Fashion week wrap up: Fast Track day

The Fast Track day was dedicated to showcasing young designers and graduate designers, thereby creating a fast track to their careers. Two of the most impressive talents, in my opinion, were my fellow LISOF graduates Portia Moruthane and Jessica Sutherland

Portia Moruthane's range (L), entitled Timbur's Explorations, was inspired by the film, Sweeny Todd, by Tim Burton. The look references men's clothing and suiting transformed into contemporary women's clothing. "She sees men's clothing as a symbol of power, liberation and movement." This look had a very consistent and strong aesthetic, and it's difficult to decide which is my favourite from this collection.

Jessica Sutherland's range (R) was incredible and bowled over the media and press. Having won range of the year at LISOF, expectations were high, and not only did she meet them, she exceeded them! The range was "shaped around the concept of transition... The goal was to create individual pieces that could respond to changes in mood, occasion (work, play, travel), climate and season, by allowing them to change in length, shape, silhouette, colour and pattern". My favourite look was the black short dress and oversized black coat that inzipped into a contemporary waistcoat. Fantastic stuff!

Johannesburg Fashion Week wrap-up

AW 2011-12 Johannesburg Fashion Week, South Africa

AFI mixed things up this year by hosting fashion week in various cultural hot spots in town, including The Bus Factory, Johannesburg Art Gallery, Randlords, Fashion Kapitol and The Nelson Mandela Bridge.

Some of the shows were fantastic. Some, in my my opinion, were incredibly disappointing, but I'm going to choose to share the ones that I found most impressive with you. Among my favourites were Suzaan Heyns, Abigail Betz, Stiaan Louw, Avant, Heni and a few young designers from the Fast Track shows.

First up: Suzaan Heyns

The show was inspired by the mechanics of the human body. "It's about symbolism looking at physical mechanics and taking it onto the outside, which in turn represents the unveiling of our hidden psyche"

I loved the mens wear in particular. I think it is fantastic that a few designers are pushing the envelope when it comes to men's fashion. We certainly do have a gap in the market crying out to be filled in South Africa. One of the exciting methods used was a type of braiding that I only know as Scouby-doo braiding. It forms a square sort of knot, and this was one of the innovative details in the show. Another incredible part was the make-up! Braids covered the eyebrows and joined into the hair, almost like veins. The use of leather in a draped fashion was also a very contemporary look.

Burberry Brights Collection

Fantastic new Burberry Brights handbag range! Love the shoot concept!

young (incredible) talent: PIPPA Pereira

I studied with Pippa Pereira at LISOF, and she never ceased to amaze me with her talent! Pippa won the Elle bursary in 2008, and several awards during her time studying. Her illustrations are just too beautiful, and I couldn't but help sharing them with you all!




To contact Pippa, call her on: 082 561 4781, or email her at: pippapereira@gmail.com 

Hello Couture (with Love 22) on the Behance Network

I love it when creative industries combine forces to create awesomeness!! Case and point: Love 22 Presents Hello Couture.

View at: Hello Couture (with Love 22) on the Behance Network

total style crush: Natalia Gawlik

I love this girl's style, and I desperately want her hair! Featuring: 

Natalia Gawlik - 19yrs - Poland/UK

Via : Lookbook.nu 

Interstoff Textile Forecast 2011-2012.

An important part of design is to stay relevant, and realize and take note of what is happening in the fashion world globally. As Heidi famously quotes: "In fashion, the one day you're in, the next day you're out". Although it's important to have your own concept, vision and uniqueness, it is equally important not to bury your head in the sand and risk becoming irrelevant.

One way of keeping contemporary is to read trend reports. Several websites offer free trend predictions (www.cosmoworlds.com; www.ciff.dk), but it is also important to compare these to the runway to check their validity. I like to take a look at the trend forecasts and then see if I can compare them to relevant designers. Here's what I mean:

Interstoff Textile Forecast AW2011/12

Forecast: Northern Shelter

Designer Collection : Michael Kors Resort 2011

Forecast: Indulgent Dreams

Designer Collection: Chanel SS2011

Forecast: Layers of Time

Designer Collection: Vivienne Westwood SS2011

Forecast: Crazy Creations

Designer Collection: Alberta Ferretti SS2011

Interstoff is a Trend Forecasting committee head up by Messe Frankfurt HK Ltd. It is comprised of experts in the fashion industry from prominent global fashion capitals, and helps to serve as an "invaluable tool for designers and garment professionals", helping to guide them in the right direction for the forthcoming fashion seasons. For more information, visit: Messe Frankfurt