In the previous edition of ALIYANA, I may have given away my shoe fetish in the article I wrote regarding the shoe industry. Given my fascination with the subject, I found myself somewhat disappointed at the lack of recognition afforded to shoe designers at Cape Town Fashion Week specifically, and similar events generally.

Over past decades, fashion weeks have grabbed the attention of millions across the globe, providing a platform of expression for those who dare to design, and those who endeavour to attend. Besides their integral role in setting trends, the events have provided substantial investment opportunities for the various designers, advertisers and, of course, the venues.

But what about the shoe designers? Was the return on their investments of time and energy in preparation for such events worthwhile?

Having graced the Cape Town shores in the past week, the Cape Town Fashion Week, at face value, granted many footwear designers the opportunity to showcase their creations in conjunction with various clothing collections. In halls filled with editors, writers, trend setters and photographers, having one’s designs stylishly adorn a model’s feet may seem like a “must have”. However, after much review, I realised that many of those who had attended the fashion shows left with no clue of who the shoe designers had been, and expectedly, many of the designers felt like their brands weren’t sufficiently recognised.

In the event planner’s defence, there was an exhibition at Fashion Week which showcased a wide range of designers (of both clothing and shoe collections), including those who hadn’t taken part in the event. But as usual, the shoe collections only consisted of ten percent or so of the floor’s offerings. It is becoming clear that there is an endemic problem in branding for shoe designers, especially upcoming ones.

As a potential solution to this issue, I would like to see more fashion shows that focus specifically on shoe collections and the branding thereof. The shoes that we wear are a product of someone’s imagination and inspiration. Let us not forget, while applauding other artists and designers, to acknowledge those whose interests particularly lie in footwear.

*Image provided my Thaheer Mullins (www.mrmullins.co.za)

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Events such as the Foschini Graduates Show and the Woolworths Emerging show dedicated their respective ramps to fashion newcomers, who appeared right at home on the runways as they spruced up their models in sassy summer wear that ranged from soft floral prints to the more daring and bold metallic’s for the 2010/2011 season.

I had the privilege of chatting to a particularly ‘fashion forward’ designer by the name of Thulare Monareng, who shared her Fashion Week experience with ALIYANA.

Thulare is this year’s Woolworths ‘emerging designer’, and was not only awarded the opportunity to flaunt her creations at this year’s Cape Town Fashion Week, but will, alongside six other designers, liven up the Woolworths brand by designing her own in-store range.

Many have described her designs as urban and modestly coquettish; she agrees, adding that despite having to confine her style to suit the commercial market in order to target a broader market, she has managed to express the core element of her collection – which is being proudly South African.

This promising young South African designer, who has had the privilege of showcasing at other fashion shows such as Arise Africa and Johannesburg Fashion Week, incorporates a definitive sense of ‘Africanness’ within her collections as she combines lively prints and colours that express her love for Mzanzi and flaunts the curves and femininity of women.

A Thulare ‘Closet Must-Have’  is a black draped dress with heart details on the chest which can be dressed up or down to suit either casual or more formal occasions.

Her modesty and welcoming personality exudes an incredibly positive energy, which keeps her motivated to set trends and create designs that many have come to love. Her philosophy is to enjoy life, push the limits (which helped her win the Most Innovative Designer award at the Cape Town Fashion Festival in 2001,) and celebrate being proudly South African.

If you stay in Cape Town, keep a close eye on Long Street which will soon be the home of Thulare’s exciting new store, that will dare you to see things beyond simple racks of clothes, to a more collective expression of art.

I will leave you with the inspiring words of Craig Native that signalled the end of the spectacular days of Cape Town Fashion Week; as youth we need to encourage, support and advance the endeavours of our fellow African. I do my part,” What You Ghana Do?!”

*Images provided by Thaheer Mullins ( www.mrmullins.co.za)

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For many of us, fashion consists of scrimmaging around in our cupboards to find the least-outdated piece of clothing… and that is pretty much where it ends.

For Lloyd Loots and Casey Walters, fashion is much more than trying to look good, it is their medium of expression. They have dressed celebrities, attended numerous fashion shows, and are well on their way to living up to the title of “next best thing”.

