FLYING FISH PREMIUM FLAVOURED BEER - #FunkyFlavour at Neighbourgoods Market with Alan & Krishen

We went in search of some Funky flavour with Flying Fish Premium Flavoured Beer and could not think of any better place than the buzzing Neighbourhoods Market in Braamfontein on a Saturday morning. All the Jozi funky kids were out and about enjoying some Flying Fish Flavoured Beer while socialising and trying out some market cuisine. We had a great time finding the funk and looking to #AddSomeFlavour in true Alan and Krishen style...

This market comes alive from early on a Saturday morning
The signature Spanish Paella dish is cooked in large pans over a flame

A range of delectable cuisine on offer:
everything from Greek to Mexican food is available

Alan opted for Indian while Krishen went with Mexican -
both incredibly delicious
(washed down with some Flying Fish of course!)

The perfect beverage for the delicious market food:
Flying Fish Premium Flavoured Beer

Hats, hats and more hats:
not only fashionable but also rather practical in the African sun

An ever-popular destination on a Saturday morning
- Jozi folk flock to Neighbourgoods for some fun in the sun

We loved these proudly Jozi t-shirts on sale at the market!

Flying Fish is clearly the ultimate Summer party accessory
for individuals with a funky twist

Everyone had a great time socialising with friends while maintaining
effortless style

We particularly loved this funky fashionista in a sleek sports luxe look
incorporating some leather detail with awesome Nike kicks

Individual style is what it's all about
this Summer

Flying Fish celebrates funky, trendy indivduals
living outside the norm

As you can tell, we had a great morning enjoying some Flying Fish Premium Flavoured Beer while searching for some funky flavour... Definitely a great way to #AddSomeFlavour to a Saturday morning!

7 FOR ALL MANKIND LAUNCH - Sandton, Johannesburg

In 2000, the landscape of premium denim was changed forever. The 7 For All Mankind brand was born in Los Angeles, California and has since become a favourite of Hollywood celebrities and socialites. We were recently lucky enough here in South Africa to get our own 7 For All Mankind store. The new 7 For All Mankind store opened in Sandton City, and now we have the opportunity to access this premium denim brand.

Arriving at the launch -
our signature banner picture

We loved the modern and uncluttered design of the store

Checking out some of the denim
It was evident that the fabric and fit are both superb

Catching up with Louise Carver 
(and getting some info on her upcoming Christmas performances!)

Filipe De Carvalho was rocking his geometric hairstyle at the event

Alan never misses an opportunity to be
snapped with stylish Safiyah Vally 

Lerato Kganyago 
looked casually chic
in her 7 For All Mankind denims

It's always fun to have a catch-up with these lovely ladies,
seen here with Tamerin Jardine and Legato Kganyago

MERCEDES BENZ FASHION WEEK AFRICA - Melrose Arch, Johannesburg

'A celebration of African fashion from all parts of the continent': this would be the perfect way to describe the MBFW Africa held at Melrose Arch at the end of October. This annual event brings together celebrated African designers who all converge upon Johannesburg in an explosion of colour, pattern and print. Gone are the days of tired clichés when it comes to African design aesthetic. The continent has steadily been rising as a leading player in the global fashion economy. As the founder of Africa Fashion International (AFI) Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe stated, 'When it comes to fashion design, Africa is the next frontier.' However, what is more inspiring is that despite not always being recognised by international markets, Africans are loving African fashion and wearing it proudly. 

Reminiscent of the triumphant World Cup held in South Africa a few years ago, the words of 'Waka Waka' seem to ring true: 'It's time for Africa!'

