Design Indaba 2012 at the CTICC

Just 1 and a half weeks to go before the Design Indaba showcases some of the best talent South Africa has to offer at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, from 2March – 4 March 2012.

Design Indaba is a celebration of South African talent, all things that Illitha stands by, especially the section for emerging creatives, where designers can mix with the best and most well known talent in the country. The emerging creatives were annouced on the 23rd January this year, and the winning fashion designer this year will be presented with a sewing machine sponsored by Brother South Africa.

“The Department of Arts and Culture (DAC), as developmental partner, is a proud supporter of the Emerging Creatives initiative that not only unearths the future cream of the crop in the design sector but serves as a launching pad for talented South African designers. Given the quality of work displayed for 2012, it shows that the Emerging Creatives bar has gone a level up and is growing from strength to strength.” Ms Lindi Ndebele-Koka, Director (Multimedia) of DAC

Here is a list of the those who have been invited to attend the 2012 Design Indaba

Gareth Owen | Dirk Coetser

Caryn Fourie | Claudette Maskell

Graham Ray Wiles | Judith Gwayi

Zora Mari Orchard | Noel Yardley

Sharon Styger | Sydne Andrea West

Marieke Christine Adams | Micah Joel Chishom

Kgomotso Atang Tshikare | Bheki Yende

Huibrecht Wahl | Jeannette Venter

Kelly Esterhuyse | Lipato Shogole

Thembalezwe Mntambo | Karl John Mynhardt

Nicholas Christowitz | Nicholas Gordon Mills

Mike van Heerden | Sharp-Lee Mthimkulu

Bongane Mthabela | Elizka van Rensburg

Famke Koene | Lauren Joffe

Amy Scheepers | Chad Petersen

Erin Carelse | Lani Van Niekerk

Leon van Rooyen | Lucas R Adams

Bianca Mimose de Klerk | Sebastian Borckenhagen

Nadia du Plessis | Werner Venter

Jan Douglas

Thuthuka Jewellery Development Programme Students

College of Cape Town Gugulethu Campus Jewellery Design Students

I am looking forward to seeing what all these young designers to have to offer!  Opening Hours for this years exhibition are:

Friday 2 March 2012 from 10h00 – 20h00 (On-site tickets sales close at 19h00)
Saturday 3 March 2012 from 10h00 – 20h00 (On-site tickets sales close at 19h00)
Sunday 4 March 2012 from 10h00 – 18h00 (On-site tickets sales close at 17h00)

 

 

 

 

Grammy Awards 2012…and the Winner is…..

It is always such a shame to hear about another lost musical icon, and the most recent death of Whitney Houston was no exception. With Jennifer Husdon’s powerful rendition of “I Will Always Love You”  and LL Cool J’s prayer to a “lost sister” at the Grammy’s this year, we were all brought to the realisation that once again we have lost a true talent. But the show must go on as they say, and the Grammy’s had to continue, even during this tragic time. As this is a fashion blog, I am not going to rant and rave about my feelings on this issue, however, I am going to suggest reading the Telegraph for an interesting take on the death of Hollywood Stars, and the pressure they are under.

Adele looked very “Old Hollywood” at this years Grammys, wearing a floor length long sleeved black gown. Taking home the most Grammy awards for the night, she sure did have something to smile about!

Taylor Swift looked regal in this beautiful gold dress by Zuhair Murad.

I have to include Kelly Osbourne to this list of best dressed, as I think she has really come into her own these past few years, and is looking quite glam! I love the purple hair.

Saving the best for last, my winner for the night is Rihanna, dressed in a jaw dropping custom Giorgio Armani dress, with a plunging neckline. One of the best dresses I have seen in a while, and Rihanna is looking radiant as always! I love the simple gold accessories.

Who do you think was the best dressed at last night’s Grammy’s?

Asian Markets vs Local South African Markets

Red faced and sweaty, feeling a little queasy, walking through the jam-packed markets of Phuket, and Bali, I started to wonder, why is it that today’s society is so obsessed with buying something that is “designer?”  Why is it that we tourists find it necessary to include haggling, sweating off your lunch and fighting the masses part of your itinerary? While browsing various markets to get your hands on cheap mass produced “designer” replicas and “bintang” and “chang” tank tops my seem like a good idea in theory, (although I am not convinced) there are plenty of markets right here in South Africa to keep you satisfied with a more unique take, offering “once offs” rather than “knock offs.”

