It’s amazing how before it all
happens you have a plan either set out in your mind or even on paper as to how
you will dissect fashion week for your readers and allow them to consume each
show and properly and get a full appreciation for the week and its experiences.
The challenge with me, however, is that I tend to fail dismally as such set out
expectations and usually fair better when I write as I please.
In keeping to true form I
officially and finally present to you
my South African Fashion Week (SAFW) experience(s). SAFW took place 11 – 13
April 2013 at the contemporary Crowne Plaza Hotel, Rosebank in Johannesburg.
Upon arriving a day late for fashion week (FW) I share with you my two days of
fashion, networking, intrigue and life through a special ‘Highlights Series’.
At the end of these highlights, I’ve added a few links to other portals who
have comprehensive image/video material on every single show. As I only relay
my highlights, my post will only feature collections that made an impact on my
trip.
SAFW Highlights
Friday 12 April 2013
Intercape Bus Charters
So after a dismal planning
session, I was left with the ultimatum of either travelling to FW via bus or
not going at all. After some major convincing, I bought a bus ticket and off I
went. Travelling via Intercape was a rather comfortable experience. Apart from
the long hours on the road, irregular stopping periods, smells of foreign foods
in the cabin and the not working cell phone charger installed in the bus, the
trip is relatively worthwhile if you’re in no rush. You get to experience the
scenery that you would have otherwise not seen and you get the sense of how
amazing an aeroplane really is considering the land the bus takes 18 hours to
cross one plane does in approximately two hours. The even greater highlight
about my trip to FW using the bus was the amazing discovery I made when
arriving in Joburg Park Station – my luggage wasn’t packed in the bus as I was
informed by the Intercape official back in Cape Town. So there I was on my
first day in Johannesburg, for fashion week, with nothing to wear. The rest of
this highlight will be forced into the history books and not revealed any
further.
Albertus Swanepoel
Albertus Swanepoel revealed a
highly anticipated and proudly South African surprise at SAFW’s Day 2 of
activities, my day one of fashion. The internationally renowned milliner who
practices under his namesake overseas, launched a well thought through luxury
sportswear collection for women. In a palette of nudes, blacks and desert mochas,
Albertus presented a collection that swiftly moved from day into night with a
kind of ‘African safari’ feel about it. It illustrated for me what a rich
nature conservationist’s wife would dress like whenever she visited the city.
Cladded with gold, bronze natural fibre accessories and wearing very
comfortable looking sandals with cotton straps in a thick-cut, the entire
collection oozed a sense of laid-back ‘old-school money’ sports-leisurewear
that only a specific kind of woman could pull off without breaking a sweat.
Apart from the Protea flower emblem turned into a simplistic graphic
embroidery, the silky ruched headpieces were great feminine details to
complement the collection. I’m no womenswear commentator but this collection by
Swanepoel was definitely worth viewing.
Cutterier by Laz Yani
Laz Yani and his Cutterier
label formed part of the inaugural Lufthansa First Best Collections showcase
which apart from stemming as a platform to allow young designers a space to
showcase their creativity openly and without restrictions on being the most
commercially viable, it was a competition finale of sorts where a winning
label/designer would be flown to Berlin with their collection by Lufthansa.
Cutterier did not win and the label that did win actually didn’t really deserve
it in my opinion. Cutterier showcased not necessarily an amazing creative
collection, however, the creative problem-solving solution behind the
collection for me was a gem. We all hate packing and we all hate even more
unpacking wrinkled clothes. Cutterier’s SS2013 collection presented women with
a resort collection that could retain its original state through the innovative
use of wrinkle-free fabrics. Dressed like a nomadic starlet, the Cutterier lady
is relaxed and stylish all at once. It’s definitely an international collection
that can be worn across seasons.
PALSEhomme
PASLEhomme Spring Summer 2013
by Paledi Segapo was inspired by a recent visit to India. Obvious pieces of
evidence are the turban head wears adorned by the models in the installation.
The gladiator sandal – a shoe I have been trying to revive for guys this coming
spring summer – has been included in the collection and I was jumping up and
down with joy. Possibly the best menswear collection showcased at SAFW (besides
the Row-G show that I missed due to not being recognized as media by the
brand’s in-house PR wheel) PALSEhomme put forth a combination of slim casual
and formal silhouettes and refreshed them through the use of diagonal pleats on
shirts, invisible waistbanded pant, tailored short suits and even a zip-up
blazer. I absolutely favour the incorporation of the strips and polka dots. Men
hardly get these patterns in their collections and it’s about time someone
recognized their place in our wardrobes.
Hush
All I have to say about Hush
is: “What happens in Hush stays in Hush”
Tiaan Nagel
They say women have to suffer
for beauty when wearing stilettos and feeling uncomfortable after five minutes.
Tiaan Nagel had to suffer a little too for his beauty of an installation at
SAFW. After a minor accident while setting up, the designer was not going to
take it lying down. Tiaan pulled through and so did his fabulous collection.
There’s something exquisite about simple collections that focus on design,
finishing and styling. Remember the movie The
Fifth Element with Milla Jovovich? Well, image those garments with a touch
of local couture. Reminiscent of Karoo landscapes in summer, the gold
accessories add a kind of mirage effect to the entire collection. Strong
geometric lines and solid classic cuts leave this very tailored collection in a
strong position as probably the winning women’s collection for SAFW.
Ephymol
Ephymol’s collection for SS
2013 only makes it as a highlight due to (1) the popping lime vest in a very
geometric shape that was coupled with a navy(?) pair of tailored shorts, and
(2) for the introduction of his new ‘print’ for the season. A combination of graphic
patterns and repeated iconography left me smiling amongst the internal
disappointment with the collection overall. The women pieces introduced were
strong but I personally believe one should always focus their strengths where
they are best showcased. If that’s menswear, then possibly one should just
stick to that… I do believe Ephymol most likely made his die-hard fans proud.
The collection was everything expected of the label and with a great piece here
and there possibly stepped it up a levely (ever so slightly) for its fans.
Special Thank You
A special thank you needs to be
made mention to the personalities who partnered with me to ensure I made it to
SAFW, looked the part, had a great time, networked and made it back safely to
Cape Town thereafter.
Travel Partner
Intercape Bus Charters
Accommodation Partner
Andile Bhenya & Songezo
Gxalaba
Cab Services (In Johannesburg)
Truth Luxury Cab Services
Hats
CLOCHE SA by Chanellé Vlok
Wardrobe
Accessories
Bags
And to everyone I met along
the way, thank you! Am looking forward to working with new partners, and
current partners, on my future adventures at other fashion weeks.
xx
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