The
SuitableMan was back again on the front-row to witness South Africa’s finest at
its best. Once again SAFW wrapped up the year of fashion on the runway with
high and intense fashion. Showcasing collections for the next autumn-winter seasons,
it was yet another week to remember as designers came with guns blazing. We saw
trends being set and others being relived and reinterpreted in a way that was
never seen before. Let’s look at what the gents can look forward to next
winter:
AFRIKAN SWISS
A
new don of denim rulers. Coming back on the runway with yet another captivating
denim collection, I can testify that they will rival international power
brands. For a young brand like this, one cannot bring normal or should I say a
safe collection if they want to compete with the like of Diesel and Levi’s. Looking
at this collection I was filled with joy to see high standards of quality
craftsmanship. The deconstructed traditional look of denim styles into a
futuristic deformed looks set the tone high of the whole collection. Most of
the pieces seen on the collection was not new but were relived in the most
daring ways. As extreme as they looked the whole collection was very much
practical for an everyday wear. And as much as they were practical, I feel they
were not for any Tom Dick and Harry, but Only the Brave!
EPHYMOL
Like
I said that in the beginning that we saw trends being set and this is what
Ephraim gave us. You know when it comes to formal wear one has to be very
innovative to come back every season with a bang. This is what I call funky
formal wear. As usual he never
compromised when it came to fabric choice, the textures were luxurious and the
tones were rich. As funky as it was it was yet again practical, the pieces of
the outfits were interchangeable, replaceable and can be paired with anything
formal or casual. You can play “mix and match-making made in heaven” with all
of them. The patterns; prints; lines; and shapes on the garments brought a new
flair for office wear as well as red-carpet vibes.
PRESIDENTIAL
So
who said the prints trend has reached its extinction face? Well I say prints
are not going anywhere anytime soon, they are here to stay right where they
originate, in Africa. This was a collection that reminded us of our identity as
they have stayed true and firm to their heritage. Prints never looked so good
in formal wear until now, and again this was not the first time we see prints
but how we’re seeing them now is on another level. The art that was displayed
on those garments was narrative. Everything blended harmoniously with each
other, from colours to tones everything complimented one another. The fit and
finish of the garments was unprecedented.
TOVCH
What
a colourfully warm winter is going to be. Thabo was one of the designers that
showcased a five piece installation and his collection was one of the
outstanding from the five. He displayed what he called an “Urban Afro Culture”,
a collection filled with rich African colours inspired by a mixture of African
tribes. With the main colours ranging from the bloody reds to the heavy greys
and paired with prints of the rainbow colours, it was a collection inspired by
our rainbow nation.
ZAMASWAZI
Sartorial
on steroids. Yet again Zamaswazi came and broke boundaries of conforming to the
norms. A lot of young and up-coming designers shy away from making suits due to
critics that come with it. He was another designer on the spotlight from the
five who did an installation and was the brave one to do a suit collection. As
risky as it was to do such for an installation, as every detail is up close and
personal but he pulled it off well. After his multi-coloured collection for the
previous season, he showed maturity as he toned down with shades of grey.
However the creative detailing was still evolving as he captured the crowd with
his turtle neck jersey fused with a shirt fabric. It looked like the model had
worn a shirt underneath the half-worn jersey.
We
came; we saw; and we were dazzled and I am sure that from these collections
there’s something for every man out there. With all this mixture of talent and
quality craftsmanship, I can comfortably say that fashion in South Africa is
positively growing and the rise of menswear is inevitable.
Until
next time, stay fashionable…
Yours
Suitably
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