Renaissance Men SA: #MBFWCT Review: David Tlale

There was something very David Tlale about that little entrance in the Mercedes-Benz, all revved up and rearing to go. Reminded me of the Harley-Davidson entrance on the Nelson Mandela Bridge for his post-midnight shoacse as the closing finale for AFI Joburg Fashion Week… Well, sort of, there were less toxic emissions in the air this time around. Alas, it is David Tlale.

“I am not coloured, I am colour” was the title of the showcase.

As we sat patiently waiting for tubes and lubes and scrunchies of colour, the sun in the Mother City stood still for a moment, the silence of the Bo-Kaap area crept in and the soft bustle of traffic made its way to centre stage. Then she appeared. Covered in a fabric of a solid colour. She peered in, peeled her coloured skin and started the ramp at the edge on Rose Street and made her way to the blaring lenses of the camera crews from across the globe. She was pale, okay I’m being dramatic. She wasn’t pale. She was dressed in all white with a dose of healthy colour at the feet of her stockings and all over her shoes.

David Tlale - Image by SDR Photo

There was no music. So the poor models and even poorer audience had to be left to their own devices. I’m sure the models occupied their minds by creating their own beats to pulsate to and as for the audience… Well, we had the people sitting on either side of us commenting to use as some form of audio interjection. I must admit, the silence gave the collection a type of naked eerie feeling. Almost very honestly baring itself to us without any distractions to take away from the truth. I did find out later on that due to the Ramadan respects, it was requested that no loud music be played during the hours at which the show was being hosted – hence the silence.

I’m going to keep this review short. I think everyone should go through the images and videos of the show and decide for themselves what they think of the collection. However, this is my blog, so here’s my R0.05c worth.

David Tlale - Image by SDR Photo

I just didn’t see the David Tlale in this collection. I must admit, it being a Resort Collection lends itself to being more of a ready-to-wear collection, rather than something superbly haute couture. So in that light, I suppose there was plenty of David Tlale in the collection. The tailoring was there. Great use of fabrics that compliment and complement a woman’s body. I loved the use of white as an irony on the theme of the collection. I also thought it very ironic that the majority of coloured girls who have their hair in rollers, then ghd it and then walk around considering themselves to be more white then black as opposed to them coloured girls who walk around with so-called ‘kruss’ hair.

There was an elegant, classic, all-year-round feel to the garments that I could appreciate. They almost translate themselves into any season in any year on any continent. I personally noted two or three garments that used lace which I felt was probably the most glamorous touch David did with this specific collection.

David Tlale - Image by SDR Photo

I will admit too, that finale dress just didn’t seem right. It felt a little matric dance-ish, almost last minute, after thought, oh why not about it. I’m just not buying it hey… Sorry David.

As for the menswear pieces. Yes, they were limited, but then again, I don’t recall you walking around claiming to be a menswear designer, so I’ll let that be. Thank you for including something for the gents. As always, the gents were tailored to the tee. Or is that to the slick hemline on the pair of sweet white shorts I saw…? Come what may, it’s always interesting to see what David muses men to dress like. The kaftan, a staple inclusion in menswear for the Tlale brand, was back and blinged up this time. I did appreciate its fabrics, is a type of flutter-guaranteed chiffon-silk. It was simple and elegant and you could easily tell it would breath through any blazing Cape Town summer day and night.

David Tlale - Image by SDR Photo

The type of box-cut tuxedo blazer and slim fit trousers was one I saw and conquered. I could definitely pull that off with my eyes clothes. And then another favourite piece/ensemble of mine was the French-military jacket and tailored shorts. I thought it was sort of Napolean-like, almost cheeky yet commanding a lot of attention effortlessly. And as for those Xhosa tyre sandals. I must get me a pair. Have been saying so for years now.

David Tlale - Image by SDR Photo

Overall, well done David on an exquisitely tailored collection. Beautiful presentation and fun surprises in between. We look forward to the next instalment.