OUT & ABOUT - Hyde Park Corner Rendezvous

We were recently treated to a range of afternoon festivities at Hyde Park Corner. This centre is the epitome of the ultra-sophisticated lifestyle and we were given the opportunity to sample some of the exquisite experiences available to shoppers. 

Arriving for a fabulous Hyde Park afternoon

We kicked off the afternoon with a sneak preview of the new Spring/Summer range on offer by the stylish Day Birger Et Mikkelsen store. This store caters to the fashion-forward woman of the 21st century and offers and incredibly stylish line of apparel that allows for a seamless combination of simplicity and elegance. 

The Day Birger Et Mikkelsen store adds a touch of Scandinavian Style
to Hyde Park Corner

Getting ready to preview the latest collection

We simply adore the Day Birger offering:
simple, textured, stylish

We then moved off to a delectable high tea at Tashas Le Parc. This Tashas is like none other in Johannesburg: the menu resembles a top 5-star establishment that you would expect to find in Paris or New York. While sipping GM & Ahrens bubbly and snacking on delectable macaroons, we were taken on a thrilling olfactory journey by none other than Bvlgari. Bvlgari have recently released their latest range of Le Gemme fragrances. Each fragrance of the 6 fragrances in this collection was inspired by a specific location and aims to evoke a scent memory. With names such as Amarena (Brazil), Calaluna (Sri Lanka), Ashlemah (Gems Road, Europe), Lilaia (Egypt), Maravilla (Iberian Peninsula) and Noorah (Turkey), these fragrances cause a sensory delight like no other. Each has a beautifully crafted gemstone bottle with coloured lids associated with each scent. 

Seen with Jill Grogor of Zebra Square (middle) and Michael Wilson:
The Hyde Park Corner Dream Team
as well as Taryn Louch and Alex Avgitidis (far right)

We cannot wait for the official launch of Le Gemme taking place this Wednesday at Hyde Park Corner. It promises to be simply sublime. and if the fragrances are anything to go by, we are sure not to be disappointed. 

La Gemme - the ultimate scent collection

We love these Bvlgari fragrances
(available at the Cosmetics Gallery at Hyde Park Corner)

#TREND MEN - Outfit Of The Day

With summer (thankfully) hanging around as long as it can, we continue to resist the urge to put away our colourful separates.  As long as the weather keeps up its good work, we will celebrate it.  One of our favourite colours will always be pink - and we have many items in many different hues of that colour.  

In this installment of our Outfits Of The Day series we celebrate the colour that has not always been on the receiving end of compliments in the male department until much recently.

Krishen often prefers to wear more than one item in his chosen
"colour of the day" - in this instant layering a deep pink golfer
with a lighter pink sweater.  Alan will more than often
choose opposing colours.

Those who know us well will testify we have become very well known for our
coloured trousers.  While Krishen tends to stick to coloured jeans (such as these
turquoise Dickies denims), Alan often wears coloured chinos - these pink Tommy
Hilfiger's being one of his very first purchases about ten years ago.

A well known publication recently printed an article about us
informing their readers we are often seen shopping at the
Spar in a jacket and tie.  This may certainly be true for Alan (who will more
often than not be wearing a brightly coloured repp stripe tie) rather than
Krishen - who always prefers a more casual route.

Outfit recap :

Alan 

Shirt                    Woolworths

Trousers             Tommy Hilfiger

Socks                   Happy Socks from Stuttafords

Jacket                 Markham

Tie                        Ralph Lauren

Shoes                   Louis Vuitton

Krishen

Golfer                 Polo

Sweater              Ralph Lauren

Trousers            Dickies

Shoes                  Louis Vuitton

OUT & ABOUT - Soviet Launch - Cresta - Johannesburg

Denim, denim, denim everywhere. There are certain things that simply do not go out of fashion (ever) such as the colour black and denim fabric. Although denim has undergone many transformations throughout fashion history - from labour wear to designer jeans - it is definitely coming to prominence again as a definite fashion-forward fabric. Everything to denim blazers, denim shirts, skirts, dresses and of course, jeans have been coming down international runways recently. Denim is more popular than ever before. So it seemed fitting that we were asked to wear denim to the Soviet store launch at Cresta Shopping Centre recently...

We both stuck to all denim looks for the evening:
Alan went monochromatic with a touch of formal
while Krishen kept it casual with clashing denims

International designers have used denim extensively
in recent Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter collections
Michael Kors (left), Thomas Maier (middle) and Ralph Lauren (right) 

Kevin McLennan (left), Tamerin Jardine (middle) and Michaella Russell (right)
all looked Auber-cool in effortless denim looks...

The gorgeous Miss SA, Liesl Laurie
ditched her gowns for more comfortable
figure-hugging denims accented with nude tones

Whether you choose to dress it up or down, ensure that you have a good pair of denims in your closet this Winter! We always prefer figure-hugging skinny jeans but the wider leg is definitely becoming popular. Choose the right cut for your body. Check out the new Soviet store in Cresta for some great options!

#TREND MEN - Outfit Of The Day

The two questions we are always asked; firstly, if we have unlimited wardrobe space and secondly, how we always seem to have so many designer pieces in our personal wardrobes? People are surprised when we tell them its all to do with interchanging our outfits and, although we do collectively have a few clothes, very few items other than shoes and belts are designer.

To prove this, we recently buckled under pressure from our followers to start chronicling our outfits and show how we put things together.  So here is the first in our series of Outfits Of The Day. 

When it comes to colour we are never afraid to let loose.
We assure you it is completely unintentional but we often find our
outfits co-ordinating.  To prove we are not all about designer wear,
in this outfit our shirts are from Woolworths (Alan) and Polo (Krishen),
Alan's red trousers are from Edgars while Krishen's shorts are from 
Adriaan Kuiters.

When it comes to jackets and jerseys, Alan always prefers a blazer (more often
than not in a bright colour such as this one from Markham) while Krishen
leans more towards casual attire (here sporting a bright red jersey from Edgars)

Footwear is vitally important.  Shoes finish off an elegant look.
Although we sometimes break this rule, its normally a case of
brown shoes for day-wear. Here, Krishen sports his dark brown
Louis Vuitton loafers (without socks of course) while Alan's tassel
loafers are from Zara.

Outfit recap :

Alan

Shirt and Tie     Trenery/Woolworths

Trousers             New Wave from Edgars

Socks                   Happy Socks from Stuttafords

Jacket                  Markham

Shoes                   Zara

Krishen

Shirt                    Polo

Shorts                Adriaan Kuiters

Cardigan           Edgars

Shoes                  Louis Vuitton

OUT & ABOUT - The KISUA Pop-Up Store Goes Global

At one point the opening of the Kisua Pop-Up store in Melrose Arch resembled a high street sale. Invited guests at the launch were told they could choose an item from the KISUA collection and take it home. You can image the excitement.  Even our very own Krishen Samuel couldn't resist the temptation.  But the launch was not all - in fact it was only the tip of the iceberg.

The KISUA collection is completely designed and manufactured in South Africa using locally sourced fabrics and is entirely African produced and is becoming renowned as one of the world's top online fashion platforms. Now, not only is the Pop-Up store creating more awareness but, thanks to a stunning collaboration between KISUA and the Italian contemporary brand 8, the KISUA pop up store was launched online at YOOX.COM

The Sika kimono coat, with its graphic black and white print,
 makes for the perfect throw over.

The Mbali cropped jacket (left) has a distinctly 60s feel
while the Nala houndstooth dress celebrates Africa
thanks to its Ghanaian print.

We were thrilled to meet our friend and KISUA mentor, Sam Mensah, at the
opening of the pop-up store.

Zuraida Jardine and Penny Lebyane couldn't wait
to change into their new KISUA outfits.

Krishen chose to wear his new KISUA top at one of our
recent "Outfit Of The Day" shoots.

Many have come to know KISUA thanks to the patronage of
none other than Beyonce herself.  Beyonce has been seen out
and about in more than one KISUA outfit.

KISUA for 8 leads a new wave of cross-continental fashion collaborations that are proving pivotal in the ethical development of clothing across Africa while defining a new global style bringing together Italian elegance with African textiles and techniques.

Visit kisua.com or yoox.com to experience this stunning collab