Tag: MBFW

MBFWCT 2017

Posted on by Nhlanhla Masemola

I was quite bummed to have missed MBFWCT this season but luck (or mother nature) was in my favour as the event was postponed due to Cape Town’s violent winds. Fast forward a few weeks an a new awesome venue locked in the event kicked off without any weather interruptions.

The new location at Salt River Film studios boasted ample parking and cool industrial landscapes as the back drop to the pan-african fashion on display. Media and VIP’s were hosted in an intersecting lounge allowing easy mingling over drinks and snacks between shows. I am hoping AFI hosts future events here too.

Millie Collines Swahili inspired collection was a notable crowd favorite as she transcended the audience on a (much needed) trip to the coast of east Africa featuring easy wearing flowing silhouettes. The designers clearly took inspiration from East Africa’s large muslim population. Having travelled up Africa and seen how muslim people express their personal style with vibrant rich colors, massive scarves and flowing dresses, its not hard to understand why many become inspired to create.

I was pretty excited to be wearing my favorite up and comer – Droomer. The head designer Cleo Droomer, is a friend of mine and its exciting to see his collection take over the local fashion scene. I was sad to have missed his show on the first night as I was in New Zealand during his showcase, but lucky enough to have showcased his garments in my own way. Keep an eye out for this special talent in up and coming shows!

I managed to catch Maxhosa by Laduma as my final show.He manages to showcase his culture in a new and exciting way each time. The most memorable garment for me was the mens track pants where ribbing was exchanged for locally produced beaded badges. Of course Laduma’s socks got everyone gasping and ‘needing’ a pair asap. I do hope he can expend one the prints and colors he shows us each season into fresh concepts like he does with his menswear.

Although the shows went through a bit of drama to finally get displayed it was well worth the wait. What is fashion without a little drama?

For more on fashion week you can have a look at http://africanfashioninternational.com

Xo Aisha

Reverse Psychology

Posted on by Nhlanhla Masemola

Since its “Fashion Week Season” I have been keeping my eyes on all the street style coming through from the various Fash capitals of the world. I think the true style messages are delivered in fashion show’s but really spread out through street style. For me there is nothing more inspiring than whats happening on outside the big shows.
Continue reading “Reverse Psychology”

MBFWJ Round Up

Posted on by Nhlanhla Masemola

I spent just a few days in Jozi last week for MBFWJ – our very own fashion week. It’s always great to celebrate South African fashion and creatives alike. Fashion in South Africa has certainly come a long way with designers construction and design really leveling up with international designers. I decided to round up a few of my highlights of the week after the jump!

Opening night was all about our local celebrities, with songstress Nandi Mngoma’s debut collection “Colour” being showcased and AFI’s fast track young designers, Tayla Nguskos, Chesney Williams and Buda Malete collaborating with celebrities Minnie Dlamini, DJ Zinhle and Dj Tira.

I was pleased to see Nandi’s work live in action as she had gotten so much attention for her look on the red carpet at the annual BET awards this year. As a designer she has a flair for the unordinary, interesting garment and lots of color too! Fasttrack is always my favorite show because the future stars of design come out to show their work – its exciting to see those stars rise late on in life! The most notable collection for me was Buda’s collab with DJ Tira.

I skipped Day 2 to finish off some admin, but was back in full force for day 3 for The Threaded Man Experience, having my hair done by GHD after a quick makeup application by me.

It was really exciting to see Laduma Ngoxolo’s collection MaXhosa live for the first time on day 3. I have been a fan of his work for some time but I had never been to now of his shows. After great success and international acclaim, showing in Italy at Pita Uomo, Laduma’s IsiXhosa inspired printed collection continues to make waves. It was such an earmarked show that people were literally sitting on the floor and walkways to watch his show walk down the runway. Definitely a highlight for me at this fashion week – since he takes design so seriously.

I have been trained to spot designers faults by my incredibly talented grandmother, so I am often underwhelmed when designers send unfinished garments down the runway with unintentional dripping seams, exposed zips and poorly constructed garments. I think its important for all young designers to send a full body of well constructed work down the runway. It really excites me when talent like Laduma, sends down a well crafted collection, with a masters in Material Futures from the prestigious ST Martins We would not expect anything less from him.

About My Looks

Day 1 : HM Studio A/W launching September 8th In stores

Day 3: W35T label available at Convoy Shop Melville

Xo Aisha

Street Photography: Layla Shaik

Runway Photography : SDR Photo via Afi (here)

As If You Care

Posted on by Nhlanhla Masemola

I’m not usually big on art – because I don’t really understand how to view it. My viewings usually start with “wow that’s cool” and then I get really self conscious when art nerds talk about the composition and fluidity of the work. At this point I get lost in my drink and stand there listening. But it doesn’t take much knowledge of art to appreciate the work of Blessing Ngobeni,  winner of the Reinhold Cassirer art award in 2012 was named one of the top 200 young South Africans to look out for by the Mail and Guardian. Continue reading “As If You Care”