MBFWCT ups and downs.

PoseZA had quite an interesting experience at this year’s Mercedes Benz Cape Town Fashion Week. As lovers and supporters of fashion Cape Town Fashion Week is the biggest event on our calendar a lot of time and effort is spent on planning looks and negotiating with designers and stores about looks to wear at the event, planning leave days to cover the event and so much more. Could you imagine the disappointment of receiving a vague and cold email from the Public Relations team handling the event about our application for media accreditation being unsuccessful, we then tried calling to try find out what their reasons were because for the past three years there had been no problems getting media accreditation and we made sure our posts were consistent or even better with each year but that was useless because the phone went answered. After many calls, texts, emails and inboxes on Social Media we managed to get tickets from designer friends and contacts from other publications for the final day. Upon arrival and having brief chats with acquaintances that grind in the media circles it seems most people had grievances about one thing or another from the planning as a whole or problems with seats, the issuing of the wrong tickets all these by the way are people that play influential roles in the fashion game we’re talking editors, fashion curators, buyers, writers from Cape Town’s major publications and bloggers. We truly question the future of Cape Town Fashion Week if organizers continue to neglect those who play such important roles in the industry that give the event free publicity and are the bridge between the fashion industry and the everyday man and women we feel it's a necessity for AFI to hire the correct Public Relations houses that are familiar with Cape Towns media we think it's common sense. With that said we must say the fashion we managed to see made the amount of hustling we had to do worth it and during the course of the post we’ll be discussing our highlights. IMPRINT In times where everyone is stressed about paying bills, putting food on the table and so much more we need moments where we’re taken to a beautiful place, where for just a moment we forget and get consumed by absolute beauty, this was certainly achieved by Mzukisi Mbane at the Imprint show on the final day of #MBCTFW. He gave us snippet of his childhood as the inspiration of the collection was based on him watching his mother as boy getting dressed and how the power of how clothes could transform her into the lead character of her own life. We felt the collection was reminiscent of a time where South Africa wasn’t as liberated and progressive as it is today although those were difficult times in South African history the people found joy in their music and clothes making the popular struggle song ‘Not Yet Uhuru’ the perfect song choice as models paraded feminine and retro inspired silhouettes with bold African fabrics that had relation to the collection he showed at South African Menswear Week. He’s definitely mastering the art of clashing bold fabrics without the final result being offensive, over worked or tortured we’re also glad he doesn’t rest solely on the beauty of the fabrics as is the case with most designers with African inspired aesthetics, he manages to deliver garments that are interesting with an x factor we can definitely see women from different walks of life putting on the garments and transforming into lead characters of their lives and leaving a mark where ever they show up. We felt the collection had a great mixture of looks from chic day dresses, trapeze maxi dresses that had movement that floated whimsically gliding down the runway as well as great separates like the red and white striped short sleeved jacket that was cinched in the waist by a belt made of a contrasting fabric that’s an item that would flatter a lot of women with different shapes we also enjoyed the luxurious swimwear pieces that came in a rich paisley print paired with the signature bold Jewellery by Sticky Hodge Podge it’s definitely going to be a hot spring/summer season where we’ll be spoilt for choice and we’re grateful to have been a part of the experience he definitely got us excited about showing some skin as soon as it warms up .

LAZULI We’ve been fans of the Lazuli Label since we started attending MBCTFW we love how they continue to serve us effortless luxury. This season they gave women beautiful day time options for lots of chic fun under the sun in colour schemes that allow for mixing and matching, the beauty of the collection lied in the subtle design details that are sure to accentuate and flatter the female form. The collection also had a youthful spunk with femininity and sex appeal without being vulgar which can sometimes be a challenge for most designers to get right. The items we found special were the mustard ensembles one being the jumpsuit that drew emphasis on the waistline which will certainly be flattering on most women it’s the type of look that will nip women in the right places and we like that the leg is flared giving it a relaxed comfortable element. The other being the mustard crop top with the elasticated waist paired with a dreamy high waisted gathered maxi skirt with slits on the side. The gingham pieces had us daydreaming about spring picnics; we found the flared full circle skirt dress charming and appreciated the workmanship in the high waisted overlapping shorts with the elaborate belt. Then there were the see through blouses with a gypsy influence which are a major trend for the spring/summer season, even though the collection had a laid back vibe there were sophisticated items like the trapeze black maxi dress which we can see a more mature customer buying the true show stopper was the finale look obviously which we could see a modern fashion/free spirit wearing to their wedding it had movement was whimsical and certainly left us with an impression.

RUFF TUNG For the ladies that enjoy a sophisticated and elegant timeless approach to fashion we suggest you familiarize yourself with the Bromwell Boutique Mall on Albert Road in the trendy Woodstock (for those that don’t) who along with popular online store Spree are the official stockists of the Ruff Tung Label for the Spring/Summer season they showed bold prints ranging from tribal monochrome to blue and navy and white oversized florals in silhouettes and shapes with an Asian influence in luxurious light knit fabric. We liked that they offered variety and showed looks appropriate for any occasion like the printed asymmetrical overlapping body con dress (worn by TV Personality and Actress Bonnie Mbuli on the day of the show) which we could see someone rocking at a cocktail soiree. The monochromatic tea length dress with the black panel made from chiffon is definitely a dress ladies should buy for those romantic dinner dates with their husbands or single ladies should wear on a hot date. Our favourite look is without a doubt the colourful floral printed kimono wrap dress with the sequined embellishment on the wide sleeves

LARA KLAWIKOWSKI Another member of the Bromwell Boutique family Lara Klawikowski showed a collection packed with design details for days!!! She targets women who gravitate towards a more Avant Garde approach to fashion her pieces always have intricate craftsmanship and every garment is a piece of art for this coming spring/summer season she showed us a gentle and feminine collection in a dreamy pastel color pallete using lots of colored lace and sheer fabrics in interesting shapes and silhouettes the collection is definitely on a more fashion forward path and it was refreshing to see have a collection that didn’t take itself too seriously and we applaud her for pushing the envelope and continuing to bring us innovation. Our favourite looks were the flared and pleated multi colored strapless dress that was layered with a sheer black crop top, the white asymmetrical lace short sleeved jacket that was strategically paired with a more demure black dress, the sheer cropped bodice with binding that was paired with the pastel yellow flared shorts that resembled a flower which we find better suited for a young fashionista. She also includes a sheer black blouse we think will be a hit that can easily take you from the boardroom to a dinner date and a number of dresses we think will turn heads at any occasion.

GOOSE HOMME PROSUM Goose Homme Prosum who kicked off day1 and opened MBCTFW showed us how luxury shouldn’t be left to the ladies, with a sharp collection that had a sports-luxe infused nautical theme that was ultra-chic, Using the traditional colours usually associated with the nautical trend and introducing his personal signature nautical print that was used in looks such as the form fitting jumpsuit worn by media personality Liezel Van Der Westhuizen and the two piece shirt and close fitting shorts we saw on international catwalks for menswear. He also included sleeveless puffer jackets that resembled the life jacket in a striped green and navy blue option with pocket square detail making them must have items for the guys who enjoy the hipster look. We can definitely see this collection on international catwalks competing with major names in the fashion business we wish him all the best on his international debuts and have no doubt that he’ll do us proud.

Photography by SDR.CO.ZA and AFI