Sunday, November 24, 2013

Designer Collection by Busby Leather adds Logo Range


The recently launched Designer Collection by Busby Leather will introduce the Logo Range to its core collection before the end of the year. Launched in November 2013, the Designer Collection sees the addition of handbags and purses differentiated by material and price points. The Logo Range will launch in all Frasers and leading luggage and lifestyle stores from January 2014 ...

Barrel bag, R1 999
 A barrel handbag, shopper handbag and three purse styles make up the supplementary line, with each exclusive Logo Range piece retaining the quality and craftsmanship associated with Busby and its Designer Collection. The handbags and purses exhibit the same beautifully designed inner detail, including branded lining, as found in the original pieces. Although the signature gold hardware makes a reappearance, the new Logo Range sees the addition of striking silver signature hardware. 
Zip Round, Tri-fold and Bi-fold purses, R599 each


A key differentiating factor lies in the material of the pieces. Rather than an all-leather design, the newer pieces are made from PVC with leather trims. Different colours, including sophisticated cream, brown and grey shades, have also been introduced to ensure newness and relevance. The Logo Range pieces are further distinguished by relatively lower price points.
East-West Shopper (Left) and North-South Shopper (Right), R1 699 each

Introducing the Autumn 2014 Guess Collection


GUESS, the American lifestyle brand famous for its trend-setting denim and unforgettable campaigns, will be introducing a women’s and men’s collection inspired by Western motifs, that weaves new directions in denim designs for fall 2014. The combination of unique textures and novel trimmings sets this collection apart, offering functional pieces with true aesthetic value ...


For women, interesting details are key this season, with lace-insets, cut-outs and zippers adding drama to everyday looks. Distinctive denim pieces dominate the fall delivery, offering embellished and distressed jeans and jumpsuits, studded jackets and pieced chambray shirts and jackets. Army-green skinny jeans with cargo pockets and camo-printed pieces define military-chic. Glossy, waxed denim in deep red, black and metallics make the perfect statement essentials. 

For the fashionista looking to spice up her wardrobe, jackets and denim in python-jacquard, floral or leopard prints are playful and can easily be dressed up or down. A suede fringe jacket and moto jackets, in denim and leather, make great layering pieces for cooler temperatures, while biker jackets, combing tweed bodies with soft leather sleeves, are equal parts sophisticated and rocker-chic. 


Vintage-Americana influences lend inspiration to the men’s collection, with distressed denim, washed out chambray shirts and denim jackets. Embroidered button downs, plaid printed denim and shirts and faded jeans compliment the Western trend. Luxe, coated denim and leather moto jackets, double-breasted cardigans and soft, velvety blazers create a modern, refined look for the style-conscious guy. The mixing of fabrics and textures in a deep red and indigo color palette adds a touch of sophistication to the men’s urban collection. 

The GUESS fall collection is set to hit South Africa from February 2014; along with an assortment of accessories including handbags, footwear, watches, eyewear, jewelry and belts and small leather goods. Featured accessories motifs this season include polka dots and chevrons. 

For more information: 

Topshop's New Collection: Running Wild


Running Wild encompasses the feeling of freedom and being on the road. Think balmy nights driving down the West coast, through the meandering deserts of Nevada, juxtaposed with a 90’s revival of the grunge-punk scene. Beaten denim is teamed with printed silk bombers. Washed floral, clashing prints and fringing are key; all mixed up with metallic flashes. White lace body-con dresses are teamed with embroidered kimonos, shirt dresses and chunky sandals are teamed with reflective sunglasses. Effortlessly cool silhouettes, lightweight fabrics and bold use of print are perfect for those long summer days.

For more information:

TOPSHOP / TOPMAN Gateway: 031 583 1333
TOPSHOP / TOPMAN Sandton City: 011 685 7070
TOPSHOP / TOPMAN V&A Waterfront: 021 419 5000 

TOPSHOP Personal Shopping at V&A Waterfront: 021 419 5934 or topshopps@edcon.co.za 

Monday, November 18, 2013

Authentic Indian Dining is about to Enter a New and Exciting Era in Durban


The launch of Jeera at Tsogo Sun’s Suncoast Towers hotel, will allow guests to explore a flavourful array of delectable authentic Indian dishes from all corners of India.

Jeera's name reflects the restaurant’s dishes distinctive flavour and aroma; and a sophisticated and appealing approach to food. The skilful cooking style, complimented by the chef’s signature blend of spices and sauces, will give each dish its own distinct regional influence and flavour ...