ALIYANA interviews these inspiring fashion designers and chats to them about the challenges they face in their quest for fame.

Lloyd Loots is a qualified fashion designer, and in his career thus far has had the opportunity to dress celebrities including Liezel van der Westhuizen from Jacaranda 94.2 and Idols, for the 2009 YOU Spectacular; Bailey Schneider from 94.7 Highveld Stereo for the charity Wow and Wag Fashion Show; and, more recently, Pabi Moloi from 94.7 Highveld Stereo for the 2010 YOU Spectacular.

He has also had the privilege of working with amazing designers in the South African fashion industry, including Gert-Johan Coetzee and Arwen Swan. This exposure assisted Lloyd in moulding his own sense of personal style. This talented designer also works on his own brand, LIKEITLOVEITLLOYD, which specialises in women’s wear with a touch of the avant-garde. He has also joined forces with the iZindaba Crew as the Fashion Editor on the Fashiondaba side of the Stylelife Guide.

This is what Lloyd had to tell us about his road to success so far:

I understand that you designed Pabi Moloi’s dress for the YOU Spectacular 2010; how did you make that happen?

I originally met her last year when I attended the same event where I dressed Liezel van der Westhuizen. I then followed up with Pabi Moloi and asked her if I would be able to dress her… She chose from a range of sketches that I showed her and then I made the dress up to her exact body measurements.

Do you think that having connections with already-established fashion houses and designers gives aspiring designers an advantage in terms of exposure?

If by connections you mean working with these design houses, [then] yes, I think it does give aspiring designers a certain edge due to them being able to learn from the masters that have spent years perfecting their craft. I have also done internships with Gert-Johan Coetzee who, at the time, was the designer of Diamond Face Couture, and [I have] also worked for Arwen Swan from Arwen Garmentry. In terms of exposure, [when] you work for someone it’s more about what you can learn and not so much trying to get your name to shine through another label. But experience-wise, it is the best option!

Do you think the exposure you got from dressing a well-known SA celebrity has or will open doors for you in the industry in the future?

Pabi [is] the third well-known celebrity that I have dressed and therefore from past experiences, I know that it really does help you obtain exposure. I have also dressed Liezel van der Westhuizen for the 2009 YOU Spectacular and Bailey Schneider for the Charity Wow and Wags fashion show in 2009. If you are also constantly bombarding people with your label they will eventually remember it. In terms of fashion industry contacts, I couldn’t ask for a better opportunity than dressing celebrities.

Do you endorse a formal fashion design education as a necessity to becoming a successful designer?

I personally believe that it helped me, because before I went to university to study my BA in Fashion Design, I did not know how to use a sewing machine at all! And I currently make all the dresses for my brand, LIKEITLIVEITLLOYD, myself.

Tell us a bit about the projects you have worked on or are working on at the moment?

The dress I made for Liezel van der Westhuizen was mostly made up of hand-made strips of fabric that were woven [which created] that chequered look. Feathers were also added to the dress to create a certain “avant-garde” feel to the dress. I also made two dresses for Bailey Schneider for the Wow and Wags charity fashion show. [Both] dresses were auctioned off later on [in] the evening, and the proceeds were handed to the chosen charity of the evening. Pabi’s dress was made up of over 100 individual tea and coffee stained pieces of fabric. The purse was also made by me, and kept more to a structured feel whereas the dress was more soft and feathery. I am currently working as Fashion Editor for the new online magazine called iZindaba. [With] my label, I am currently busy with clients and planning another media function that will occur later this year.

What is your message to all aspiring fashion designers?

I encourage those with thick skin and a passion for fashion with the ability to push through to pursue this career. The fashion industry is a hard one but the more you believe in your creations the more other people will believe in them too.

…

Unlike Lloyd, Casey Walters is still a student at fashion school who has already taken many opportunities to strengthen her craft and talent.

In addition to making tasteful dresses and wedding gowns, Casey also designs and produces jewellery and handbags that she sells under her label called Casey Jeanne Couture. Earlier this year she had an opportunity to work as an intern at JHB based Lunar. Lunar is the lifestyle vision of fashion designer Karen Ter Morshuizen, who has partnered with Paul Harris to create a relatively popular lifestyle brand. Model Lisa Gunelfinger can be spotted on the cover of the July 2010 issue of Fairlady, wearing one of Casey’s creations. Her eye for functional creativity is definitely a force to be reckoned with.