Yes, you may be able to find cheap plastic Ray Ban sunglasses that are going to break after one season, or a designer Chloe bag, that every third person walking down the street is sporting, but surely that takes away the desire to own designer labels in the first place? Why do we buy designer products? Is it because we want something that is of good quality, something that makes us feel glamorous and sexy, and something that will last more than 1 season? Or is it simply because we all want to look like we can afford it? Do we all want to be like a celebrity? I think the days for buying a designer number for the quality and the uniqueness have gone out the window, brands like Hugo Boss and Armani are not even producing well-made garments any longer.  Exclusivity is no longer the reason designer brands are bought, rather, it is this commercialised desire to fit in and look like the celebs we find in Heat magazine and Hello!

I am more inclined to purchase a garment that is unique, something that speaks to me as an individual. Of course, I am still on the look-out for a bargain, who in today’s society isn’t? With the economy going the way it’s going, we need to find items that are affordable, yet unique, and there is no better place to do this, than browsing through the various markets that are popping up throughout the country.

This past weekend, I stopped by the You and Me market at the Labia, and I am happy to say that they have incorporated a few more designers into their quota as opposed to selling only vintage pieces. I managed to find pieces that are new, and some that are old; a great combination of the past and the present. 

So next time you travel to the east, and want to get something that you think will make you look good at home, rather take a few minutes to think about what we have on offer right here, right on your doorstep – buy a “once off” not a “knock off.”

 

Here is a list of markets that I think are worthwhile:

Cape Town

You and Me | City Bowl Market | Biscuit Mill 

Johannesburg

Neighbourhood Goods Market

Durban

I Heart Market | Wonder Market

Designer Profile – Thandana

I am so excited to introduce my new designer of the month for February, as I have wanted to write about these two fabulous ladies for months now. But Illitha is back on track, and I will be doing a new designer profile at the beginning of every month.

Durban produces so many talented designers; I feel it is again necessary to write a profile on another design find from Durban. Taryn Flanagan and Carla Ashton, started Thandana in 2010, a unique luggage range, designed and manufactured in South Africa. These clever entrepreneurs have found a unique niche in the market, producing locally made goods at excellent quality. The craftsmanship is unbeatable, even when comparing with imported brands. My sister, who relocated to Singapore, and loves to buy only the best, bought one of the Folio bags for her husband, who carries it like a proud woman would carry a Birken!

 
“We hope you love your bag just as much as we loved making it…”

For a full list of their ranges, visit their website on www.thandana.co.za, or if you are in the Durban area you can visit their showroom:

Showroom details:
Umhlanga business park area and we accept cash/card or eft
Address:
Douglas Saunders Drive
11 Cranbrook Park
Suite 4
Umhlanga
Trading times:
Mon-Fri
8:30-4:00
Closed daily between 12:30-1:30

“Taryn & Carla are committed to offering innovative design and are always on the lookout for new fabrics and exciting luggage ideas.”

Champagne at the J&B Met

My apologies for the late post readers, was a having a small war with my internet service provider!

This weekend I managed to swing a VIP ticket to the J&B Met, with champagne on tap, J&B whisky to taste, and some delicious brownies for dessert. But lets not forget why we go to the races in the first place – to mix with the rich and famous, “people” watch, and of course, “horse race” watch!This year, I decided that maybe my luck had changed, and made a small bet on both the favourite, Igugu, as well as a name that I thought was cool, Gimmethegreenlight (I didn’t know this was the second favourite) but come on, who wouldn’t want to bet on a name like that? Luck was on my side this year, and I won, a sum total of R60…something worth celebrating.

But enough about how much money I made, or how little my actual bet was, here are some images of some of the better dressed people, and some of the adventurous. Happy viewing!!

Platform shoes were a big hit at the Met this year, and I must say, the shoes outshone the dresses.

I love braces and bow ties, I think this look is really great. With the coloured skinny jeans, these men know how to dress!

Although its not that clear in this picture, this Mr Price dress was really pretty, great for a a hot summers day. 

And here are the more adventurous outfits!

Looking forward to seeing what people wear at the Durban July this year!

Till next time xx

Update – Nautical Trend!

So, as you already know, I have recently returned from a trip to Bali and Thailand. While there, I kept my eye open for trends and colours, what we might be able to adapt to the South African market, and what I thought my readers would find interesting.

I am loving the coloured denims that I have seen both in South Africa, and in Thailand, as well as different styles of shorts – where I bought a pair of white denim for myself!!

 

One thing that I did notice, which was quite a dominant trend in the shopping centres, was the nautical trend, reinforcing what I mentioned last year December.

I’m loving the cropped blazers, and use of blue denim in the store layout. I think I wanted to buy almost everything in this store! But had to settle with some white denim shorts, and helping my dad buy a couple of check shirts.

How cute is this little cardigan with the blue hearts?