These were some of our highlights from the jam-packed MBFW Africa: 

Arriving at MBFW Africa with touches of red

We loved the new MaXhosa collection by Laduma Ngxokolo:
an incredibly talented and skilled SA designer whose star is rising.
He was named Emerging Designer of the Year later in the week
at the AFI Awards Ceremony

Laurence Chauvin Buthaud of Laurence Airline from the Ivory Coast
showcased some refreshing menswear
beautiful colour combinations combined with fantastic tailoring

A definite highlight was the incredibly talented Taibo Bacar from Mozambique
- bound to become a well-known name in future

One of our young talented men, Rich Mnisi,
beat a few other designers to the punch with his sport chic OATH collection
during the AFI Fastrack Show

Marianne Fassler brought out the aesthetic for which she is so well-known
before taking us 'Back To Black' with a show-stopping collection

We were all too excited for the off-site David Tlale fashion show.
Creative Council was a fantastic outdoor venue with  magnificent Joburg vistas

The collection started off with muted blush tones
and segued into vibrant shades of persimmon
David's 'Paradise Peach' shades

We were then treated to David's signature use of print:
crisp white shirts paired with an exquisite vibrant fabric

After the excitement of the fashion shows,
it was time for AFI to award the top industry players of the year.
The glittering AFI Awards Ceremony
topped MBFW Africa off in true style!

We were thrilled for our friends over at Gaschette Magazine
for winning Trend Communicator of the Year
Seen here are (from left):
Colin O'Mara Davis, Jessica Lupton and Steve Marais

We love his work and were proud to see
Rich Mnisi come out on top as
AFI's Young Designer of the Year
  

Marianne Fassler was honoured as Designer of the Year
Well deserved!

FASHION RETROSPECTIVE - Calvin Klein

No one is more excited about the arrival of Calvin Klein on our shores than us.  Next week the official launch of the first Calvin Klein stand-alone store takes place at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.  In the wake of all the publicity surrounding the store launch, we decided to look back at the major influence that has made Calvin Klein the household brand we have come to know. Not only did Calvin Klein transform the way we would look at simple denim jeans and underwear but he also changed the way advertising would be used to sell fashion.

The impact of his marketing led Time magazine to declare Klein one of the twenty-five most influencial Americans of the mid-90s.  The early Calvin Klein ad campaigns of the early 70s had been unspectacular, but the ground-breaking series of commercials, directed by Vogue stalwart Richard Avendon, featuring the fifteen-year old actress Brooke Shields changed the way fashion would be advertised from that point onwards.

Shields had just starred as a teen prostitute in the 1978 movie 'Pretty Baby' and her public persona had been associated with that role. In the ads Shields posed provocatively and declared: "You know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing."  The suggestion of underage sexuality in these ads provoked a flood of complaints and the three major television networks refused to air them.  Klein was unperturbed.  The controversy only fueled sales and, at the height of the campaign, two million pairs of jeans were selling per month.

And it certainly didn't end there. Back in the early 80s Calvin Klein made another bold move, stepping into an industry that, up to that point, had been dominated by cheap garments focussed solely on comfort and hygiene.  This move would shape the men's underwear industry into what it is today - sexualised, brand-led and concentrating on premium quality. Again it was an ad campaign (featuring pole vaulter Tom Hintaus' physique and the lens of Bruce Weber) that did the trick, converting men's underwear into a fashion garment to show off.  It was a big gamble but the soaring sales showed that it definitely paid off.  Calvin Klein underwear quickly became the biggest selling underwear in the world - and remains so.

The ads kept coming.  From the highly sexualised Marky Mark and Kate Moss campaign in the 90s to a campaign that caused such outrage, it was targeted by the US Family Association and even Bill Clinton.

The 1995 ad campaign that caused all the drama was shot by Steve Meisel in the style of 70s pornographic audition pics, seemingly photographed in a dingy, wood-paneled basement (further adding to the effect). It featured models that looked as if they were definitely the wrong side of 18. An investigation by the Justice Department was eventually dropped only when it was proved that all the models were indeed adults.  But this time the backlash was too severe - just as numerous magazines had already done, Calvin Klein pulled the ads from circulation.

So while we wait for the next groundbreaking Calvin Klein ad campaign, we can now purchase Calvin Klein in SA. The new V&A store will carry men's and women's Calvin Klein sportswear, Calvin Klein Jeans and underwear product as well as licensed Calvin Klein accessories, watches, sunglasses, jewelry and fragrances.