The twenty year old final-year fashion student at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) explains to ALIYANA how she made her passion become a reality at such a young age:

When did you realise that you wanted to use your artistic talents for fashion as compared to perhaps to fine arts?

I would say that from about grade eight, I knew that the fashion industry was where I was born to be; [or] more specifically designing for the runway. I have always loved being creative and sketching; however, fabrics, textures, [the] drape of different materials and constructing to form around the body is where my passion is at.

How did you get involved with designing in the Durban July 2010?

The Vodacom Durban July is a part of DUT’s 3^rd year syllabus so it is compulsory for us to do this project. We then get pre-selected by our lecturers from the college to enter the Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award. We start this process four months before the actual day of the [event]. There are so many stages to this category of the competition as it is the main category of the whole event.

How far did you go in the competition, and what did the competition mean to you?

The South African fashion industry is one of the toughest industries to break-though in as there are many talented aspiring young designers out there who compete for the same prize. Being a finalist and part of the “trio in full bloom” in the Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award is the start to that break-through and it has truly been an honour to have been awarded as one of the three finalists from KZN. I feel privileged to have been recognised for doing something I love and this competition will help me to get my name as a designer out in the fashion world.

Do you think that you are studying fashion leaves you at an advantage to the other aspiring designers?

I think that DUT definitely does offer one of the best fashion courses in South Africa. I do, however, believe that you learn as much as you want to and much of the course is self-taught. The Fashion and Textiles course only teaches you the basic steps and the rest is up to you. Our courses are excellent and it really helps us in getting further out of our abilities and skills. The Fashion and Textiles team does a fantastic job, and the future design students will be privileged to be a part of this department. DUT’s Fashion and Textiles course offers a wide variety of subjects that all students do in order to obtain either the diploma or degree. So when a student receives that certificate they are qualified many different fields and have a variety of job opportunities in different fashion related fields. Our students are more equipped as compared to other students at other colleges.

Is it just as easy to get internships if you have a fashion education background as compared to raw talent and experience?

You definitely need to study first because the fashion industry does not play games. They are very serious and only employ people who have minimum of three years [in] fashion education for internships.  If you have contacts in the fashion industry that are willing to take [the] time to teach you as you work then great, take the opportunity!

Do you think your participation in the Durban July has opened doors that would have otherwise not have opened? Or is the exposure not enough to carry you through your career?

Exposure is 50% of your success. If you don’t get any exposure then no one will know who you are and what you do. In the end no matter how much exposure you get if you are not talented then you will not make it in the fashion industry. The most important things to get right are working on your talent, education, passion, determination and exposure.

Both of these talented young designers are definitely set for big things in the fashion industry. It is not an easy journey to embark on though; the fashion industry is a tough playing field. You have to be dedicated to refining your skill and willing to persevere through hard times. If you are confident in your talent, then stand up and make it happen. Casey and Lloyd are testament to the possibilities out there, as they are enjoying success at a young age.

If you wish to be in contact with either of these designers, then email them on:

Casey Walters: caseyjeanne777@gmail.com

Lloyd: lloyd@izindaba.co.za

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‘In Full Colour’ was the official theme of the MET, but this didn’t keep Cape Town and South Africa’s premier celebrities, fashionistas and socialites from wearing this year’s sexiest and hottest trends. Case in point: the ever-glamorous Top Billing presenter Jeannie D wearing a chic boudoir-themed nude and black lace corset, adapted from her own collection available at Foschini. ‘Blush and nudes are definitely the biggest colour trend in 2010’ said Jeannie exclusively to ALIYANA, and also revealed that she cannot live without this season’s black sequined heels and anything with lace.

The public also displayed their most fashionable side and showed up in a plethora of 2010’s key trends, from brightly coloured jewel-toned body-con dresses, Dadaism inspired block colour maxi’s, to floral micro mini-dresses with industrial zip details for a quirky update.

