There’s something to be said
about a David Tlale show at fashion week. It’s more about the full package –
clothes, setting, music, theme, ambiance, etc. It’s like, I imagine, what it
feels like to attend the Cirque de Soleil. Filled with drama and captivating
allure; the clothes play a very small role as compared to the soundtrack,
catwalk, hair and make-up. Set against the backdrop of the world’s newest
wonder, Table Mountain, with Devil’s Peak to the right and the elevating Cape
Town city centre skyline, the stage was set and the city’s unfinished bridge
was a perfect catwalk.
The show was opened by Burundi
drummers, who continue to perform as part of the entire show. Giving us yet
again a new soundtrack to David’s imagination. Cladded in what one can only
decide was traditional performance attire – layered robes in apple green with
red over a white robe – the drummers marched, skipped, and hypnotically chanted
to the beating of the drums mounted on their heads. Primitive and enchanting,
it once again confirmed why David and Jan Malan make such an incredible team
when it comes to fashion week.
The collection presented was a
colour spectrum I can possibly only describe as a tropical coral experience.
From turquoise and ocean green, to crisp whites mixed with ivory; desert sand
beiges were well placed neutrals in the collection and the scope of yellow –
from standard to a pop of metallic yellow gold added a touch of rock’n’roll
glamour. Some ombrés were present and the collection closed of with respectful
black.
The collection made use of
a finely grafted print design that was then applied in separate colour combos
and applied across tailored shorts to even full suits. There were knits and it
seemed as though there was a venture into sports luxury wear as well. I felt as
though the silhouettes were a little to boxy at times and possibly led to the
uncomfortable looking fit on the models. The blazers for me had very little
character due to their lapels not having enough fabric to really be present in
the design. The finish looked well put together and the small details – zips
down the back of shirts and blazers + straps centre back of day shirts + canvas
vests and shorts - here and there made the collection worthwhile for me. In
retrospect, the entire collection as a whole is thought-through, and dynamic in
reference to what is being currently produced in South Africa for men. The gold
(trench) coat + turquoise ombré shirt with matching shorts are my winners from
the collection.
1 comment:
David Tlale will always be The King Of SA Fashion
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