Till next time xx

 

 

New Beginnings

Hello to all my lovely readers, I hope you all had a fabulous festive season, spent with family and friends, over braais and beach adventures! I myself have just returned from an incredible family holiday on the very popular island – Bali.

I must apologise for my lack of blogs and twitter posts, but I am back in the Cape now, and ready for the new year, and all the possiblities this year will bring!

This is personally a very exciting time for me, as I am starting a new chapter with Margit Roberts, at LoveWaterLove. I will continue with my own designs, and blog, as well as working on the Sales and Marketing of LoveWaterLove’s new swimwear range.

I will resume my regular blogging every Monday, as well as once a month features on local South African Designers. Designers I will be featuring this year include, Taryn and Carla at Thandana, Margit with LoveWaterLove, and Kim Sassen Designs.

Stay in touch for regular updates and what is happening with local fashion, new trends and the promise of new up and coming designers…

Summer ’11/12 Trends – Nautical

Yesterday was the start of the next leg of the Volvo Yacht Race, from Cape Town to Abu Dabi, and a friend of mine organised a boat for us all to go out to watch the start. We had an incredible day on Sunday, sitting out in the sun, drinking champagne and cheering on the sailors.

 

 

Going out to sea, and watching the sailors prepare for the next 3 months out to see reminded me of one of the biggest trends for this summer, being the stripe.

Since before I was born, stripes, have more often than not been one of the best selling trends, and it is at the moment,  my favourite. Whenever I am shopping for fabrics, I am immediately drawn towards the stripes in amongst the piles of paisley, and other print varieties.

Here are some images I found for some inspiration…

Here are some images from Jil Sander’s Spring collection 2011

I love this collection, a great modern take on the Stripe!

 

Designer Profile – Roxstar Bikinis

Beach babe, Roxy Shea has taken her passion for the sun and the sea to another level and has brought affordable unique bikinis to South Africa! Sick of spending a fortune on swimwear, she decided to introduce her brand, Roxstar Bikinis through an online portal just in time for Summer this year.

After her travels in Thailand, Roxy was inspired by the designs and colours found on the islands, and came up with a simple, but effective business plan to bring South Africans to the forefront of design, at an affordable price. As a newbee in the industry, she decided to focus on one design, the bandeau twist bikini, which is flattering on almost all bodies, and comes in a variety of colours and patterns. The bikini is a one size fits all (an adjustable bottom and top) which sells well through the online store, as one does not have to try on to test the size.

“I have always wanted to start my own small business and have been toying with various ideas over the past year so. I also knew that whatever venture i pursued, had to be something that I was passionate about and would love doing…” Well, for anyone who knows her, it is clear that this is certainly one area that she is passionate about. Roxy started her entrepreneurial career at a very young age, selling goodies out of her locker back in high school, I have no doubt that Roxy Shea is going to be very successful in her new retail business! I am looking forward to seeing some new designs in 2012.

Having such a great response since launching her brand in October this year, she is already working on new designs. Her range can be found in a few stores in Durban, as well as her online store.

Rich Bitch - La Lucia Mall,

Lady and the Punk - Gateway

Fromthewardrobe, Lifestyle Centre (Balitto)  and Kloof

Another Weekend, Another Market

What a fabulous weekend, with days of sunshine, and evenings spent with friends. This weekend, I attended a wedding at Webersburg , Stellenbosch. What an incredible venue, with some beautifully dressed people, and a spectacularly dressed Bride, in white elegance! I know, that as a designer, and fashion blogger, I should always have something to wear to an event like this, but any of you who know me personally, know that I am totally disorganised, and left the dress decision to the last-minute. But never fear, with markets almost every weekend, I was confident that I could find something suitable. This past weekend’s City Bowl Market did not let me down, and I met this fantastic designer, Natasha, of LeibenCut Designs. Her unique dresses are made from vintage sari’s, allowing for that one of a kind look that so many of us are searching for these days. Natasha had a few dresses on display at the market, and will be stocking her range in a store on Long Street for the new year.

My Gorgeous new dress from LeibenCut at the the City Bowl Market. I styled it with this vintage gold belt I got from Second Time Around in Long Street.

Also selling at the market this past week was Lolla, from LoveLolla who tells me she has been really busy and successful these last 2 months, with her markets, and craft fairs. I was happy to see that she has introduced a few more products to her range, including gorgeous glass jars filled with decorative goodies, unique pin cushions with crochet work and fabric, and christmas decorations for the silly season. Leila from BowPeep was there in her usual spot selling her button jewellery, as well as additional items her to range as well.

Thursday will be my next entry about this fabulous new bikini range, Roxstar, just in time for that summer beach break that many of you have been dreaming about all year!