SOUTH AFRICA FASHION WEEKSpring Summer 2022 Part 2

 

Image Credit South Africa Fashion Week and Participating Designers’ Instagram

 

Clashing colours, complimentary colours, colour-blocking, vivid patterning … most collections exploded with colour and the offerings for Spring Summer 2022 couldn’t have been more vibrantly presented. Chartreuse, shocking pink, tangerine, lavender and all the different hues of blue – from seasonal stalwart denim to classic royal blue – jostled for position alongside dreamy pastels and the odd accent of black and white. Menswear was easily as colorful as womenswear this season, many ranges boasted expertly layering and pieces were interchangeable and often ‘unisex’. There was more than a flavour of the avant-garde! Clever garment design, asymmetry, intricate surface details and exaggerated features were ever- present. Sleeves, in particular, were a focus and came in the most fantastical, oversized shapes.

BEHIND THE SCENES:

HAIR, BEAUTY AND ACCESSORIES

The beauty wizards conjured up spectacular make-up looks from the stables of MAC – vibrant and bold, to complement the strong runway collections. Vivid eye shades, bright lips and metallic accents worked their magic alongside the bright collections.

Accessories complemented the looks – bucket-shaped hats, sculptural straw hats and artfully shaped head pieces gave ensembles an added dimension. Patterned ankle socks peeking out from sandals or bright trainers, platform shoes, super pointy stiletto kitten heel boots, strappy nude sandals and sturdy flat brogues all vied for attention as models strutted their stuff. Head scarves were tied nonchalantly 60s style, hand-crafted padded and embroidered handbags, clutch bags and tote bags were swinging from arms.

 

THE AUDIENCE, THE STREETSTYLE AND THE FASHIONISTAS

‘Dressed to kill’ springs to mind when looking at the front rows at the fashion shows! Inspired fashion choices were to be spotted all over as fashionistas sipped their champagne before the shows in the glamorous Mall of Africa’s foyer. Johannesburg is a world city famous for its love of fashion with its numerous shopping malls filled with boutique clothing – it was a given that South Africa Fashion Week Spring Summer 2022 would be no exception!

Here’s a snapshot of the après fashion and the fashionably-inspired crowd who attended the shows.

 

THE DESIGNERS

AMANDA LAIRD CHERRY

Queen of garment design and construction with its unexpected avant-garde twists, Amanda Laird Cherry is a stalwart on the local fashion scene. Her Spring Summer 2022 offerings are stunningly vibrant and considered, the colour palette simply delicious and the silhouettes totally inspiring, covetable and utterly wearable. The headpieces round off these wonderful creations beautifully.

Amanda Laird Cherry of AMANDA LAIRD CHERRY

EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.amandalairdcherry.com CONTACT: +27 31 312 2575 INSTAGRAM: @alc_woman FACEBOOK: Amanda Laird Cherry Apparel YOUTUBE: Amanda Laird Cherry Apparel

 

JUDITH ATELIER

Judith Atelier’s fantastically feminine creations with their collar and sleeve accents in dreamy-soft sorbet pastel shades, are beyond beautiful. Theatrical and romantic at the same time, they transport us to faraway places and times gone by. The Delft-inspired patterns are particularly distinctive and endearing, and so is the nod to the Eighties in the flouncy collars, plaques and sleeves.

 

MANTSHO

Palesa Mobuking’s fingerprint is very distinctive. These unforgettable creations that pay homage to the African continent and its love of colour, shape and pattern, are boldly beautiful. These are pieces – the multilayered tiered skirts, the shoulder plaque details, the scallops and pleats – for the confident woman who wants to stand out in a crowd, wearing something that oozes uniqueness, elegance and individuality.

