The long awaited fashion-forward sportswear range for men and women known as Kwanda Klothing was officially unveiled on 19 November 2009 at the prestigious Sandton Convention Centre...
The long awaited fashion-forward sportswear range for men and women known as Kwanda Klothing was officially unveiled on 19 November 2009 at the prestigious Sandton Convention Centre.
Kwanda Klothing was developed during Kwanda – Communities with Soul, the first ever community makeover TV show that is currently broadcasted on SABC1 on Wednesday evenings at 9pm. This innovative approach to fashion and development has been created for sustainable job creation which will endure beyond the television series.
The production of all Kwanda Klothing is done by facilities set up in five South African communities. A team of six recent fashion graduates, under the guidance of Selven O’Keef Jarmon, Creative Director of Kwanda Klothing, is dedicated to one of the Kwanda communities to ensure that the production follows the design and provide expertise.
Kwanda Klothing is produced in the following communities:
Pefferville, near East London, Eastern Cape
Mthwalume, near Port Shepstone, KZN
Tjakastad, near Barberton, Mpumalanga
Lephephane, near Tzaneen, Limpopo
Kwakwatsi, near Sasolburg, Free State
“The collection is contemporary with an urban feel that is influenced by the modern take on hip-hop culture. There is a lot of hands-on components such as dyed fabrics which we do ourselves. The collection evolves easily into cocktail hour and most of the pieces can fit very well with other pieces in ones existing wardrobe. The feel is definitely South Africa with one eye on existing fashion trends in the world” says Selven.
The recent fashion graduates are Tanyiko Baloyi, Mongesi Xweso, Molefi Mohapi, Tebogo Lehlabi, Mfuneka Machu, Archie Monyepao, Sive Mbilase and leading the project is fashion designer Selven 0’ Keef Jarmon Kwanda Klothing and Kwanda tv is brought to life by the Soul City Institute in partnership with the Department of Social Development and SABC1 as well as the Department of Health, BP, MTN, DFID, CDC, Pepfar and Salga.
Designed by: Kwanda Klothing
Contact details w. http://www.kwanda.org/ fb. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kwanda/118735351447
STUNNING HAUTE COUTURE FROM EGYPTIAN LABEL SOUCHA
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Cairo-based Soucha Fashion is considered one of the leading fashion trendsetters in the region. A native of Tunisia, Soucha is a talented emerging fashion designer and graduate of the famed Academia Della Moda in Florence, Italy.
Cairo-based Soucha Fashion is considered one of the leading fashion trendsetters in the region. A native of Tunisia, Soucha is a talented emerging fashion designer and graduate of the famed Academia Della Moda in Florence, Italy. After his schooling, Soucha worked with top Italian fashion houses and eventually settled in Cairo, finding his niche dressing the celebrities of the Egyptian and Arab entertainment world with his unique creations.
In 1997 he launched his own brand and continues to lead the thriving and developing business. Today, Soucha Fashion has 20 employees, excels in impeccable couture design and manufacturing, and operates two exclusive Cairo boutiques in the Grand Hyatt Galleria and the Nile City Mall Twin Towers. Catering to the high-end of the Egyptian and Arab market, Soucha Fashion continues to expand in the region with representation and sales in major markets such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar. The company has plans for further retail growth as well as development into casual wear and accessories.
JAPANESE MONSTER MOVIE INSPIRED SHOE COLLECTION +/-
In April, PUMA introduced five limited edition sneaker styles as a tribute to classic Japanese monster movies from the 1950s – 1970s. Each style brings an iconic monster to life, highlighting its signature features with various fabrics and textures – from mirrored leather and...
In April, PUMA introduced five limited edition sneaker styles as a tribute to classic Japanese monster movies from the 1950s – 1970s. Each style brings an iconic monster to life, highlighting its signature features with various fabrics and textures – from mirrored leather and bolt hardware to reptilian embossed leather, spikes and sculpted eyerows. The tongue lining lists the monster’s ‘skills’ and the monster’s artwork is printed on the sockliner.
