Every week is fashion week.

Since the beginning of September it's been fashion week, first it was NY, then London, Milan and now it’s Paris, and this happens twice a year. I have trouble keeping up and I’m in front of my laptop, at the comfort of my own home. South African fashion weeks are easier to deal with, they are all at the same venue, unlike the ones mentioned above which could send all around town. I wonder how those models, editors and fashion buyers cope, with all the world travelling, the back to back shows and all those after parties...I'd love to be part of it, I love travelling and partying and I definitely wouldn’t get tired of all the clothes but I admit, I would have to take extra precaution and prepare myself mentally and physical for all the jet setting before fashion week season begins.

Photo by Scott Schuman

It's official: Rose Gold Rocks!

I am obsessed with rose gold and I don't know where this obsession originated from, even iPhones are getting blinged out in rose gold.
All I know though is that there is a Fossil watch made of rose gold and I want it...BADLY!

Balenciaga goes from the Runway to the Streets

Spotted at London Fashion Week, is this great street execution of a runway garment. When I first saw this Balenciaga jacket on the 2008 Spring show, I thought to myself...lovely! But how on earth would one wear this beautiful yet very structured item without looking like they just fell of the runway? This person did it very well and they wore it in such a casual manner...I like it.

Photos by style.com and TOPSHOP

Sophie Theallet proves that black is still in vogue

Back to the race old debate and NYWeek (everyone is in London Week now), I was happy to see that using an all black model cast didn't end with July's Black Issue of Italian Vogue; Sophie Theallet had a cast of only black models for her entire Spring 2009 NY show which included runway regulars like Atong Arjok and Hollis Wakeema. I would have also loved to see Chanel Iman and Jourdan Dunn included in the line up.

At first I thought it was a gimmick but then I realised that gimmick or not, it was good. This dispelled the myth that black girls, don't look good on or that they "don't sell" runway clothes. According to style.com, Sophie Theallet says the only reason she used the girls, was that she thought the colours would "look amazing on dark skin", they indeed looked lovely.

I wish all designers would cast on those basis of who flatters the garment or if the model is a professional. I don't want to see an all-black or an all-white show, let it be on what's looks great on the clothes, fashion should always be the winner.

Photo courtesy of style.com

Lewis Hamilton is coming to SA....in 2011

I read on this week's Sunday Times that "SA is in line to host a F1 Grand Prix in 2011" and the F1 boss, Ecclestone has "agreed in principle to race in SA". I hope this is true, the F1 is one of the most glamorous sporting events, I've ever been to.

In 2005, I attended the Malaysian Grand Prix, Alonso won that memorable race, it was an amazing experience, the sound of the car engines, the beautiful people from all over the world, even the cars that belonged to the fans were a marvel to watch.
As matter of fact, I met a couple of South Africans who were proudly flying our flag, their aim was to promote SA as potential F1 host, I guess they have succeeded

The mood in the city was one full of excitement, it was just out of this world. I really wish the same for our country.

Photo courtesy of channel4.com

New York - Spring 2009

I'm attending NY fashion week, through style.com of course, their daily updates are amazing...I'm loving the collections.
What I love the most is the fact that I can see whats coming up next summer and wear it this summer i.e. I can look for similar styles and wear them in December 2008 instead of December 2009...that's one way we can cheat the northern hemisphere, that way we become ahead of them, in terms of wearing the "trends".

Fashion Exhibition - SA Fashion Week, August 2008

Last weekend, I checked out the fashion exhibition that was running in conjunction to all the runway shows during SA fashion week, I hope they keep doing it.

The designers could show and sell their wares directly to the public. For only R60, we could touch and feel the collection soon after it gets of the runway.  I think this is a great initiative by the sponsors to get the fashion directly from the designer to the consumers. I certainly enjoyed touching Anisa Mpungwe's winning collection, and those silky frocks from Abigail Betz were heavenly, to mention just a few. Seeing all the clothes up-close and personal was great.

