Mercedes Benz Fashion week Cape Town

Mercedes Benz Fashion week and African Fashion international hosted yet another successful fashion week. See my latest report for Bizcommunity!

Below are some designer highlights and my favourites:

Gavin Rajah
Gavin Rajah's range was a showcase of craftsmanship and attention to detail. He sports 3 - D laser flowers delicately laid over lace.The fabrics were a play of satins, sequins, chiffons, silks, and even leather! There were silhouettes for everyone - tunics, soft blouses,  and off the shoulder tops maxi dress, flowy dresses, capes, oversized bows, etc. The range was nothing short of feminine power, with a strong renaissance feel.
 


Droomer
Cleo Droomer showed a refreshing, sleek range of sporty luxwear. The range showed lux fabrics in soft suiting covered by parka jackets and bombers. Wide leg trousers included palazzo pants and culottes, finished off with soft trenches and floaty dresses.

 

Habits by Jenny Le Roux
Jenny showed off easy floaty silhouttes - maxy dresses and skirts, wide leg trousers, and fabrics included velours, and  printed chiffons
  


David Tlale
David had his show at exclusive venue which was 'by invitation only' in beautiful Cape town and had a casino feel, with beautiful interiors inclusive of chandeliers, wooden window frames, ceiling decorations,  chandeliers and   roulette boards. Models were  dressed in his jockey underwear with feather bowers as you enter the second floor.
 

Mille Collines
The range is true to the duo's ethos and reminiscent of the Swahili culture, with fluid and floaty silhouettes in lightweight fabrics inclusive of viscoses, in Japanese inspired prints.  Muted tones of greys and silvers were highlighted with cobalts and sunny yellows! I also enjoyed the accessories which included beautiful hats and capes.
 

Fashion Revolution
Fashion revolution is a movement that creates awareness of issues relating to fashion and  more ethical fashion solutions. It allows customers to be aware of where their clothes are made. Designers included - The Joinery, Thabo Makwera Imprint, etc.

The Joinery showed oversized statement hats and animal prints, with palettes of browns and greys.

Thabo Makwera's range was reminiscent of the Basotho traditional blankets warn by tribes in Lesotho. It was beautiful styled n formal jackets laid over fitted dress and handmade beads.

Imprint showcased a beautiful range of mixed geometric prints in reds, and blues with white backgrounds. The silhouettes were feminine taken from the 60's and 70's. All fabrics were printed locally with sustainable fabrics inclusive of linens and cottons said designer Mzukisi.

Taibo Bacar
Taibo's range celebrates his native Mozambique, and the use of bronzes, golds, rusts, laid on beautiful feminine floaty silhouettes and traditional prints, shows off his mastery in design. The attention to detal and exceptional craftmanship is amazing. What an exceptional close to the first day.
 

Day 2 also showcased an amazing line up and my favourites were as follows:

Quiteria and George
This duo is better known for designing the Miss SA evening range, displayed beautiful bespoke occasionwear. The strong black range featured silhouettes embracing feminine shapes such as mermaid skirts, fitted waist details, sheer skirt, puffed sleeves etc, and details such as ruffles, black embellishment and fabric such  velvets, tulles, satins, silks and sequins.
 

Vernac
Vernac showed a range with very strong fabric manipulation and included 3D embossing of furs, tie dye, quilting, patching, laser cutting, and fraying the amazing use of denims and different treatment of denims is reminiscent of more modern versions of 90s grunge denims. Somehow the styling had a nomadic feel, with fur lined trenches, military coats, bombers, parka's and blanket wraps. Although his range was exceptional, his proposal to his girlfriend is what really stole the show!
 



Craig Port
Craig's range was very feminine, fun, and had a 50's feel. Models were dancing on the ramp and enjoying the range as much as we did. He made use of metallic fabrics, foiled prints, golds, jacquard's and palazzo trousers pleated on the waist as well as shirts with side openings. fabrics includes silks, chiffon's, jacquard's, in floaty shapes, such as trapeze dresses, palazzo trousers, A-line and dirndl skits, and wrap dresses. Colours were neutrals with highlights of yellow, melon and jade.
 

Stefania Moreland
Stefania's range was remminsicent of Spain and I imagined Frida Kahlo being an excellent muse.  Her fabric included beauful floral printed silk chiffons layered over satins, velours, with feminine details such as fine ruffles, embroidery, bows, applique etc. The finale dress was a showstopper with a Spanish bride, in the traditional headgewar of flowers. Amazing!
 

Maxhosa by Laduma
Laduma is a master of African prints. This range was probably one of the strogest winter looking ranges and the foundation of the range was printed knits. Altough the prints were mixed the range was very cohesive. Ladies wore knit sets inclusive of cardigns and skirt sets and dresses and men sported jumpers and cardis teamed with trackants. Interesting details such as fringed beaded brooches were pinned onto the side of mens trousers. Colours varied from milks, rusts, browns and blacks with highlights of yellow, blues and aqua.
 

Carducci
Synonumous to the brand, Carducci showed tailoring at its best. Beautifully tailored single and double breasted blasers and bombers teamed with relaxed tailored trouserd or skinner tailored trousers. Stripes as well as checks which varied from - Pringle, prince of wales and oversized, and details such as embroidery were shown on the chest and cuff areas. Quite a wide range of colour such as stones, levels of blues, and browns, and metallic were shown. Females were dressed in beautiful feminine silhouettes with structured blazers.