A very on-trend Chantelle Kruger was spotted wearing a beautiful tribal print maxi-dress with tiered ruffles and toughened the look by accessorizing with a wide studded leather belt, both available from Gossip Girl Couture.

ALIYANA also managed to get some valuable style tips from popular fashion blogger Jasna Zellerhof on what pieces can take you through the seasons: “Definitely the open toed wedge boot which you can pair with mid thigh hemlines for summer, or wear with this year’s biggest ‘jeggings’ and tunic for a chic look to carry you through winter”. Head pieces such as exaggerated bows and lace bunny ears are definitely hot trends for 2010 as seen on Lady Gaga, Louis Vuitton and featured on Fashionjazz’s latest blog.

The highlight of the MET, as expected, was not the horse that won, but the fierce and colourful judging of J&B MET’s most elegantly dressed couples’ competition. 5fm’s Pabi Moloi and the beautiful Tammy Fortuin, Jeannie D as well as handsome swimmer Roland Schoeman were among the 6 celebrity judges who had the difficult task of choosing the top 3 most elegantly dressed.

Blockbuster District 9’s Vanessa Hayward and former TKZee pop star Thembi Siete were amongst the 17 vibrantly dressed couples on stage competing for the stunning first prize of a week in Mauritius and over R10 000 worth of prizes. 2009’s winner, Simona Ferrari, wore a disappointing halter dress that was overshadowed by 2^nd Prize and People’s Choice Winner, Anneline Shweitzer and Designer Kevin Ellis.

The highlight of the competition was when the judges announced that Thembi Siete and partner are 2010 J&B MET’s most elegantly dressed couple. ALIYANA captured the petite pop star jumping in excitement as they announced her win. She was stunningly dressed, wearing a turquoise bejewelled bustier dress with a voluminous plumed tulle skirt, cinched with a canary yellow and gold belt, both by G. Coetzee.

Aliyana Fashion Editor Sianna Wu with Cindy Nell

The Fashion at the J&B MET this year was definitely a front-row preview of what is haute, style and in full fashion this 2010.

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Then came the late 90s when designers like Folake Folarin whom upon her return to Nigeria 1998 from years of study in Europe started a fashion label called Tiffany Amber, “I have a law degree, but when I returned to Nigeria I found that I had more talent in the arts than in law” Folarin said, within a span of 10 years, her label Tiffany Amber has become one of the most popular in Nigeria and abroad.  She is well known for her designs created using breezy fabrics in summery colours.  Undoubtedly, her cosmopolitan background and exposure to people from diverse cultures greatly influenced her sense of style and ability to design for women of different tastes, shapes and body types.
“My core demographic is every woman, and my dream is that every woman would have a piece of tiffany amber in their wardrobe, my signature design is a long flirty dress” Folarin said

Fati Asibelua the face behind momo, an incredible yet modes talent, having studied fashion at the institute marangoni and completed her master’s degree in Milan, Italy.  As well as schooling at the prestigious city university London, her international educational background, infused with influence of her African homeland and culture, gives her an exciting and fresh global view on fashion.  Momo originated in 2000 as a fabric boutique crafting visually striking patterns, influenced by African culture.  Today the company has grown into a brand specializing in fabrics, high end fashion, fashion accessories and a home collection of lifestyle products, and currently employs 200 staff with offices and stores based in Abuja, due to the increasing demand for the collections and interest in African talent, momo is developing its expansion plans to launch into new international territories.  Momo offers real elegance for the independent and discerning woman, coupled with timeless designs that celebrated the femininity of a woman.  Luxurious and exclusive, momo creates enduring designs with pure fashion aesthetics, beautiful high end quality and exceptional craftsmanship with unparalleled attention to detail based on its traditional African heritage

And Nkensani Nkosi founder and creative director of the Afro – Urban label stoned cherrie established in 2000, in effort to represent afro-urban culture by creating a platform for self expression, it’s a product of freedom a conflation of past and present, how South Africa has evolved over the years and the design aesthetic  venda prints and shangaan inspired beadwork, the Xhosa traditional skirt, and the German print Sesheweshwe which reflects the diverse African cultural influences, the design signature is reminiscent of the celebration of past eras of the 50’s to present day South Africa.  In 2002 Nkesani introduced ‘the Drum Campaign’, which basically are printed T-shirts with iconic pictures celebrating past fallen heroes of the apartheid era which has been popular with visiting American stars like the Williams sisters “. “I get lightheaded about seeing Venus and Serena playing in a televised tournament, watched by their mother, Oracene, in one of our T-shirts,” Nkosi said in 2004″, in the same year she introduced sunglass range which now available in 100 stores and exported to most Southern African countries, she’s received various awards including the Catherine/Fairlady fashion award in 2002, the L’Oreal/Fairlady Lifetime Achievement award for development of the South African fashion industry only to name a few.

Not only are these fashion houses well known and loved in their home countries,   this year they were given the platform to showcase their talents at acclaimed fashion events like the New York fashion week in early February in which Tiffany Amber and Momo, Mali’s Xuli Bet and Stoned Cherrie showcased   as part of the first This Day/ Arise African Fashion Collective 2009.   As an initiative of Nduka Obaigbena This Day publisher and editor-in-chief of Arise magazine.  Momo showcased later at the London On/off fashion week in March 2009.

“It shows our designs have a true place in the international market and not just in Africa. I am grateful for the opportunity given by ThisDay/Arise Magazine to show my designs on such a prestigious stage for the world to see.”  Fati Asibelua of MOMO.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase the amazing things happening in South Africa. People continue to have a stereotypical view of Africa as the ‘Dark Continent’ and it will be great to challenge that.”  Nkensani Nkosi of Stoned Cherrie.

“it means a lot to me to be here at New York Fashion Week, the western market has seen what I can do, and I’m hoping they respond well to what I can do, I dream of having a boutique in New York”. Folake Folarin-Coker of Tiffany Amber.

The western market responded well, because Tiffany amber has returned for a second time at Bryant Park, New York as part of the Promise of Africa Collective show, along with winner of the Arise Designer of the Year award at the Arise Africa Fashion Awards, young South African designer, David Tlale on 11 September 2009.  “Showing at New York Fashion Week has long been a dream of mine and I couldn’t be more grateful to AFI and Arise for affording me this opportunity. I’m very optimistic about my collection for New York Fashion Week. I’ve chosen to title it Cultural Intimacy, because that is what I’m hoping to do: bring the world closer to the diverse cultures of our continent through visual and moving art. I will tell the African story in the way that I know best,” Tlale said.

Not only does this occurs on western shores, but reaching the far-east as well.

Sun Goddess celebrates and tells the stories of the people of South Africa in days gone by. The stories are deeply woven in the exciting design combinations of luxurious modern fabrics, regal ancient designs and embellishments, as well as a good dose of pure nostalgia.

They use beautiful African fabrics and their signature design leather corset with flowing skirts.  Started up in 2001 by Vanya and Thando Mangaliso, Sun Goddess has now flourished into one of South Africa’s most sought after labels. Vanya and Thando started the Sun Goddess fashion label selling skirts out of the boot of their car, today the Sun Goddess team is a pioneering enterprise with a truly revolutionary fashion brand.   They have showcased at various fashion shows, like the Indian Lakme fashion week 2007 which takes place yearly in India to celebrate established and upcoming Indian designers and invited foreign designers.  The London fashion week Spring/Summer 2007, Los Angeles Fashion week 2006.  Kenya Fashion Week 2007

“For us at Sun Goddess, the best part was getting exposed to the international scene at one of the world’s most lucrative markets, also it was a great opportunity to learn new things about the industry in general”. Vanya Mangaliso.

US retailers have shown great interest in what Africa has to offer, nothing has been confirmed yet as to which label buyers are interested in, it’s only a matter of time before we see western fashionistas strolling down Park Avenue in a trench coat by Tiffany Amber like our main picture or a classic Stoned Cherrie pencil skirt.

“There is so much urban energy right now, waiting to be bottled and sold.”

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One thing that is definitely out:

Guys in leather outfits, meaning leather pants, leather jacket the whole nine yards. Brothers, please, that is definitely out and gone. So you remember the days when people would wear jeans and running shoes as an outfit…. It’s a goner. Reminisce on the spice girl shoes and pedal pushers….

And now for the ins:

Fashion is moving into a new era, where people are not afraid to experiment with clothes.

