Are you a TOP-SHOP-PER?

London's ever so famous Topshop has landed in Cape Town. since Cape Town received the likes of Zara after JHB and Durban, we were not surprised that Topshop arrived here last too. As the over used saying goes . . . "saving the best for last." anyway, 

LOVE TOPSHOP

"topshop's make up range"

"the beautiful OTT accessories" 

we were so excited that it was like a "kid in a candy store"

"the changing rooms was my best. the fabulous wall art was just something"

"shoes were crazy - but maybe that is what is coming in. but with the assistance of a personal stylists in store, makes it extremely helpful" 

all in all the store is fabulous and great for Cape Town to have a high street fashion store such as Topshop and Topman. 

however, general overview of the actual clothes was that each garment was a statement piece. everything was very "loud", "in your face" . . . in other words, whatever you wore, would have a long lasting impression. having lived in London and fallen in-love with topshop many years ago, I was disappointed with the range that had been brought over to South Africa. don't get me wrong, there were some very nice items of clothing . . . but in general: not too impressed. 

BUT, go take a look for yourself at the Victoria and Wharf Waterfront, Cape Town.

Sassy Autumn Textures

Autumn is just around the corner and already those “wardrobe must-haves” are emerging. And with this I can only be referring to black tights. As women who like to dress to impress (let us be honest) we should actually know that our opposite sex (i.e. men are not the biggest fans of these black tights that are readily available in every store, nation wide.

However, hope is not lost, for new and fun fashion this Autumn/Winter why not dress these black tights up a bit. At out A/W 2013 fashion weeks we saw some fabulous textures strutting around. Bold, tactile, playful patterns, layers, layers and layers brimming with sequins and buttons of all sizes! Now, THIS is what I call high fashion. It is understood that we cannot walk out the house every morning like we have walked off the Milan Runway, BUT you can help yourself by on a faux fur or shaggy wool jumper to complement your black tights that you were going to wear anyways.

Still not convinced? Why not customize your clothes with some interesting buttons, bling elements and big furry trims.

JENNI BUTTON AND HILTON WEINER ANNOUNCED AS OFFICIAL FASHION PARTNERS AT THE 2013 VEUVE CLICQUOT MASTERS

Jenni Button and Hilton Weiner have been announced as the official Fashion Partners for the 2013 Veuve Clicquot Masters. A Hilton Weiner & Jenni Button Fashion Show will form part of the day’s activities, while Creative Director for the brands, Warrick Gautier, will be a judge in the Best Dressed competition for the day.

South Africa’s most glamorous polo event of the annual social calendar is set to take place for the third year running on Saturday 23rd February 2013 at Val de Vie Estate outside Cape Town.

The Jenni Button Summer 2013 collection, Journey to Marrakech, focuses on sensual modern cuts and shapes to suit the strong independent Jenni woman’s insatiable love of glamour, opulence and pleasure. Introducing exotic animal prints such as snake, leopard and crocodile in gold, silver and metallic shades, the collection is juxtaposed with splashes of colour – from bright aqua and teal, to azure blue, sea green and coral. Neutrals still form the foundation of the collection, mixed with bold geometric prints. Jenni will showcase its exclusive Couture Collection at this year’s Polo event.

The Hilton Weiner Summer 2013 Resort Collection sees the introduction of sand washed silk, reverse silk, quality linen, and leather. There is also an array of architecturally inspired prints and Bugle-cut bead embellishments that can be found on Midi and Maxi dresses and selected blouses in the women's wear collection.

The IT item in the Men's Eveningwear collection is the Superfine Wool Tuxedo with satin lapels, and the collection as a whole is underpinned by timeless pieces in superb cuts.

Veuve Clicquot Masters Cape Town, one of five international tournaments, is their first and only on the African continent. Proven a resounding success and enjoyed by SA’s glamorous elite, guests include top celebrities, fashionable socialites and avid polo lovers.

The Veuve Clicquot Masters Cape Town has grown considerably since its first year and is expected to draw in more than 1200 guests this year. Val de Vie’s world-class polo fields and luxurious club house facilities provide the ideal venue to host an event of this caliber. VIP guests can expect a day out filled with champagne, gourmet canapés, sophisticated fashion, traditional games of pétanque, pamper lounges and of course a riveting game of world class polo.