Sous Chef Sandren Govender
With months of consultation and testing, sous chef, Sandren Govender has created his own special blend of condiments that will meet the standards of authentic Indian cuisine connoisseurs.
Priya Naidoo, Alan Khan and Deena Naidoo
The secret of the restaurant’s kitchen is the romance of combining ancient recipes, some dating back to the 1800s, with modern delectable dishes and blend of spices, such as jeera (cumin), black pepper, cinnamon, coriander, cloves, among others. The end result is exquisite recipes — boasting stylish and wonderful flavours — that give guests a unique opportunity to explore a fusion between ancient authentic recipes and a blend of signature spices.

Jeera's  Indian-inspired main dishes boast a specially prepared and deboned lamb curry served with potatoes. All dishes are served with Jeera's  signature sambals and archer.
Kaliq Essop, Mike Jackson & Sandren Govender
Situated on the lower ground floor of Suncoast Towers hotel, a landmark deluxe property on Durban’s Golden Mile, the restaurant’s muted Indian-inspired interior sets a tranquil theme throughout. Guests are invited to unwind in the evenings amidst a tranquil environment.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Tonight's Russel Brand Show Cancelled

The first show of Russell Brand’s “Messiah Complex” SA Tour scheduled to take place tonight, Friday, 15 November 2013 at the Teatro at Montecasino has regretfully been cancelled owing to an unexpected delay that caused him to miss his flight.

'There was a technical problem with his passport and the airline did not allow him to board. The promoter has made emergency arrangements to get him to Johannesburg – but unfortunately he will be a day late. Showtime is working to replace tonights show with a performance next week. This will be advised as soon as possible. Patrons for tonights show can either get a full refund from Computicket – or hold on to their tickets until a possible replacement date is announced. If this does not happen – Computicket will fully refund on presentation from next week.' says local promoter, Tony Feldman of Showtime Management. “We apologise to Russell Brand fans for the inconvenience and for this unexpected and disappointing last minute change. This only affects tonight’s show. The remainder of the SA Tour will go ahead as scheduled.”

The sold out Messiah Complex SA Tour is scheduled for three shows at the Teatro at Montecasino on 16, 17 and 18 November and two shows at Artscape, Cape Town on Tuesday, 19 November 2013 and Wednesday, 20 November 2013.

Bollywood Icon Priyanka Chopra for the Guess Holiday 2013 Ad Campaign


This holiday season, GUESS will introduce its new advertising campaign featuring the multiple award-winning, Bollywood icon, Priyanka Chopra, appearing in the brand’s signature black and white style shot by Bryan Adams ...

Priyanka, a former Miss World, actress and recording artist, is one of the most recognized and celebrated talents in India and International cinema. 



Guided by Paul Marciano, Creative Director for GUESS? Inc., and shot by former GUESS collaborator and musician, Bryan Adams, the campaign captures Priyanka’s free-spirited glamour in a collection of signature black and white photographs. In the campaign, Priyanka portrays a movie star at home in an elegant Mediterranean villa wearing some of the season’s most stand-out dresses. 


“Priyanka’s confidence, strength and sensuality reflect the qualities I always look for in a model,” said Marciano. “Priyanka reminds me of the young Sophia Loren and the top actresses of the 1950s. With the Indian movie industry exploding on a global stage, and GUESS having a brand presence in 87 countries, we could not have found a better global brand ambassador. Choosing Priyanka reinforces our celebration of multi-talented, dynamic and accomplished women.” 

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Look for the GUESS holiday campaign in December issues of top South African fashion and lifestyle magazines.

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Elle and Blackberry Announces the 2013 Style Reporter Finalists


ELLE magazine and BlackBerry® have once again joined forces to create an amazing opportunity for young bloggers and street-style spotters to launch anonline career in the world of fashion. The search kicked off in July 2013 and is a nationwide competition to discover a young, talented creative who can report on style, capture and document the dynamic narrative of style, tell a story with a photograph, and convey a unique point of view with their writing.

The 2013 Style Reporter needs to be confident and able to communicate and report on social media platforms in an engaging and intelligent way...


BlackBerry’s decision to collaborate with ELLE for a second year on developing South African talent allows the finalists the opportunity to develop their skills on feature-rich smartphones, and provides the next fashion reporter with the stylish and innovative technology needed to launch a career in this fast-changing and social media-driven age. 

To enter, aspiring Style Reporters were asked to create a new blog and in their first post convey street style at its most dynamic. In keeping with BlackBerry’s thinking, the brief asked for entrants to capture ‘Fashion on the Move’ and show how it moves them personally, drawing on their creative ability and fashion knowledge. Entries closed 18 September and the 2013 panel of judges had the difficult decision of first selecting 18 semi-finalists, before editing it down to 7 finalists. ELLE editor, Jackie Burger, says of this year’s finalists: ‘They certainly have a strong point of view, a good visual narrative, innovative lateral interpretation of the brief as well as an understanding of creating a signature blog.’