THE ROAD TO THE SA STYLE AWARDS

Awards ceremonies are a dime a dozen but the SA Style Awards is regarded by many as the major annual awards ceremony - the one that really counts.  This year's awards, proudly sponsored by Jaguar SA and MWeb WiFi, will take place with a dazzling red carpet event and awards ceremony in the new fashion court in Hyde Park Corner, followed by a dinner and party at the Southern Sun Hyde Park Hotel.  Guests will also witness a Yves Saint Laurent Beaute installation featuring a show by eight designers who are inspired by this style icon.

We were extremely excited when the announcement was made a week or so ago as to who this year's winners are.  The reason we were so excited was because so many of the winners happened to be friends of ours.  Of course, we will be there at the Awards to report on who was there and what they were wearing but, in our build up to the ceremony itself, we salute this year's winners:

Most Stylish Performing Artist - Television
ROXY BURGER
We adore Roxy's style - innovative and edgy with a
sense of classic.  Roxy's attention to detail when it comes to fashion
saw her take particular interest in her wardrobe while presenting
Strictly Come Dancing - sometimes flying in garments from
overseas.

Most Stylish Performing Artist (Film)
JAY ANSTEY
It is very hard to go wrong when you are best friends with
one of SA's top fashion designers, Gert Johan-Coetzee but,
whenever we see her, Jay seems to wear every GJC gown
like a second skin.

Most Stylish Model
JOELLE KAYEMBE
Congolese-born, Joelle Kayembe is an International
supermodel.  From her smouldering appearances on Deal Or
No Deal to featuring in international music videos, Joelle ranks
up there with fashion royalty.

Most Innovative Style
CHU SUWANNAPHA
We always bump into Chu at every fashion week and have
admired his style from the first time we ever met him.
It's no co-incidence his nickname is
"The Prince Of Prints"

Most Stylish Designer
ALBERTUS SWANEPOEL
One of SA's most talented exports has to be milliner Albertus Swanepoel.
No stranger to international fashion runways, his innovative headwear
has featured on the runways of Carolina Herrera and Alexander Wang.

Most Stylish Media Personality
(Sponsored by MWeb WiFi)
MELINDA BAM
Former Miss SA and current Veet Ambassador, Melinda Bam continues
to grow from strength to strength.  Since her reign as Miss SA came
to an end, Melinda has hardly been out of the spotlight.  Her recent
marriage to former Mr SA, Adriaan Bergh indicated just how
much the media and public continue to adore her.

Most Stylish Performing Artist (Music)
MAFIKIZOLO
We have been fans of Mafikizolo since the release
of their first album in the early 2000s.  After a break from the music
business, the recent success
of their comeback album 'Reunited' proved just how popular
Theo and Nhlanhla remain.

Most Stylish Business Person
NATASHA SIDERIS
Mention the name "Tashas" and two words always enter
consciousness - "quality food".  Since opening her first Tashas almost
a decade ago, Natasha Sideris has personally overseen the
opening of nearly a dozen across the country.

Most Stylish SA Icon
THULI MADONSELA
What more can be said about Thuli Madonsela that has not been said already?
The accolades keep coming - 2014 Glamour Woman of The Year,
ANN7 South African Of The Year and now the SA Style Award as Most Stylish
SA Icon.  We loved meeting Thuli earlier this year and we were awestruck by
her down-to-earth humility.

Most Stylish Couple
JOSH LINDBERG & ZURAIDA JARDINE
We always love bumping into Josh & Zuraida, Josh has the
most amazing passion for theatre and film while Zuraida will
always remain one of our style favourites - equally stylish
in TopShop as she is in designer-wear.

Street Style Newcomer Of The Year (Male)
(Sponsored by Marie Claire)
JONATHAN BOYNTON-LEE
2014 has to be Jonathan's year.  Earlier this year we watched him take the crown
as Cosmo's Sexiest Man of 2014 and then watched him win the last
season of Strictly Come Dancing.  Over and above that,Jonathan has the kind of
fashion sense that makes him one of SA's most stylish men

Street Style Newcomer Of The Year (Female)
(Sponsored by Marie Claire)
NANDI MNGOMA
Since Nandi Mngoma stepped into the spotlight she has
successfully carved out a music and television career. Her excellent personal
style is adored by many - it is no wonder Nandi was recently
announced as a Legit clothing Ambassador.