#TREND MEN - Andy Warhol x Converse

When an iconic artist, famous for turning pop culture into art, collaborates with the makers of some of the most popular items of footwear, it can only mean one thing - an artistic marriage of enormous proportion.

We were invited to view the latest range of high-end Converse sneakers drawing inspiration from one of the greatest artists of the 20th Century, Andy Warhol.

#TREND MEN - We Conquer Norway

A big thank you to our Norwegian fan-base for their unwavering support. This month, we had more visitors from Norway than we did from our home country! Clearly the #TrendMen, Alan & Krishen, are becoming popular in far off destinations. We hope the opportunity arises to visit our friends in Norway soon.

We would really love to hear from our Norwegian fans. Please keep in touch!

Twitter: @AlanKrishen 

Facebook: Alan Foley & Krishen Samuel

Instagram: @alanfoley6 @krishen.samuel

#TREND MEN - To Age or Not To Age?

We recently attended two events that were related to the topic of ageing. Both these events brought to the fore the topics of ageing gracefully, techniques to slow the ageing process, what ageing means to individuals and of course, the ultimate question, whether or not one really has to age at all. There are currently two very interesting trends regarding ageing: the one embraces the ideal of ageing gracefully and accepting the process with little or no resistance; the other clings to a more youthful appearance and urges ageing individuals to look younger than they really are through various means. What is the ultimate answer when it comes to the age-old question of getting older? 

We recently attended two fascinating
events dedicated to the topic of ageing

We are living longer than we ever have in the past. This is due to advances in healthcare, an improved standard of living and a greater awareness of risk factors in our environment that could potentially shorten our lives. We are more clued up when it comes to exercise, nutrition, life-shortening and life-lengthening habits - almost to a compulsive degree - than any other generation that has preceded us. Thus, we see more individuals of an advanced age around us: not only in public spaces but also portrayed in the media. A popular current trend is to use ageing individuals in major media campaigns. These advertisements have glorified the ageing process and a graceful advancement of beauty in the later years. We have seen faces such as those of Helen Mirren (for L'Oreal), Joan Didion (for Céline) and Iris Apfel (for Kate Spade) gracing beauty and fashion advertisements. On his blog, Advanced Style, Ari Seth Cohen has shown us how beauty can exist in the latter years. A combination of confidence, style and a sense of being self-possessed makes these older models incredibly appealing to the public. The other factor is the realness of it all: every human will age and it's about time that advertising reflected this. This new trend does not aim to falsify, instead it is all about presenting ageing in a way that is beautiful and gives women who are ageing the permission to do so gracefully. 

Helen Mirren has aged beautifully and is proud of it (top)
Joan Didion is the uber-stylish granny for Celine (bottom left)
and Iris Apfel's style becomes more celebrated as she ages (bottom right)

At a recent Longevity event held at Hyde Park Corner, hairstylist David Gilson spoke about the current hair trend of going grey and doing it in style. This is reflective of the overall trend of accepting the ageing process and allowing it to happen instead of resisting it. Even younger women who are going prematurely grey are beginning to embrace this: it's no longer necessarily seen as a hair colour for grandmothers, it can actually be quite trendy. For the L'Oreal beauty campaign, none of the pictures of Helen Mirren were re-touched. This once again reflects a society embracing wrinkles and ageing and not seeing these natural processes as the enemy. 

Meryl Streep rocked a grey-haired look as
the incredibly stylish fashion doyenne,
Miranda Priestly, in The Devil Wears Prada

Leading hairstylist David Gilson spoke about
the grey hair trend

At the Longevity event, we were given a talk by leading cardiologist and integrative health practitioner, Dr. Riaz Motara, on the fascinating topic of epigenetics. Epigenetics affect gene expression. Dr. Motara explained this as switching a light switch on or off. Thus even for identical twins with the same genetic material, they may have different epigenetic processes occurring. Our epigenetics are impacted upon by our environment. The conditions we are exposed to affect our gene expression through our epigenetics. What this means is that we can impact upon the way in which we age, the rate at which we age and the quality of our health as we age. Science is just beginning to uncover the secrets and complexities of epigenetics but one thing is for sure: we do not all age in the same way and it appears that choices we make today may very well affect how we age tomorrow. 

Dr. Riaz Motara

If ageing gracefully simply sounds ridiculous to you or the complexities of epigenetics sound too complex, there are other options. On the the other side of the spectrum is the field of aesthetic medicine and anti-ageing procedures. If we cannot yet fully control the ageing process from the inside, the other option is to do it from the outside. At a recent event on aesthetic medicine at the Saxon Hotel, leading aesthetic medicine practitioner Dr. Anushka Reddy spoke to us about the various options available when it comes to halting the ageing process in its tracks. Most of us have heard about non-invasive procedures such as Botox and fillers to alter the appearance of the skin and make it look more youthful. Dr. Reddy also introduced us to a more recent procedure: a thread lift. Threads are inserted into the skin in specific areas. These stimulate collagen production and the face is lifted as a result. This procedure is painless and can be performed easily and quickly by a skilled practitioner - Dr. Reddy did a demonstration for us on the day. Like Botox and fillers, there is no recovery time and the results are noticeable and contribute significantly towards a younger-looking appearance. 

Dr. Anushka Reddy

In recent years, the use of non-invasive and non-surgical means of maintaining a youthful appearance have skyrocketed in popularity. Getting Botox is literally as easy as popping to your doctor in your lunch-break with noticeable results very soon after. Why age when it is simply easier to choose the alternative? Of course, for some individuals, the idea of injecting a toxin into your skin or any means of delaying the ageing process is objectionable. 

