by feeling your best with Kellogg’s Special K and love the way you look this summer in South Africa’s
hottest designs.

I asked some of the best in the business what we can expect to see local editors and bloggers wearing in the front row at SAFW at the end of the month.

Sharon Becker: Fashion Director, Marie Claire South Africa Magazine

“When I’m sitting in the front row I want to show off our local designers and support their great work,” Sharon says. “Right now I’m loving Suzaan Heyns, who launched her spectacular new shop in Melrose Arch last week.”

“In the front row at SAFW this season we’ll be seeing the trends from the international Spring
Collections 2012: Lots of colour ranging from pastels – seen on the beautiful cut-out floral shapes at the Louis Vuitton Spring shows…

Source: Getty Images

to neon – which Jil Sander brought in as a huge trend last spring.

Source: Lolitaluvs Blog

“On the other end of the spectrum African prints are huge this season, as seen at Burberry’s Spring
shows.”

Source: fashionising.com

“For those that prefer a more casual, laid back look, sports-inspired attire is big in fashion this year. The London Olympics 2012 was the inspiration for this look that is sure to make an appearance in the front row of SAFW at the end of the month,” saysSharon.

Source: Rag Pony

Melissa Maxted- Henderson: Style Editor, Heat South Africa Magazine

I think we’ll see a lot of pastel shades in everything from clothing to hair colours and lots of mermaid shine and scalloped forms from feminine rose gold metallics to whack 80s dance dresses.

Pastels were all over the international runways.

The mermaid look is hot this Spring. It was a big inspiration for the Elle Rising Star winner Jane Elizabeth Kotze.

Blue shine is on everything, including nails.

Sweet pinks are in too. All images sourced by Melissa

Kirsty Stoltz: Fashion Director Grazia South Africa

Kirsty Stoltz, fashion editor of Grazia Magazine says: “This year at SA Fashion Week I’ll be wearing sports inspired pieces with touches of neon. Neon is a huge trend for summer. The best way to wear it is to pair with a ladylike pastel bag. I’m obssessed with sparkly shoes and will definitely be sporting ultra feminine low heeled court shoes.

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