Forever Black - Student Competition 2009

These are some pics of some of the entries for this year's student competition, Forever Black. Students were asked to create a lbd made entirely from recycled material. Judging took place on Wednesday...keep your eye out for the announcement of the finalists...more pics to come. - DA

Clive's Rundle's Spring

Over the past weeks Clive sent me these pictures of his garden. It is a privilege to be let into his world. LB

Take Five - Nine Takes, The Fashion Fusion Project

“TWIRLS, CURLS and POLKA DOTSSTRIPES, TIES and TIE-DYED spotsSTITCHESKissesFor a stoned missusCherryBerryPale blue and merry
MunroeConrowBig bows and AfrosDRESSCOATSLove boatsPLEATED SKIRTSAnd SCHOOL SHIRTS
‘HOGGAI!’they cryin STRIPED TIESand TIE-DYES‘no lies,it’s natural!’Cherrie TEXTURAL.in the luxury trainit all stays the samelavish loungingand LEATHER BINDINGROUGED PUFFSand BEADED CUFFS
FLARE goes her skirtas the mshoza says‘HOZA!’
COLOURED HOSESPetals and roses
Twirls, curls and polka dotsSWEET AUBERGINE andSPICY GREENSEXY swankingShe must be seen
On top of her gameAnd proud of her nameIn the luxury trainIt all stays the same.Twirls, curls and polka dotsFANCY CAPSFLAMBOYANT HATSTweeds, BEADSAnd TOP STITCHED SEAMSWith DESIGNER GLASSES sheReads
BOOTLEGGED ANDLOW-SLUNG‘HEY! EK IS NIE BANG!DIS DOUBLE DOLLY ONDER DIECORSET!’She’s ravishingReady to jet-set
Twirls, curls and polkadotsStripes, ties and tie-dyed spotsSTITCHES, kissesFor a stoned missusIn the LUXURY TRAINIt all stays the same
…nothing changesit all stays the same.spirit and essence

POEM by designer Nkhensani Nkosi – Stoned Cherrie

“In 1983 Anne Napolis came from India to our village Meokota as a missionary and taught me crafts. She also taught me batik and how to print on white material. But embroidering is part of my tradition and I make many things to decorate houses. I’m a Shangaan woman and like the Ndebele, I wear big rings. I work for Stoned Cherrie, which I enjoy, and embroidery is part of my culture. Sometimes my work is too traditional for them and we have to meet each other halfway. So they tell me what they want and what I learn I pass on to other crafters. We often apply beads to printed blouses.” - crafter Elisa Maluleke

Extract taken from nineTAKES – The Fashion Fusion Project, published by Channel F Publishing, R200. Available: info@soda.co.za or on 011 442 7812

International Fashion Trends - 2009/10

Source: Fashion Trend - Runway Issue N.24

Take Four - Nine Takes, The Fashion Fusion Project

“As a student I researched craft methods theoretically, and reworked fabrics and print techniques peculiar to various African cultures. The DAC Fashion Fusion Project put me in touch with a wealth of real skills to tap into and work with. It is incredibly inspiring. Everyone normally does what he or she loves to do, and so we feed off each other’s creative energy. It’s all about utilising craft to change the face of a fabric and make something lasting. I would break down a design and give each crafter a component to work on. Then, to everyone’s amazement, we would put the elements together to produce the embellishment on the garment. So the craft wasn’t complicated and I could control the process and create a new interpretation. You start with one thing and a crafter sewing the first structure, which may appear more beautiful than the finished product, sparks an idea of how to use it another way. So the ideas flow. Crafting is a realm you can get lost in and you have to be subtle as to how you apply craft. It is difficult to explain what quality you need, and then communicate it to people who do not see the end product as a luxury article for a European market.” – designer Terrence Bray

“I learnt beading from my older sister and people on the farm near Durban where I grew up. I learnt by copying and looking at things I liked. I make all sorts of things thatI sell at the market. For Terrence, I do what he asks and follow his instructions.He then applies it to his dresses. At Sanlam South African Fashion Week I saw the dresses and I liked them so much. Once, I showed him my bags and other products. He took an element and changed it into his style. It was so different. I couldn’t imagine it like that. It was something new I hadn’t seen before.” – crafter Nellie Mkwali

Extract taken from nineTAKES – The Fashion Fusion Project, published by Channel F Publishing, R200. Available: info@soda.co.za or on 011 442 7812

Decadent Barbie Experience, tea and afterparty

For a true Barbie experience, doors to open at 20h45 on September 16th outside the runway at the Sandton Convention Centre, promise an ultimate showcase of five decades of a global fashion icon at the Barbie Gallery. Set to run concurrently with the Winter Collections 2010 from 09:00 am - 18h00 is Barbie’s official pick and drop tea party for official fans at plush Morningside’s Cup restaurant. Succulent Barbie inspired cupcakes, coffees and smoothies will be on offer. To be part of the action, book a ticket at the Barbie Showroom at the SSAFW Exhibition. Inside Track: 5FM’s vinyl spinning Erica Elle and fresh Dj duo Digital Diva are to close off the closing night of the Winter Collections 2010 at the official Barbie afterparty at flashy Melrose Arch’s The Venue. Doors open at 21h30. Tickets are available at the door.

International Fashion Trends - 2009/10

Source: Fashion Trend - Runway Issue N.24