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Sportswear brand PUMA will be opening a new store in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, this Saturday. The design if the new store gives a nod to Johannesburg’s mining history by featuring mining elements- footwear shelves made to look like mine elevators, for instance. The brand is also rolling out its international Retail 2.0 store design, which has already been seen in Cape Town’s Canal Walk, where a social area and DJ mixing station are part of the set-up.
The shop is located on the corner of De Korte and Melle Streets and will be open on a Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm, and on a Sunday from 9am to 1pm.
With yesterday’s reports flooding in and the twittersphere buzzing with questions we decided as The Frock Report not to entertain the excitement- which we admit we felt- but to try and confirm whether or not this was indeed happening. Yes. Topshop is coming to South Africa this summer, with a planned store opening in Johannesburg’s Sandton City at the end of November- just in time to look good on holiday!
More standalone stores of both TOPSHOP and TOPMAN are earmarked for Durban’s Gateway Theatre of Shopping and other major cities. These will be complimented by smaller ‘shop-in-shops’ that will be exclusive to key Edgars stores.
Topshop promises to house all its latest key trends across both women’s and menswear. Says the brand’s managing director Mary Homer; ‘We’ve wanted to offer our full TOPSHOP retail experience to the fashion conscious South African customer for a long time and now with two fantastic sites we will be able to offer great fashion that is a first to the market.’
According to David Sheperd who is TOPSHOP’s CEO for Trade & Managing Director for TOPMAN the local fashion scene’s growth and vibrancy make us a ‘natural and relevant next step’ for TOPSHOP!
A SNAPSHOT OF THE MR P-ONLINE WEB LAYOUT DISPLAYED ON A SCREEN
Mr Price will be open 24 hours starting Monday 30 July when the clothing retailer’s online store opens to the public. Members of the fashion media were recently taken to Mr Price HQ in Durban to test drive the e-commerce site that is set to take South African online retail industry by storm. A new study by internet research firm World Wide Worx found that most South Africans access the internet via mobile phone. They point out that 59% of the people they sampled in the study had any internet access at all. Of these only 5% access the web on a PC. The genius of Mr Price’s online offering is that it allows users to shop whether they are on a PC, tablet or mobile phone. This will definitely give the retailer a wider reach. Secondly, the fact that non-credit card holders are not discriminated against can only be a plus for Mr Price. Payment options include credit card, debit card, EFT, gift vouchers, store card and even cash-on-delivery should you decide to pick your order up at a branch near you. There’s also a social element to the e-commerce site with users being allowed to share, like and pin their favourite items and wishlists. The site will also feature video content and information about the various trends that one can buy.
MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL FASHION MEDIA WERE ON HAND TO TEST DRIVE THE NEW MR PRICE ONLINE STORE
Having experienced the online store first hand, I can honestly say Mr Price are on to something. My delivery was made less than 24 hours from the time I placed my order. While no mistakes were made in terms of my sizes, colour preferences, etc, it is also comforting to know that one has 30 days within which to return any merchandise via post office, courier or the nearest Mr Price outlet.
mrp.co.za goes live on Monday 30 July
The innovative Butterfly Twist footwear brand is coming to Johannesburg this July with a pop-up store at Morningside Shopping Centre, starting on the 1st. The British brand is a hit with stars including Amelle Berrabah from The Sugarbabes, Sophie Ellis Baxter and Hollywood actress Jane Seymour who have all become big fans of the label started in 2009 by four friends. Styles include ballerina flats and the new slouchy boots which are both not only designed for comfort but also offer convenience as you can fold them up to fit into your handbag. The pictures below demonstrate how the shoes are folded.
How pretty and downright worth it (at R250) are these clutchbags?
No chit-chatter required here. The clutches speak for themselves.
Get your hands on one (or two, or three…) of them by getting in touch with Maria McCloy. If you are unable to get to the Arts On Main market on Sundays, email her on maria@rage.co.za or give her a shout on 0823400262.
You can also find her on Facebook.
Austrian luxury brand Wolford has opened a boutique in Johannesburg’s Hyde Park mall. Wolford is known for hosiery, swimwear, tights, leotards and lingerie in the luxury market but also makes ready-to-wear clothing of which a small collection is also available at the Hyde Park store.
At a time when brick and mortar stores are faced with ever-increasing competition from their online counterparts, one local fashion entrepreneur has decided to create something that will appeal to a small, but very dedicated market that American Express researchers label the ‘L’Atelierites’- shoppers who want a highly personalised shopping experience.
While Nicole Morris-Rosenast cannot promise you a consultation with Marc Jacobs, her new store in Athol, Johannesburg, promises to ‘amplify the shopping experience to a new level, where the focus is on super-service, and carefully selected luxury items from around the world’. The entrepreneur has transformed a private villa in the northern Johannesburg suburb into a store where items have been selected to reflect a taste for elegance. From luxury goods, bridal couture to tableware and art that is hanging on the villa’s walls- it’s all for sale.
The ‘House of Fashion’ also offers membership which comes with the services of an in-house stylist. And if you ever wondered where to get clothing by local designer Danielle Margaux, ‘The House of Fashion’ stocks the label.
The Johannesburg store is located at 93B Deodar Road in Athol. Call them on 011 784 7307.
Capetonians can visit 153 Loop Street for the same shopping experience.
YFM radio jock and aspiring singer Eda Rose has hooked up with Sergio Amaranti on a line of handmade shoes and clutches.
Eda Rose in a pair with Swarovski crystals
From platforms to sandals in the smallest of sizes (they even have a 2), the shoes retail from R 2, 400 to R 5, 800. Clutches come in two types as pictured below, ranging from about R 2, 700. Delivery is free and orders can be sent to Eda herself at sashoeorder@gmail.com