 

BEACHCULT

Joanna Hedley’s stunning dresses effortlessly take you from the beach straight to dinner or a night on the town. Her swimwear is already a cult classic brand in South Africa and the addition of dresses to the portfolio perpetuates the beach vibe of an endless, glamorous summer. Easy to wear and ethically manufactured in Cape Town, this range is the ultimate in resortwear – whether you find yourself in Ibiza, Portofino, Cyrus or on Cape Town’s ‘never-ending summer’ Atlantic Seaboard.

 

BELHAUZEN

One of the few collections that opted to not indulge in colour per se, Belhauzen’s monochromatic black and white – with the occasional addition of plaid patterning – is, to say the least, extremely striking in its boldness and easy-to-wear simplicity. The pieces are clean-cut, elegant, effortless to combine with existing wardrobe staples and layer. They’re evidently simple to wear with a pair of white trainers, to boot, too!

 

KAYLA STAM

This collection by designer Kayla Stamboul is a symphony of dreamy pastels – lavender, sky blue and patterned peach and apricot shades – with the occasional pop of brightest chartreuse and shocking pink. With its relaxed cut palazzo pants, maxi coats, prim white shirts and tiered skirts, this is a collection that’ll happily find its way into many a working woman’s wardrobe.

 

ISABEL DE VILLIERS

Isabel de Villiers’ silhouettes are designed for the female figure of every size and shape: they’re simple, elegant and easy to wear. The empire style-lines and maxi lengths flatter most figures no end. The naïve patterning on the black garments are an artsy addition to a range that oozes sophistication and the combination of all the greens – sea green, bottle green and olive – is inspired, providing a wonderful contrast with the cerise accents.

 

NTANDO XV

This is a collection of pieces that are striking in their artisanal quality: the contrasting piping gives garments a feeling of contouring and free-flow in the pieces where the piping is extended beyond the garments. Avant-garde and nuanced, each piece is a little artwork in its own right. The combination of black and white with the addition of sage green is no less than inspired.

 

AFRIKANSWISS

It’s all about the age-old classic, denim, in Afrikanswiss’ collection. Thato Matabane’s inspired use of denim – patchworked, bleached, appliqued, topstitched and distressed – is a refreshing take on the old classic. Silhouettes, especially the shape of the trousers, are modern, contemporary, forward-looking and simply super exciting. The pop of a yellow T-shirt, red braces, a brown zip and the odd leather pocket make this a collection that shouts individuality.

 

LOXION KULCA

Trendy and easy to wear, this vivid range for men and women is another winner from the stables of this stalwart Johannesburg-based company. Bright blues, greens and neon shades rub shoulders in a collection that won’t let its wearer go unnoticed! Belts, visors, hats, moon bags and the company’s own footwear round off a collection that epitomizes Johannesburg city living and working.

 

FRANC ELIS

Unbeatable tailoring complete with combat pockets is the trademark of designer Fabrice Moyo for Franc Elis. The collection boasts an interesting colour range of blue, lavender, spring green and grey, beautifully juxtaposed with a pop of tangerine and the odd yellow accent. The monochrome ensembles are inspired, likewise, garments with tiny contrasting details like the yellow pockets on the denim blue suit work exceedingly well.

 

FLOYD AVENUE

A prominent brand on the South African menswear landscape, Floyd Avenue’s multi-faceted pieces are quirky, unique and forward-thinking. With huge attention to detail, designer Floyd Manatoane has carved out a niche for androgynous clothing with his avant-garde silhouettes. The stripes, the tie-belts, cropped culottes, hollowed-out scoop-neck tops and shirt-coats are must-have items for any individual who wants to make a fashion statement sporting this subtly theatrical and ultra-wearable brand.

 

EPHYMOL

This is menswear for the confident, the glamorous and the adventurous! Not one to shy away from making men look suave and glam, designer Ephraim Molingoane succeeds in doing just that, season after season. The black and gold combinations, the quilted shorts and cummerbunds, the PVC-look shiny surfaces and close-cut tailoring all ooze sophisticated man-about-town chic.

 

Facebook Notice for EU!
You need to login to view and post FB Comments!