Reporting From The Front Row
April 13, 2011 by Dumi Gwebu
My first show at the real fashion week, also known as South African Fashion Week was Amanda Laird Cherry.
The Capsule Collection was the much needed departure from the usual sotho, seshoeshoe fabric to the japanese inspired aesthetic reminiscent of Comme des Garçons by Rei Kawakubo and Yohji Yamamoto.
Very wearable functional pieces the summer coats so light looked like the were made of paper, then came two toned caftans that would not be out of place on a Yacht in St Toprez.
EPHYMOL
I spoke to the designer Ephraim Molingoane after his dazzling show and he confirmed what I had been suspecting: The show was inspired by the navy and his December Cape-town vacation.“Somersault was my muse, you just sit at the restaurant and u find inspiration from patrons and people walking by.”
The second look reminded me of myself as a child in navy and red mathanda kitchen.
The two toned suits just screamed take me away to an island vacation, red and navy and white shorts teamed with navy and white shirts.
The colorful and vibrant collection was on the mark. The red and black part of the collection was also interesting.
Board shorts turned formal with a formal shirt, was an amazing twist
REGGIE STAR
The collection can only be described in one word. Wearable. Anything else would just be a lie.
And it was awkward when the designer was singing live, the soundrack to his show.
MERTIQUES
The had beautiful cocktail dresses.
Nothing amazing, nothing new, it was a show of stuff that you’ve seen so many times, it felt like I was just sitting in Carlton Centre.
DIAMOND FACE COUTURE
The show was opened by the ever fabulous DJ Zinhle walking to the DJ booth. If SA designers named their show, I’m sure it would have been called Party Girl.
The designer explained “The collection redefined youthful glamour in a rebellious kinda way.It was funky without loosing the glamour which DFC has come to be known for. And it also reflected my style’s state of mind which is about refusing to conform. The music was specially remixed for the show by DJ Zinhle whose funky nature & style was reflected in both the music and style of the show.”
The collection was predominantly beige and purple in all hues there was satin party dress collection with shift dresses thrown in for good measure.
Funky skirt suits with shoulder embellishment all worn with Sneakers courtesy of Cross Trainer. No towering Louboutin inspired heels in sight (a party girl that doesn’t want to be burdened with high heels).
My highlights were the mexican inspired red carpet numbers. The detail on one of the mini dresses, Wow! There was a dress with a shoulder detail that looked like wings. Was it a statement that Uyanda is flying forward?
My only constructive criticism would be, let the collection flow. Casual then smart casual then Red carpet no’s. Otherwise it gets a bit confusing when you see casual again after you saw Flowing gowns
By Dumi Gwebu ©
Pictures courtesy of Simon Deiner/ SDR Photos
princesskoena on Wed, 13th Apr 2011 12:38 am
not into fashion so i’ll just be a silent blogger hope i’m the first so what do i get?airtym y do ppl get xcited for bein first?
ThatoM on Wed, 13th Apr 2011 1:17 am
Faints and wakes up in between Lunga’s bracket legs MODIMO!
Noriega on Wed, 13th Apr 2011 2:42 am
The first two shows mentioned and the last make me hopeful that the SA fashion industry is relevent.
The usual seshoeshoe designs are not so far away from that purple boob tube flowing top whatever it is, what a mess! -_-
Makgotso on Wed, 13th Apr 2011 4:22 am
Okay DFC collection is something I can wear mhhhhh money could grow on trees bathong
Maihlomeihlasele on Wed, 13th Apr 2011 4:42 am
@Dumi thanks for the pics ….I’d like to see Palesa Mukubung’s collection as well please.
Amanda & Ephraim’s collections are definitely on point please find out where can I stock them??? I just feel they are wasting time with SAFW they must jump ship.
As for the rest #celebrity-musicians-wanna-be/designers please focus on your true talent(whatever it is)and refine it you will see wonders. Oh that reminded me of our top SA designer Nhlahla Nciza uphi kanene??? **exactly**
Mara what why most SA designers are so obsessed with satin vele?