Iconic PUMA silhouettes such as the First Round, PUMA Mid, Clyde, and Stepper are completely transformed through meticulous design details and cinematic nostalgia. With artwork inspired by classic movie monsters like, Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah, Mecha Godzilla, and King Kong, the collection consists of five styles – Lizoid King, Moth King, Terror King, Mecha King, and Ape King.
The First Round Lizoid King is inspired by the original Godzilla, has reptile-embossed greenish leather and a sculpted eyerow. Spiked rubber scale details protrude from the collar, along with Godzilla-like eyeball in the place of the FOT (on the heel)
The Clyde Moth King based on the classic movie monster Mothra, has a colourful upper with an embroidered graphic inspired by Mothra’s wings. This combined with faux pony fur used on the formstrip, vamp, and eyerow creates a rich look. There is a transparent moth-like eyeball detail in place of the FOT (on the heel), skill description on the tongue lining, and Moth King graphic on the sockliner.
The First Round Mecha King is based on Mechagodzilla. The shoe is designed with mirrored leather on the upper, complete with bolt hardware that mimics Mecha Godzilla’s metal robotic frame. Bolts are also embossed in the midsole, with a transparent ice outsole that reveals a graphic print on the bottom. A clear triangular piece of plastic used for the FOT mimics Mecha Godzilla’s eye.
The last style, but certainly not the least, is the PUMA Mid Ape King. Based on the well-known King Kong, the shoe uses furry faux pony hair on the upper that mimics King Kong’s furry body. Cuts in the material reveal red pops underneath, as if it’s been slashed. Textured leather is used on the formstrip, vamp, and eyerow, inspired by King Kong’s skin.
Contact details t. +27 (21) 422 2888 or (021) 551 0832 w. www.astoreisgood.com or www.puma.com
MERCEDES-BENZ SA AWARD FOR FASHION DESIGN 2009 +/-
Mercedes-Benz South Africa presents an annual award for the arts and fashion design was the focus for 2009. This year’s winner is the Johannesburg label, Black Coffee, represented by Jacques van der Watt and Danica Lepen. A Special Mentioning was given to Craig Native...
Mercedes-Benz South Africa presents an annual award for the arts and fashion design was the focus for 2009. This year’s winner is the Johannesburg label, Black Coffee, represented by Jacques van der Watt and Danica Lepen. A Special Mentioning was given to Craig Native from Cape Town. Further finalists were Cape Townians Abigail Betz, Stiaan Louw, Themba Mngomezulu for Darkie Clothing and Maya Prass, and from Johannesburg, Palesa Mokubung for Mantsho, and David Tlale.
The first international showing of the clothing designs from the group of finalists starts on
27 March 2009 at Daimler Contemporary, Haus Huth in Berlin.
Based on detailed research regarding the developments in the South African fashion scene, an adjudication panel including renowned experts from the various South African provinces who nominated eight young design talents between the ages of 28 to 40. The designers were given the task to create a collection of five outfits focussing on the theme: ‘Modern South Africa.’
Images: Black Coffee’s winning collection is inspired by contemporary art trends with a strong focus on concept, cut and material.
Cape Town-based fashion designer, Stiaan Louw, is delving into male iconography, reflecting on a somewhat elusive and constantly shifting modern sexuality, which is redefining itself through the archetypes it seeks to dispel.
Cape Town-based fashion designer, Stiaan Louw, is delving into male iconography, reflecting on a somewhat elusive and constantly shifting modern sexuality, which is redefining itself through the archetypes it seeks to dispel.
‘Machismo’ is reconstructed through emasculated stereotypes as men harness their virility through their increased sexual objectification. Androgyny has bridged the once stark contrast between ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’ with sexual orientation no longer conventionally reflected by the clothes we choose to wear.
Louw’s Winter 2009 collection leaves little unexplored – Mexican wrestlers, bondage and fetishism, medieval armour, themes of nudity and suggestiveness, narcissism – in romanticising a reinvented ‘ideal’ of same-sexuality.
Images: Stiaan Louw’s Winter 2009 collection. Photos by Simon Deiner