Colour is very big this time and everything is in. Designers are taking alternative rock and making it more commercial, making it easier for the public to wear, and this season they are incorporating styles from different eras (60s, 70s, 80s, 90s) and combining them into one garment, like jump suits which where big in the 80s, bubble dresses, tulip style dresses, peplum dresses that complement our figures because they hide all the wrong and show off all the right stuff! Designers are also bringing couture into commercial stores, but in small percentages and the outfits are still wearable and not too extravagant. One shoulder dresses, big puffy sleeved blazers (like the one Rihanna wore to the NYC designers Gala) by Dolce and Gabana, lots of lacing mesh tops sleeves will always be in because they are easy to make.

Leggings and skinny jeans for both guys and girls, but Jay-Z does not seem to agree, even the stars are bringing back some of the old stuff, remember Will Smith in the Fresh prince of Bel Air? The shirts he use to wear, always baggy, now Pharell is bringing back the look where its not as baggy and oversized, but clean and up-to-date, what about those MC Hammer pants…Yes those very same ones have been spoted in stores and are called Hardem pants! And when it comes to shades its seems the 90s style shades are really back this season; stars like Pharell, and our girl Beyonce have been spotted wearing them…

This season is more about boldness, mixing and matching, glitz and glamour and not being afraid to express yourself.

 For the Wannabe:

The main picture of Kanye West at the Jean Paul Gaultier fashion show in Paris. We all know that here is a trend setter, but what was this though? A mullet… this was a wannabe, because a few weeks later, at the BET awards he was spotted with a clean shaved head. Was this a trend that failed badly, we shall leave it for debate

 And last but not least there is the Hip Hop habit of wearing the pants so low that your whole bum and boxers are exposed, it use to be the trend few years ago not so sure if it fits in today…but guys and girls disagree on this one, and how about we leave it for you our faithful readers to decide for all of us. Add your comments so we can know whether this is a wannabe or its trend that’s here to stay.

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Because fashion has a great influence on women and how they feel about themselves. Especially, with regard to weight, because in the fashion industry it is all about size and being small is regarded as beautiful, models starving themselves to death just to walk the runway and even Donatella’s own daughter has suffered from this need to be thin. However, things got better with the arrival of JLo and Beyonce on the scene, they have shown us that women need to have curves, and being curvy is beautiful and attractive, they have shown us that we need to love our own bodies, whether it be an hourglass or pear-shaped one.  fashion changes and fluctuates over time something might be in today and out the next day, and clothing sizes differ from one manufacturer to the next, and from country to country, sometimes not fitting into a size does not necessarily mean weight gain but for that range the sizes were made smaller.   

How does fashion affect South African women because African women are truly blessed with derrières, we asked three questions to women in Cape Town.

  1. What does fashion represent about women?

Dignity, fashion is an expression of oneself (moods, personality and preferences)

An expression that shamelessly presents the complexities of our innate nature that

need not be explained in words.

 2. What does being fashionable mean to you?

Looking good and feeling sensual, others said being in step with latest trends

Taking risks and celebrating individuality, Creativity. Knowing what works for your body. Being able to dress and enhance your beauty.

 3. Do you think the way we perceive fashion or being fashionable changes as we age?

 Some yes and some no, because if fashion is priority then it will remain essential although the look might change due to trends, but more talked on as we get older. We tend to become comfortable in our own skin and the need to prove fashion sense becomes less and for others the need accelerates!, our responsibilities changes so does our environment and our roles. Our values and perspective changes and does affect the way we present ourselves

 For  all the women interviewed, it’s all about loving what you wear and being comfortable in one’s own skin, and its not about size but its dressing to honor and complement ones body and that is really what is truly sexy, because at the end of the day beauty fades and character remains.  To all the women of South Africa, happy woman’s day…may you reach for the stars!

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One thing that’s sure is people will always need clothes, but the crisis has caused people to scale down on shopping. The positive side to this is that some designers, Marion & Lindie to name a few, are cutting down prices for up to 50% on their new arrivals and those who have always dreamed but could not afford now can.

The 2009 fashion season will be one not of “flaunt it” but of “savor it.” This summer season will need one to be cost conscious when selecting fashion garments.