BlackBerry South Africa Brand Planning Manager, Marina Hartmann, says: ‘The entries are as diverse as the country we live in. They all captured the brief in their own distinct style and created memorable content. For our finalists, keep inspiring and stay true to who you are and stay focused on the brief. Let your surroundings inspire you!’

ELLE and BlackBerry® are proud to present the top 7 Style Reporter finalists: 

Niquita Bento, 22 
Student, Cape Town 
Blog: Neck Of The Woods: http://neckofthewoodss.tumblr.com/ 
Twitter: @xx_niquita_zz 


‘I am beyond ecstatic to have been selected as a 2013 finalist. I feel that all the work I have been involved in until now has been in preparation for this competition. Street style is self-expression. It’s personal, it’s fun, it’s reinvention and that’s what I try to convey in my work. I love finding beauty in the mundane. I want my images to be the ones people will always remember, the ones that provoke thought, tell a story and stays with you.’ 


Lebogang Tlhako, 25 
Freelance photographer, Johannesburg 
Twitter:@_bubunas 

‘As a finalist for the second year in a row I feel a sense of accomplishment to be part of this journey again. As a photography graduate, it’s my passion to capture what is genuine and what is happening on the streets of SA. I use an analogue camera, which brings a different perspective to fashion blogging. I want people to be able to connect with and relate to my work – not just now but also in the future. I love to shoot the unexpected – a great shot is when all the right elements come together in one moment: the textures, the background, the lighting and the personality.’ 


Elelwani Netshifhire, 22 
Film and television graduate, Cape Town 
Blog: http://streetarazzi.tumblr.com/ 
Twitter@lwanie 

‘I aim to capture silent stylish moments which pass by every day without being noticed or documented, and I hope people see this and walk away wanting more. For me, street style is about observing. I want to inform people through my visual reporting. This competition is a journey to grow and learn and be mentored – winning is a bonus.’ 


Kirsten Mackrill, 20 
Fine art student, Cape Town 
Blog: http://wildandoverdressed.tumblr.com/ 
Twitter@kirst`_mackrill 

‘The fashion industry is where I have always dreamed of being and to be given the opportunity by ELLE and BlackBerry® is completely overwhelming. I am extremely excited to be able to learn and grow as a fashion blogger and enthusiast. I want to be able to capture the way fashion inspires me, and communicate this to others. I want to bring a fresh take on this year’s competition.’

Themba Mbuyisa, 21 
Student, Johannesburg 
Blog: http://colourfulpain.tumblr.com/ 
Twitter@city_vibez 

‘This is the first time I’ve entered a competition like this, and as a photography student I knew this was one I couldn’t miss out on. I hope people will see the beauty in my work, and that for me it is colour, personality and facial expressions that are what tell a story. Beautiful sunlight and colours make me stop and snap – I want to capture my love of detail and showcase the importance of a considered shot and story.’ 


Kabelo Seshibe, 21 
Journalism student, Johannesburg 
Blog: http://rebellehouse.tumblr.com/ 
Twitter@rebelleRogue 

‘Street style, to me, is a form of expression. I look forward to capturing this in my Style Reporter journey. I want to capture what is relevant, the unique, the different and the significant. It’s something that can’t be imitated. I want to capture how style resonates with the individual, and what fashion says about them beyond the clothes. I look forward to capturing a reflection of my time in this competition.’ 


Thanda Kunene, 23 
Photography student, Durban 
Blog: http://theoverlocker.tumblr.com/ 
Twitter@_thanda 

‘This competition demands not only someone who has an eye for fashion and an understanding of how different art forms influence fashion, but also someone who is online-savvy and hot off the mark. My passion is to tell stories through fashion and provide a strong and unique visual voice, one that references bygone eras but in an African and modern context. Visual imagery that talks to the viewer makes me stop and snap, instead of imagery that is “perfect” or “planned”.’ 


The 2013 ELLE Style Reporter in association with BlackBerry® finalists will receive two more challenges before the final event in December 2013. In true Style Reporter fashion, they will be given tight deadlines, briefed in the context of local fashion and challenged to capture style by drawing on their influence and referencing art forms of design, architecture, art, film, music and photography and asked to convey how these art forms shape local fashion today.

Chief judge and photographer Ed Suter says: "What impressed me most about the finalists’ entries was how they brought their own identities and surroundings to their work. All of the finalists' entries have character, humour and unusual points of view. I am really looking forward to seeing how each of them respond to the challenges we set for them, and hope that none of them lose that special individualism that made an impression on me and my fellow judges."

The ELLE Style Reporter in association with BlackBerry® search aims to help grow the next generation of fashion writers in SA. Follow the super 7 finalists  journey on www.elle.co.za 

Follow #StyleReporter2013 on Twitter with @ellemagazinesa and @BlackBerry_ZA

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Dream Spell


For the latest issue of Thai fashion glossy, The Magazine, photographer Amber Gray captures Sung Hee Kim in glamorous fashions fit for royalty ... 