I loved the sneakers from Creative Recreation crew; they should consider putting the metallic hi-tops on sale too.
 
PS: The complimentary belt that came with the ticket purchase was pretty cool...now I just have to find a way to wear it; my bf is already wearing his.

ELLE-MANGO Workshop

That's where I will be tonite...looking forward to the coming season's trends.

Report Back : Baby Phat

The launch was great - it screamed BLING and lived up to its fabulousity reputation.

Fabulousity...

I'm looking forward to the Baby-Phat launch tonight. I can't wait to see the fabulous clothes on the fabulous people, who'll be there for all the fabulousity...

Lavender Hill in Action

I couldn't help but notice that the Matthew Williamson dress which I posted on Lavender Hills was featured on this weeks Vogue's Best Dressed List on Style.com. Olivia wore it with black shoes, when I chose to pair it with purple ones, though their style is quite similar. I love the dress.

Photo of style.com

Joburg Fashion Week S/S 08 23 - 26 July

Joburg Fashion Week is here people. I am really looking forward to it, the one collection I can’t wait to see is Siphakeme Ndlovu's. I first came across her at an ELLE New Talent Exhibition; she had one of the coolest installations. Ever since then, I have been following her career.
The outfits in the above photos are part of her last winter's collection. I wonder what she has in store for us for the summer.

Abigail Keats never disappoints, check her out too.

http://www.africanfashioninternational.com

Photo courtesy of Mzu Nhlabathi (iFashion)

Palesa Tshukudu is Psychic

On Saturday night, Destiny Magazine hosted a fashion exhibition by Palesa at Suite 16 in Sandton. I saw her signature cockail dresses, I must say - she is talented...I hope she releases a new collection this summer.

Lavender Hills

What I'm Reading...

I have'nt finished reading it, but I'm enjoying it.

From the Streets

Her name is Kgomotso, she's a journalist for Tonight. I really loved her look.

Maria - Maria

Even though Maria is out, I wont forget her tux outfit, it surely gave Wimbeldon a style injection...and she always wears cutest earings, I heard she's got a deal with Tiffany's, lucky girl.

Tie me UP

I was watching FTV and I saw a Fendi special. What I noticed alot more than the rest were the BELTS. Every outfit they sent down the ramp had a belt cinched around the waist, you know to keep it all together. They had the most amazing belts, it seems for them the belt makes the outfit. That inspired me to go out and find myself one. I found a good black leather belt from FOSSIL at 50% off (I still love a good bargain).
The belt makes the outfit, so go on - cinch yourself.

Bargain Hunter

I love it when I get a good deal, over the weekend. I got myself Diesel pants and Diesel Jeans at 82% and 53% off respectively at the Diesel shop in Menlyn. Gosh, I love a good bargain.

I got Carried away

On Friday me and my girls were all dressed up to get Carried away. The movie was great, insanely funny, I really enjoyed it. I'll admit, for me, it was more about the clothes than anything else. I must say Miranda's clothes did it for me this time, as in, its stuff I could wear everyday. Of course Carrie's fashion was to die for, its edgy and creative and so now. Overall it was a success.

The Wisdom of Letting Go

I was at a market in Marabastad, sometime during the day. I saw a second hand Burberry Coat. I was a genuine Burberry; it was hard for me to believe it. Unfortunately it was about 4 sizes bigger than I am; I had to let it go. I have learned the wisdom to let go...Hhmm, did I make the right choice? I'm not so sure anymore...

Stylish Tribes of the World UNITE

We are currently having a xenophobia crisis in my country. As angry as this makes me, I get dumb struck every time I try to talk about it. Maybe we having a look at these photos will show us how Africa and its different tribes have influenced style and maybe we can all learn to appreciate what the different nations contribute to our lives and the world. There are lot of facets in which Africa has contributed to the world, style is just one of them.