“REGGIE STAR The collection can only be described in one word. Wearable. Anything else would just be a lie.” #checksingovermentmotuary
Nthoentle on Wed, 13th Apr 2011 6:00 am
LOVE the blue 1 shoulder dress ya DFC! Yo,yo,yo! Can’t wait to get my body back, dammmnnnnn
lwandie on Wed, 13th Apr 2011 6:22 am
Ephymol and Amanda breath of fresh air,I love Amanda’s fabric choice and color palate,and Ephraim’s tailoring is on point.
I don’t even know what to say about Reggie’s collection because I personally can’t even call it wearable.
DFC, that sneaker twist is all the rave,witty idea especially for the red carpet look it just screams outside the box in a good way.The satin fabric is not for me at all though.
J-Girl on Wed, 13th Apr 2011 7:27 am
EPHYMOL very much on point!!
Zeal on Wed, 13th Apr 2011 8:38 am
OMG!! The blue DFC number it to die for!! Tres sexy!!
Bongani on Wed, 13th Apr 2011 9:25 am
i loved the Ephymol, Rubicon and Thunderstorm creations..i could def rock them. if only bezingaduri
Zida on Wed, 13th Apr 2011 9:35 am
Lovely recap Dumi darling.
I had a great time, even though I was working. These are always crazy and hectic backstage but that’s what makes it so exciting. The energy and upbeat nature.
Ephymol is the best male designer in the country. Actually, he’s world class. He pays attention to details. His worksmanship is out of this world. Shanghai is so ready for him!
Buhlebonga on Wed, 13th Apr 2011 10:00 am
I’m not really impressed with the DFC collection. I think the sneakers threw it off and the flow… from the pictures I’ve seen and the comments I’ve gathered wasn’t that great. But A for effort and I’m glad she got Cross Trainer backing her collection. Kinder reminded me of the Stella McCartney for Adidas show…
I liked Ephymol. The whole nautical look was me this summer. Joel Janse van Vuren was boss. He made tie dye look awesome. Terrence Bray, ALC amd Lunar wowed me. Reggie and Loxion Kulca were a mess and the Smartees will grow on me!
What did you guys think of Abigail Betz disiing SAFW on Twitter? I mean she’s an AFI (team Motsepe designer) and what she did was just unnecessary. She even had a press release on her ‘thoughts’ about SAFW
http://www.facebook.com/notes/abigail-betz/official-press-release-regarding-safw-miss-milli-b-discrimination-size/1975426509055?m_sess=1utFiy-rxhecscn
I think it was distasteful and really dumb. Fashion is a very tiny world. Who you piss off can mess you up.
Siyamthanda on Wed, 13th Apr 2011 10:17 am
Ephymol collection TEN POINTS
DFC- this collection just seems “confused” like she wasnt sure wherether to go casual or not.
The rest bleh, Amanda Laird Cherry I usually love their stuff, but this time ake sure.
GTI on Wed, 13th Apr 2011 10:32 am
DFC two toned lipsticks not on_it’s not nice. ke eng vele?
Mertiques first black dress is beautiful.
LadyM on Wed, 13th Apr 2011 11:14 am
the blue DFC number is hot.
i LOVE EphyMol!! I been crushing on him since i can remember, LOL. but he is a gr8 designer.
FLJM on Wed, 13th Apr 2011 1:02 pm
DFC clothes are very neat… I like that.
Ephraim did a brilliant job interpreting his inspiration into the clothes. very subtle but well done. Loves Ephymol..
The rest are just alright.
Jikka on Wed, 13th Apr 2011 2:42 pm
Ephymol,,,where can i buy your clothes??
impartial on Wed, 13th Apr 2011 3:10 pm
Ephraim’s collection is Haute.I’d die to hav a man who dresses like dt.Love the colours.I would love to c more men making an effort when dressing up without being mistaken for being gay.Scruffy isn’t hot man.
Mapakisha on Thu, 14th Apr 2011 10:41 am
iyo, yo, yo! The Guy in the red shorts (Ephymol’s). Tjo, tjo, tjo,tjo!! *FAINTS*!
Bongani on Thu, 14th Apr 2011 11:22 am
i just saw some nice designs By Naked Ape. wow beautiful creations…Batholakalaphi are they affordable???