SAFW A/W15 - Menswear Competition

As with the Renault New Talent Search, it a competitive spirit brought out the best in the designers. The menswear competition did not disappoint and we were thrilled to see some cutting-edge designs coming through. As opposed to being staid, conservative and dressed-down as menswear in South Africa often is portrayed, these collections showed that new blood will bring a dose of vitality to men's fashion and keep guys looking funky and fresh. Just how we like them...

The competing labels were: Plumbum Engineered, Touch of Bling, Meistre House of Design, M4S, Amos Tranque, Kim Gush and Beware The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

Our thoughts on these collections:

Plumbum Engineered
This sports luxe collection brought together futuristic underwear elements as well as some interesting choices of fabric to bring us a confident, sexy man not afraid of showing off. According to designer Preston Tandy, 'a man that glides through effortless dressing and whose mind is always thinking ahead.'

Plumbum Engineered
Photo: Simon Deiner / SDR Photography

Touch of Bling

Thabo Khumalo created a fitted, modern safari collection in grey instead of the usual khaki with touches of gold. This created an overall pleasing effect: wearable for the modern man while adding some more eye-catching elements such as his gold eyelet detailing. 

Touch of Bling
Photo: Simon Deiner / SDR Photography

Meistre House of Design

This collection by Daniel Meistre brought out less structured suits with interesting lapel detail as well as under-shirts resembling tunics. The organic linens looked easy to wear yet maintained a stylish quality. This collection would appeal to the man who prefers loose-fitting, easy-to-wear garments which maintain a certain sense of panache. 

Meistre House of Design
Photo: Simon Deiner / SDR Photography

M4S (Ministry 4 Style)

The Fetish collection by Luiz DeLaja of M4S was reminiscent of a funky trip to the arctic. It blended futuristic elements with edgy design. The concept of 'fetish' was explored through textures, silhouettes and juxtapositions. 

M4S
Photo: Simon Deiner / SDR Photography

Amos Tranque

This collection brought out futuristic elements in a somewhat retro way. While drawing on 'Personal Space', he invoked ideas about space travel as it would possibly have been depicted in days gone by. Blended with street sensibility, this made for an exceptionally pleasing collection.  

Amos Tranque
Photo: Simon Deiner / SDR Photography

Kim Gush

This collection, entitled 'Babel', brought to mind the blending of masculine and feminine style principles inspired by the likes of Asian designers. It was well-executed and made for a definite style statement of a modern man utterly secure in his masculinity while acknowledging his other sides. 

Kim Gush
Photo: Simon Deiner / SDR Photography

Beware The Wolf In Sheep's Clothing 

Visually captivating and immediately transporting us to another time and place, Andrew Chandler's collection was successful in bringing to mind a men from different eras. A perfect blend of style and artistry, it reminded us of early Vivienne Westwood. 

Beware The Wolf In Sheep's Clothing
Photo: Simon Deiner / SDR Photography

The runners-up were Amos Tranque and Touch of Bling while Beware of The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing scooped the main prize. We couldn't agree more...