MTN Durban Fashion Week - 25-28 June 2008

FACT: DURBAN ROCKS! I saw this statement written on DJ Tira's t-shirt, a famous DJ who hails from the city. Even though he might have been referring to the party scene, I think the city's fashion scene rocks too. Many of South Africa's most accomplished designers; Gavin Rajah, Amanda Laird Cherry, Leigh Schubert, Craig Native - to mention just a few, are from Durban. I don't think it's odd for Durban to have its own fashion week, I think it provides a great platform for young designer based in Durban to launch themselves to the rest of the country, and for the established designers to show what Durban has on offer to the world.

Go and check it out, it's at the Sun Coast Casino, right by the beach; it's the perfect location...Woza eDurban.

http://www.durbanfashionweek.com/

You dont have to be at a resort to wear "Resort"

It's winter here in the southern hemisphere and I'm freezing, and in the other half of the world, designers have just shown their resort collection. The Chanel and Dior shows were as big as any collection they present to the world.
My favourite was Elie Tahari, his clothes were fresh, young and wearable, I loved the prints – they would certainly bring some life to a cold winters' day.
I dont have to be at a "resort" to wear these.

Photo courtesy of style.com

Tshwane Fashion Festival

This was the inaugural fashion festival, I give it a 10/10 for initiative and organisation.
All of the collections showed were from community and student designers. They are young, there is still room for improvement. They will grow and I hope that their talent grows along with them. I am glad that there are such events, they provide a platform for them to learn and gain experience and that much needed exposure. To the sponsors who made it all possible, thank you.

Role Models

Chanel and Jourdan are the hottest black runaway models right now, internationally. And here at home, we do have Joelle, she is all over, propably the most booked model in S.Africa. Audi Joburg Autumn/ Winter fashion week is coming up soon, I wonder if we will see some new faces...I really hope so. I think the South African modelling industry could do with the freshness.

Photos courtesy of style.com

Paul Smith - Joburg

London Fashion Week '08 has begun and Paul Smith was one of the first designers to hold a show. I checked out his collections and these were my favourite looks.
I am glad that if I now see something I adore from any of his collections, I could easily just drive to his shop and have a look, he opened one in Joburg last year, I'm not sure if I can afford to buy them yet (real style costs), knowing that he has a shop in South Africa is enough to get me excited.

I heart N.Y.

New York Fashion week has just ended, it was amazing. I will post pics of my favourite NY collections soon, there is just so much to choose from. I'm still trying to absorb everything, but for now, I know that I definitely adored DKNY, those dresses are just so cute.

Photos courtesy of style.com

Defending the Nation

While I was travelling through the Namibian desert, I thought to myself, how awesome would it be if I was driving a Defender. Don't get me wrong, my car treated me well in all aspects but I just adore this car, its ultra cool - period.
It's been around since forever, I still see older models roaming the streets. Used in Safaris all over Africa, it must be rock hard; it's your typical Expedition/Adventure vehicle. Pretty tough yet if placed in the city it's as stylish as ever and it's timeless.
Somebody buy me a Defender and I'll keep it and you forever and believe me - they do last forever.
www.landrover.co.za

Fashionable SoundTraxx...

Sound track for the day, The Louis Vuitton Don - Kanye West...he's extremely talented and the fact that he's one of the most fashion conscious of all the rappers, makes it all the better. I love the CD cover collaboration with highly esteemed artist Murakami, remember him from those cute Louis Vuitton Murakami Bags that were such a hit back then.

Speaking of  Louis Vuitton, watched The Darjeeling Unlimited this past weekend - great movie - never seen so much LV Luggage bags in a movie! They had my boyfriend asking where the nearest LV shop was.  And those cute jungle animal prints on those Marc Jacobs for LV bags are heavenly.

As for Marc Jacobs, my adoration for his designs is a topic to be discussed on another day.

 

Amazon (Kanye West Image)