Dr. Reddy performing a thread lift

So the question remains: to age or not to age? Each individual will have a different answer and the current trends are reflective of this. In fact, we are divided on this topic: Alan chooses the 'natural ageing' route while Krishen is not at all opposed to a bit of help here and there. Whatever you choose to do, make an informed decision and do it in the healthiest possible way. After all, you are only ever as young (or old) as you feel. 

OUT & ABOUT - Spitz Winter 2015 Launch - Rosebank - Johannesburg

We attended the launch of the new Winter 2015 range at the Spitz store in Rosebank.  As this video clearly shows, Krishen's attempt to convince Alan he needed a pair of sneakers was quite in vain.  Alan is far too set in his ways - much preferring to stick to his trusty loafers!

IN CONVO - with LeAnne Dlamini

LeAnne Dlamini leads an incredibly busy life. Striking the balance between super-mom and upcoming superstar is not always as glamorous or easy as she makes it out to be. But LeAnne is loving every minute. What we're instantly struck by when we meet LeAnne to chat to her is that she is incredibly easy-going and always smiling. She radiates a quiet confidence and the conviction of an individual building the life of her dreams. Throw in an ability to chat about a diverse range of topics and you've got an instant blend of celebrity charm with a definite sense of an individual with both feet firmly on the ground.

LeAnne first captured the world's attention when she wowed audiences with her audition on the X Factor UK back in 2012. LeAnne's moving rendition of the Alicia Keys song 'If I Ain't Got You' brought the audience to their feet and was praised by judges. Almost symbolic of LeAnne's ability to straddle the worlds of parenting and stardom, her daughter joined her on stage at the end. Her husband was supporting her from the wings: a beautiful image of a family woman continuing to pursue her dreams and allowing her talents to be heard.

We were incredibly excited to catch up with LeAnne shortly after her visit to Los Angeles; she was shooting a new music video for a single from her upcoming album and managed to squeeze in a visit to the Grammy Awards too. We were following LeAnne's L.A. journey with great fervor on social media: to catch all the envy-inducing moments (such as seeing Naomi Campbell in a Beverley Hills make-up store). 'I love going to the States,' LeAnne explains, 'and it was great working on my new music video there. They have dedicated styling teams to capture the look you are going for precisely. I wanted to update my look with a new hairstyle to make it fresher. I had great fun working on the music video.' And who can blame her? Jetting to L.A. and working with a cutting-edge team to produce a slick music video must be great fun - it certainly puts LeAnne a cut above other SA talents. But when LeAnne gets back home, she easily slips back into her domestic routines without missing a beat; before our interview, she had attended her daughter's school for a ceremony marking Ash Wednesday.

And about the Grammy's? 'I was so excited to attend. I had to get a dress that day, it all happened so quickly.' LeAnne settled on a fabulous white BCBG Max Azria dress which she wore effortlessly. 'The energy was amazing - seeing legends such as Paul McCartney up on stage was a crazy experience.' LeAnne also had a chance to see a favorite of hers, Beyonce, perform a moving gospel standard. She shared that she definitely aims to attend the ceremony as one of nominees at some point. 'That's definitely one of my dreams.' Judging by LeAnne's go-getter nature, that may happen sooner than we think. 

LeAnne will soon be jetting off to Dubai along with Shashi Naidoo, Tumi Vorster and Lorinda Voges. and we simply cannot wait to see the magical journey! Watch the video to catch some snippets of the hilarious convo we had while chatting to LeAnne.

SAFW S/S 15 - Gert-Johan Coetzee

Without a doubt the most talked about show at the recent SA Fashion Week was the off-site, 'by invitation-only' Gert-Johan Coetzee show held at 54 On Bath.  The event included a celeb-filled catwalk, a revolving stage and a 60-piece choir accompanying Louise Carver.  We were blown away by the spectacle of it all and the new Spring/Summer GJC range lived up to all expectations.

One of the things that really contributes to the impact of a Gert-Johan Coetzee collection is the thought that goes into creating each range, not only from a design point of view but also from a conceptual and inspirational angle.  This collection was dedicated to the mothers and daughters of Africa, with particular emphasis on their vulnerability, beauty and strength.  The catalyst for this inspiration was the 15 year old Nobel Peace prize winner Malala Yousafzay who survived a Taliban bullet to the head in reaction to her outspoken struggle for the right of young Pakistani girls to receive education.

Gert-Johan Coetzee muse, Thando Hopa, opened and closed
the show in showstopping full length gowns

Gert-Johan Coetzee brought this closer to home by looking at African woman and the struggles they endure - among them his muse Thando Hopa who juggles international modelling assignments with a challenging legal career while being an outspoken activist for albinism awareness.

This is a continuation of the socially aware themes of past collections - each highlighting issues such as HIV awareness, violence against women and breast cancer awareness,  adding to Gert-Johan Coetzee's position as a designer who proves 'Fashion Can Care'.

The use of contrasting motifs of spiky thorns and butterflies
aptly portrayed the vulnerability and strength of
African mothers and daughters

Red was the signature colour for the range and garments veered
from curvy to flowy, with shapes to compliment every
body shape

The ready-to-wear range was specifically designed to be wearable from
the tail-end of summer into winter 2015

In an industry rife with designers who have great creative ideas but very little experience when it comes to production and retail, it was of particular interest to us that the entire Spring/Summer 2015 collection showcased at 54 On Bath was available for purchase online via Spree.co.za the minute the show ended.  This proves Gert-Johan Coetzee's commitment to making fashion accessible to the public and in so doing breaking through the myth that fashion can only be seen on the runway.

For a peak of what went down during the Gert-Johan Coetzee Spring/Summer 2015 show at 54 On Bath: