Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Joburg
Catwalk Highlights
Show Schedule (Photo courtesy of MB Fashion Week Joburg) Click to enlarge
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - Have a look at the catwalk highlights from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Joburg (#MBFWJ), one of Africa's biggest fashion events, that took place from 5 to 7 March 2015 at the trendy Melrose Arch.
Participating designers included: Gavin Rajah, Fabiani, Caylin Wilsnach, Fatimah Patel, Mick Taute, Neo Serati, Ntabiseng Molefe, Thebe Magugu, Tsepo Tsotetsi, Leigh Schubert, Marianne Fassler, Selfi, Shana, Stefania Morland, Tart, and Tsotetsi KL.
To read more about Johannesburg, please click here.
Gavin Rajah
Photos by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
Photos by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Gavin Rajah has become a label that is synonymous with fine craftsmanship, luxurious finishes and simply the most finest fabrications available. The brand is notorious for a loyal clientele that are purveyors of couture. Couture remains his passion and the atelier is famed for producing garments for discerning clients around themworld. The success of the brand has been built on a consistent standard of workmanship and creative excellence. Every garment is made in house and only special pieces such as leather items are made out of the atelier. Largely inspired by music, theatre, literature and travel the collections are always a reflection of his experiences.
He designs and produces two eponymous couture collections, two transitional collections and two ready to wear collections a year. Most of the collections are sold to his existing client base before they even have the chance of being offered to others. The brand is renowned for collaborating with creative industries to create innovative elements for their collections. The atelier has launched a new collection ‘Prêt À Vivre’ which is geared for export to selected stockists around the world and includes an interior range and amenities for home.
The brand is known for sourcing fabrics ethically and supporting vulnerable communities. Gavin uses the profile and visibility of the brand to create awareness for child right’s issues and UNICEF. Gavin Rajah remains passionate about training and assisting young talent and continues to use his atelier to impart knowledge to young designers.
The brand continues to evolve and adapt in it’s quest to remain one of the foremost luxury brands that comes out of Africa.
Source: AFI
Top 5 looks from #MBFWJ 2015 (Photos by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo) Click to enlarge
Awards/Accolades:
- Gavin started and funded Cape Town Fashion Week, Durban Fashion Week and the Cape Town Flower Show.
- Invited by the Federation Française de la Couture to show in Paris in July 2006, which was a first for South Africa.
- Listed in Vogue Italia, January 2013 edition, as one of 30 designers to watch around the world
- Conceptualised and initiated POSI+IVE for Sun International, the largest Pan African collaboration of art, fashion and music. Collaborating with Seal and John Legend amongst others to raise money for HIV/AIDS causes.
- Appointed by the United Nations as a UNICEF Ambassador for the work he has done to uplift the lives of vulnerable communities in South Africa, joining the ranks of Roger Federer, Shakira, Ricky Martin and Angelique Kidjo in working for children’s causes.
- Listed in FinWeek as one of the top 40 most influential leaders in the South Africa.
Source: AFI
Fabiani
Photos by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
Photos by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
The Fabiani brand remains true to its legacy of sophisticated menswear, immersed in tailoring with formal handwriting details. Fabiani’s current vision is to be the “go-to” menswear retailer in South Africa for the style-conscious consumer, offering a diverse variety of menswear to the South African market. Fabiani is currently a private-label, branded menswear retailer with a fifteen-store network in most major cities in South Africa, with growth potential to all regional shopping malls in the country.
Fabiani offers a complete, trend-focussed menswear collection, inspired by true Italian styling of high quality and premium workmanship. The range is packed with signature “pops”, shining through in magenta throughout the range of garments, which magnifies the signature Fabiani flair. A thoughtful collection of traditional menswear silhouettes – ranging from tuxedos to business and fashion suits – is on offer in addition to more toned-down refined pants and sports shirts. These are all enhanced by many varieties of casual tops, classic footwear, accessories, ties and many other complimentary items for the dapper man.
Source: AFI
Caylin Wilsnach
Photo by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
Fatimah Patel
Photo by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
Mick Taute
Photos by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
Photos by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
Neo Serati
Photos by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
Ntabiseng Molefe
Photos by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
Thebe Magugu
Photos by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
Photos by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
Tsepo Tsotetsi
Photo by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
Leigh Schubert
Photos by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
Photos by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Leigh Schubert creates sophisticated ladies wear with a twist. Clean lines, texture created by pleats, ruffles or appliqués, and combinations of soft and hard whether in fabrication or treatment. The Schubert signature style is accessible, classic and always interesting.
Awards/Accolades:
2012 - Designed the opening ceremony kit for South African atheletes participating at the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics
2010 - She was hand selected as one of 10 designers to show at a once-off installation show alongside designers such as Akira Isogowa in Sydney.
2009 - The only South African designer to have shown at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week.
Source: AFI
Marianne Fassler
Photos by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
Photos by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Designer, Marianne Fassler, expresses her identity as a South African in her own idiosyncratic way. Leopard Frock is is representative of Fassler’s interpretation of the complex design milieu of Joburg, and Africa more broadly. The brand currently has two divisions, completely intertwined and equally important. She manufactures a ready-to-wear collection, which is available off the peg at the Leopard Frock retail space in Joburg, whilst also providing an exclusive, made-to-order couture service.
The Fassler signature is about fabric manipulation, crafting, and colour, unexpected juxtapositions and impeccable finish and fit, with a fresh approach and interpretation of popular fashion themes – in other words, Fassler is dedicated to putting a fresh twist on old classics.
Awards/Accolades:
2014 - AFI Designer of the Year
2014 - Nominated for Design Indaba’s 2014 Most Beautiful Object in SA
2013 - Showcased a “trash to treasure” collection at La Ferme du Buisson in Paris. This conceptual performance piece was originally commissioned to premiere at the Lyon Dance Biennale in September 2012 and is currently travelling internationally.
2011- Represented at the 10th Triennale, Materials Revisited, at the Museum fur Angewandte Kunst in Frankfurt, Germany
2010 - AFI Fashion Award for Exceptional Contribution to Fashion in Africa
Source: AFI
Selfi
Photos by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
Photos by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Selfi is a ready-to-wear women’s clothing brand based in Cape Town. The brand was created in 2009 by fashion designer Celeste Lee Arendse. Selfi ensembles exude a playful, yet sophisticated and cool elegance that tends to enhance the natural beauty of any women. Attention is paid to the manipulation of form, print and colour which are all used to create ready-to-wear pieces that ensure comfort and style.
Selfi Autumn/ Winter 2015 has a strong digital-print focus and is specifically inspired by 20th century russian artists, like Kazimir Malevich, for colour inspiration and shapes which are birthed from the ‘Suprematism’ art movement. Baby pink, royal blue and red embossed on fine lined blocked prints make up our colour palette, while floating hands and abstract images of the ‘self’ have inspired the shapes used. Style details include boxy shaped crop tops with over the knee pencil and flare skirts, polo neck jumpers, and baseball tailored jackets. Hemlines are over the knee, taking us back to a sporty 40s and 90s feel.
Awards/Accolades:
2014 - Young Entrepreneur competition winner in connection with South Africa and the British Council - Winners won a trip to London and were given access to fashion industry related events: London Fashion Week, showrooms, designer studio visits, museums, and attended workshops and design related talks.
Source: AFI
Shana
Photos by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
Photos by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Shana is collaboration between Shana Morland and Robbi Gorelick, which started in 2011. The label is based on quality as well as producing garments that are trendy whilst retain a classic element. Their range can be found at Cloth and Steel in Kloof Street, Cape Town.
All garments are made locally with an emphasis on good construction techniques and design, resulting in great timeless pieces. The fabrics are sourced both locally and internationally, and every step is taken to ensure they are as natural as possible. Fabric is extremely important to us and it is this feature that gives the label a superior quality. All prints are either hand printed or screen-printed, with the highest-grade quality, ensuring that the prints are long-lasting and can withstand harsh treatment.
Awards/Accolades:
2015 – Third show at AFI Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
Source: AFI
Stefania Morland
Photos by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
Photos by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Stefania Morland is dedicated to personal service and attention to detail. Her intimate high-end fashion store and studio, which opened in 2005, has grown and evolved, while staying true to the original design ethos: unique, playful pieces that remain classic and timeless.
"At Stefania Morland we value all things beautiful, both obvious and discreet. We believe in fashion as a channel of intuitive expression. We believe in quality. We believe that everyone has a style identity unique to their own personality. We believe it is an extension of their inner creative self. At Stefania Morland we promise exclusivity, attention and assistance. It is our mission to produce thoughtful, functional and provocative quality garments that meet our customers’ needs, while remaining true to our own aesthetic philosophy. We passionately instill beauty, quality and function into each and every design."
Stefania Morland is known for layering pieces and expertly constructed garments that can be worn in more than one way, creating a complex look that allows our clients freedom and creativity of expression. The brand uses only the finest hand-selected natural fibers sourced from around the world, each garment skillfully crafted with specific attention to construction techniques and accentuated detail, creating truly distinctive clothing for people who respect and celebrate life.
Awards/Accolades:
2009 – Audi Most Aligned Fashion Brand
Source: AFI
Tart
Photos by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
Photos by Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Tart is a Cape Town based ladies’ wear brand established in 2001 by designer, Cari Stephenson. Tart clothing strives to be the label of choice for women who lead active, enquiring lives and are looking for simple, fuss-free pieces to slip on and go. With the energetic spirit of the brand always at the forefront of our design, Tart pieces transcend seasonal barriers and provide comfort while never compromising on style. Although the brand is always current, it is not trend driven and each piece has the potential to become a wardrobe staple. Tart aims to be commercially accessible, with quality, style and affordability as key factors in garment production. Tart is proudly South African and all items are produced locally – both in-house and through CMT.
Although Tart has its roots in the tee-shirt, the brand has evolved to include all aspects of leisure wear. Simple silhouettes and cleanly cut, soft jersey knits are the cornerstone of each range. Dresses are a staple of the Tart look, with fit, ease and wearability at the heart of each design. Tart dresses incorporate inner support and linings so that the wearer feels as good as she looks. Tart clothing fuses a sport lux approach with signature in-house-designed prints to create collections that stand out from the crowd.
Awards/Accolades:
2012: Solange Knowles chooses to wear Tart on the cover of Elle Magazine SA (November)
Source: AFI
Tsotetsi KL
Video courtesy of AFI
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Tsotetsi KL (TKL) is the label of 2013 AFI FastrackTM finalist, Khothatso Tsotetsi. It is what Khothatso refers to as a “high-fashion closet” that specialises in designer ensembles for women. TKL’s main vision is to carry through the importance of well-fitting garments and to encourage young women to embrace high-end, constructed pieces. As the brand grows, it strives to attain pure chic and sophistication through precision and quality. The TKL mission is to serve distinguished women who truly value tailoring, quality and style.
Tsotetsi KL’s high-quality garments are explorations of fabric, colour, silhouette and texture to achieve a variety of looks. The brand’s signature engineered skirts are both feminine and edgy. Sheer fabrics such as mesh, chiffon, silk and lace make for a chic, refined look throughout.
Source: AFI
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