Click here for the photos and video highlights from South Africa Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2016, Day 1. This year’s event was held from April 5th-9th in Johannesburg.
ANMARI HONIBALL
Anmari grew up in the historical diamond town of Kimberley. She studied Fine Art at the University of the Free State, specialising in painting. After completing her Diploma she studied fashion design at the Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion Design, at Stellenbosch. In 2011, she moved to Johannesburg for mentorship under Marianne Fassler and was then her assistant for two years. She participated in Design Indaba 2011, as an emerging creative, and in 2012 was selected as a finalist for the Elle New Rising Star Design Awards hosted by ELLE Magazine and Mr Price. In April 2013, she showed her first women’s wear collection at SA Fashion Week and was awarded winner of the Lufthansa First Best Collections. In September 2013 she was selected as a finalist for the Renault New Talent Search hosted by SA Fashion week. Currently she works under her own label ANMARI HONIBALL, producing locally made womenswear.
WITH
The face behind “WITH” is Johannesburg-born Dean Charles Hauptfleisch. While working abroad, Dean’s interest in the power of design was ignited by Copenhagen’s fashion culture. Upon winning the ELLE/LISOF bursary, Dean returned to South Africa and completed his BA in Fashion Design in 2014. He won the SAFW Student Competition, as well as best Avant-Garde collection during his graduation year. In 2015, “WITH” won the SA Fashion Week Sunglass Hut New Talent Search. WITH embraces Victor Turner’s theory of liminality: between categories. This concept is reflected in WITH’s design aesthetic, which occupies the spaces between maximalism/minimalism and status/statuslessness. With the consumer in mind, and through complex pattern making and unique construction methods, WITH finds balance in difference and harmony in juxtaposition.
ERRE
ERRE (pronounced “air) proposes a new kind of power-dressing that explorers the confident side of being feminine rather than mimicking its Eighties version of shoulder pads and overtly masculine tailoring. The ERRE woman is a style-savvy and sophisticated career woman, who needs a flexible wardrobe that effortlessly meets the needs of her multifaceted lifestyle, by giving her a high-end range of powerful and exquisitely constructed garments.
INSPIRATION
Combining Carina Louw’s passion for structure and Natasha Jaume’s love of drape and fluidity, the focus is on beautifully made investment pieces that can be worn both on and off duty. The new ERRE Curve range has been developed because of the brand’s commitment to providing flattering garments in a variety of shapes and sizes. It caters for full figured women with some styles going up to size 48.
SIES!ISABELLE
‘I create timeless clothing; that makes my muse feel beautiful, dressing her in clothing that is both flattering to her body shape and easy to wear, that compliments rather than eclipses her.’ SIES!Isabelle was established in 2006 by Isabelle Lotter and launched at SA Fashion Week in 2009. It has since evolved into a spirited and creative brand that provides loyal customers with fresh styles. Continuity and quality are fundamental; presenting a collection that embodies luxury over ephemeral, adding shine to life. ‘Wonderer’ is a collection of fabric sculptures wafting in the sea breeze. My muse runs barefoot along the beach away from urban life, away from reality into a fantasy world where she can dress in silks and dance to the rhythm of the ocean. I played with the contrast between luxurious fabrics and deconstruction; almost grunge but still feminine.’ Accessories by Wild Charm compliment the Magpie- esque nature of nomadic life; transforming found objects into jewels. Assistant designer Zumae Bothma #SIESzumae, who’s design language compliments Isabelle’s beauty bringing a fresh edge to this playful collection, is introduced. This season also saw the launch of #SIESman. ‘South Africa sits at the tip of a culturally rich continent with access to a huge pool of talented craftsmen and -women. Before the rise of the industrial Far East, we used to boast many successful fabric mills and production houses. Our bodies do not fit the Chinese, European or American mould and we have been forced to feel shame rather than celebrate being healthy human beings. Our sense of style and ethnic signatures has been appropriated the world over, yet we still flock to support cheap, badly made Western fast fashion. We need to change our own narrative and stop allowing ourselves to be exploited. We have the power to unite the local fashion industry and ignite a revolution to radically change the way we think about clothing.’
KEYS FASHION
Growing up in Johannesburg, Ryan Keys fell in love with fashion. As a young boy, he would help his mother choose her outfits at any given opportunity. Today, Ryan’s passion is fuelled by the desire to satisfy South Africa’s ever-increasing appetite for exquisite, stylish garments. He sources fine materials and delicate embroideries from all over the world in order to create pieces that are unique as well as timeless.
RUBICON
Since its establishment in 2002, the Johannesburg based Rubicon brand has become one of Gauteng’s most desirable fashion destinations for women with a worldliness inspired mind-set. Rubicon Clothing embodies effortless style, form-flattering sophistication, tailored craftsmanship and timeless design. Founder and Creative Director, Hangwani Nengovhela, personifies the brand perfectly, bringing a subtle African opulence to each collection and continued commitment to design excellence. The brand celebrates thirteen years of unparalleled femininity and South African discernment.
RUBICON
Photocredit: South Africa Fashion Week
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