We’l start off with the colors that will be huge this season. the key colors: lemon yellow, tangerine, orange and antique gold. And then blush beige, warm rose, lavender, magenta, rust red and shocking pink, deep cardamom green, citron green, jade Aqua, santorini blue and royal lapis blue. Like this beautiful lemon cocktail dress.

Monochromes by: slate grey, black, navy hessian, cream and white. Making a big come back this season is the sixties inspired A-line shaped dresses and the kimono sleeve dresses and tunic’s kaftans which are great with tights or worn out jeans for a relaxed look, empire raised dresses for the office or soirée are a must this season. Goddess draping is a hit with retailers like YDE, floral and chiffon or lace tops and blouses and one shouldered dresses. The trend is more conservative modest less revealing as compared to previous seasons. Last but not least are accessories; chunky beaded jewelry, peep toed, gladiator sandals or heels are a must as shown below.

Summer is a time to have fun and enjoy the beautiful weather, mix and match your outfits and just have fun with it.

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One of Africa’s largest gathering of fashion talent is going to be taking place at the Convention Centre in Cape Town. As Cape Town is increasingly becoming the hub for international visitors to Africa, the 2009 theme is new world Africa: redefining the continent locally and internationally and a celebration of the opportunities of 21st century Africa.

Since its debut in 2002, the Cape Town fashion week has grown into one of the premiere “new world” fashion weeks, showcasing already established designers and giving opportunities to the upcoming designers who want to showcase their talent. Past fashion weeks have showcased designers from African countries such as Nigeria like Deola Sagoe, Folake Folarin-Coker for Tiffany Amber, Teddy Legbedion and Patrick Osaghae for Blokes ‘n’ Divas, Ade Bakare and SA-Based Fred Eboka, as well as SA’s infamous Habits and YDE.

If you want to have a good time, make your way to the convention centre this August for some exciting fashion shows, special seminars and some introductory courses that will be available to people with an interest in the fashion industry, tickets will set you back at R150 and are available at computicket from 1st of August 2009.

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Old Hollywood Glamour

Nothing says sophisticated style and panache better than old Hollywood glamour. A famous item of clothing from the 1950s and 60s is the high-waisted trousers which were worn as an alternative to the frock.

Since then, this classic look has been transformed into a more chic and contemporary style of fashion, enabling many women to showcase their own natural beauty.

Classic: This is a modern twist on the retro tailoring can be paired with a plain white vest and chunky jewellery (which gives it a more contemporary feel).

The soul, Rastafarian look

It originated from the rich heritage of Ethiopia and later emerged in Jamaica around the 20^th century.

Centred on world peace and harmony, this style may appeal mainly to people who live a relaxed and harmonious lifestyle.

As an alternative, one could wear white-washed skinny jeans as opposed to the traditional image of the long flowing skirt to give this look a more contemporary and modern feel.

This style began in the 1960s, when designers such as Dior (in the Paris fashion show collection) and Fabiani (in the Rome fashion collection) showcased their works of art, furthering the impetus shift away from its eclectic roots to a more classical, clean and stylish look.

The Earth/Modern vintage look is accentuated by the bubble skirt, which can be surprisingly flattering to youthful figures.

If you’re interested in how to maintain this look, Lesley Scott from the website fashiontribes, suggests the following:

#1 Keep the skirt and the entire ensemble dark & monochromatic. #2 Make sure everything else you’re wearing with a bubble skirt is sleek & form-fitting.

#3 Emphasise your waist with an oversized obi-style belt.

#4 The hem of the bubble should end well above the knee. For the particularly petite, think about choosing a mini-skirted version that’s a size or two larger than you normally take, and wear it slung a little lower.

The punk image became an iconic statement between the early rock and roll years of the 1950s and 1960s. It started as a form of rebellion by the youth. This style of fashion was reflected through sex icons such as James Dean, Marlon Brando and Elvis Presley.

In the 1970’s Vivienne Westwood started a clothing line specifically for punk, marketing not only the youth, but any individual who wanted to step out of the box. Around 1977 Zandra Rhodes transformed the hard rock image into what it is today, punk chic that is more refined and elegant.

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