The Korean model gets swathed in dramatic fashions from the likes of Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and Vera Wang styled by Holly Gray.


Sung gets accessorized in standout headpieces and long gloves for one fantastic shoot. 
Makeup done by David Tibolla and hair by Cash Lawless.




 via FGR

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

New sensory experience for Soweto


Prepare to be intrigued, provoked and tantalized as Bombay Sapphire, for the very first time in South Africa, launches an initiative that supports imagination through curating local artists worldwide with the arrival of their pop-up gallery in the heart of Soweto. The Bombay Imagination Room, curated by visionary arts group Mashumi Art Projects (MAP), will pop up from November 14th at one of the most iconic places in the township, the location of the old Panyaza chisa nyama (1394 Vundla Drive in Rockville) for just 3 weeks. With the aim to reflect recognition of Soweto as an artistic and cultural hub, The Bombay Imagination Room will also give Sowetans, and visitors alike, the opportunity to interact with art in an emotive setting ...

Over this time, visitors will not only infuse themselves with internationally acclaimed works from some of the finest home grown artists, but will also enjoy a Bombay Sapphire Gin which uses only the finest botanicals created through its special Vapour Infusion process.

Bombay Sapphire is proud to be associated with such a great concept which is infused with imagination in highlighting the finest South African art,” says Leigh Hofmeyr, marketing manager for Bombay Sapphire.

Each week, a different art medium, from print and performance to photography and painters, will be showcased at the gallery in a curated exhibition — with artists of the ilk of Soweto-based and Mpumalanga-born fine artist Kenny Nkosi, internationally award-winning photographer, Jodi Bieber, and pioneering painter, David Koloane, whose works are part of a number of collections worldwide, all part of the roster.


The genres confirmed for The Bombay Imagination Room are:

Print Makers
Dr David Koloane
Bambo Sibiya
Lehlogonolo Mashaba

Painters and collagist
Loyiso Mkize
Kenny Nkosi
Pat Mautloa

Photographers
Jodi Bieber
Lungile Zaphi
Andrew Shabangu

Performance artist
Phumlani Ntuli

Video
Happy Dhlame

Each genre will be launched on Thursday nights at the artists' preview, where the following week's exhibition will be showcased. Every Saturday, The Bombay Imagination Room will host intimate Bombay Brunches where food will be paired with exciting imaginative cocktails, and Sapphire Sundays will see DJ Kenzhero play host for that last drink before a Monday.

The Bombay Imagination Room will open daily from 10:00 until 18:00 except Wednesdays.

For more on the Bombay Imagination Room:


Tuesday, November 5, 2013

First time ever in SA, Cirque Éloize’s iD to debut at Montecasino


It’s a thrilling spectacle of circus arts and urban dance never seen before in this country as Cirque Éloize’s iD heads to South Africa for the first time. Directed by Jeannot Painchaud, iD is a high-energy production, blending acrobatics, street dance and hip hop. The show opens at the Teatro at Montecasino on 14 August 2014 for a limited season. Tickets are on sale and there’s a special 20% early bird discount on the show’s top two price categories only valid until 31 January 2014 ...

Brought to South Africa by Hazel Feldman’s Showtime ManagementCirque Éloize’s iD has been enjoyed by more than 400 000 spectators in nearly 600 performances in 50 cities across the globe in 12 countries. In this show the contemporary circus world meets the world of urban dances. Set in an inner-city environment, iD explores the themes of identity, individuality and autonomy in a culture where omnipresent images cause us to lose our reference points, making us express the same values by way of different codes. The show’s energy and poetry will surpass the expectations of audiences and make iD the talk of “Jozi” in 2014. 

“The recent runaway success of the show in London says it all – this is a unique and massively exciting show for the whole family – kind of a TAP DOGS on steroids..!!!’ says Hazel Feldman.


Since the company was founded in 1993, Cirque Éloize has become a world leader in contemporary circus arts. Staging innovative productions, the company specializes in creating shows that combine circus arts with theater, dance and music in a path-breaking manner. Cirque Éloize recently partnered with Cirque du Soleil® based on a common creative vision and international entertainment appeal.


Get ready to be blown away by the mesmerizing, pulsating and captivating performances that make Cirque Éloize’s iD the not to be missed family entertainment happening of 2014. It’s like no other show ever seen before in South Africa. You don’t want to miss it!


Book now at Computicket. For further show information visit www.montecasino.co.za or www.showtime.co.za. Follow Cirque Éloize iD on Twitter @showtime_SA and Facebook /showtimemanagementsa

All images via Cirque Éloize