SAVE THE DATE DIARY DETAILS:

Event: Veuve Clicquot Masters Cape Town

Date: Saturday 23^rd February 2013

Venue: Val de Vie Estate (Paarl-Franschhoek Valley)

Public Tickets:

POLO CLUB ACCESS: R390 per person - includes a glass of wine and light lunch.

EQUUS VIP LOUNGE: R1, 750 per person - includes lunch and an open bar (premium brands available at a cash bar)

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Cape Town:Street Style

this last week was the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Cape Town, and what a treat it was. the whose who in the South African fashion industry was there and any Cape Town fashionista was there ready to strut his/her style.


what i like about fashion week is the vibe in the atmosphere, there is a strong sense of everyone dressing to impress, whether it is to be trendy or just "fashion forward".


 here are just a few of my fav snaps that i took whilst walking around between the shows.

love the pairing of loose garments and big heels. great.

the beautiful fashion blogger: SA Fashion Girl. wearing pastels for the upcoming spring/summer.
love the shoes!

love the button-up blouse with the blazer and wedges, great.
and the Maxi skirt is back with vengeance for spring/summer 

all these trendy lads. my fav - from left to right:
pastel jeans
coral blazer and tan trousers
bow tie (obviously) and mulberry trousers
junky knit sweater

again we see the maxi skirt. love the red lips and blond hair, matched with an electric royal blue clutch

i loved the bow tie with the accessories that it got its own picture

love the whole look! trendy!!

this guy was just a hoot! what a character with his calf length faux fur coat.

yes, this picture was taken without their consent. but i just loved their rolled up trousers and pointy shoes, paired with bright coloured cardigans.

going very pastel, in preparation for spring/summer.

again, the bright colour jeans and patterned top is going to dominate sprint/summer

we are definitely looking forward to spring/summer 12/13 and how South Africa is going to interpret the new, up and coming trends. 

Greenpoint, Cape Town

some people are just born with a natural ease to dress themselves in the morning. we are loving Miss Sarah-Jane's high-waist denims and high-tops. she matched it wonderfully with a tan weaved belt and a soft cardigan. love.

Bodissox: Fashion you can feel

introducing Bodissox, an innovative range of fashionable garments that are versatile, practical and can be worn as both an outer or under garment. yes, this may sound and look different. but is that not what fashion is about . . . standing out (in a good way, obviously). 


with a universal love for all things beautiful, a troupe of  ballet dancers brought about this unique product that is lightweight, velvety, warm and, of course, fashionable.


my mother always told me to "layer up" when it was cold. well, Bodissox allows for that extra layer without restricting your arm movements or comfort. everyone has worn stockings beneath jeans to keep those pins warm, why not do the same for your arms? 

the form fitting stocking top is made from imported fabric, 100% Polyamide, 40 Denier, and is available in a variety of colours and designs. see the website for more colours, patterns, lengths, designs and sizes - there is one for everyone.

with the joys of E-Commerce (and reliable courier services), it allows for anyone anywhere in South Africa to place an order and receive it within days.

fast info: 

• Velvet feel
• Lightweight
• Undergarment / Outer-garment
• Creates great body contour
• Tattoo without the permanence
• Warm and Fashionable
• Great for travel, yoga and gym
• Can be worn for day and night fashion
• Easy to wash and maintain

interested to know more about Bodissox? visit their website, Facebook Page, or Twitter Account. 

do you have friends that you know would like a Bodissox? why not become an agent TODAY. contact Hayley for more information: hayley@bodissox.com 

Pastel Power

some people rush to news websites as their morning dose of "worldly information", i use style.com (and the likes) to see what is new. it is now official that the pastel look is back. pastel colours are no longer associated with the plain, boring, your grandmamma, or those trying to be discrete. pastels ARE now drawing the attention. we saw the beautiful mint coloured and pastel dresses at Cannes Film Festival 2012, but pastel shades have hit the runway's and high streets with force, and every fashion magazine holds a "pastel page". 


here in South Africa we are in the midst of our Winter, but whilst doing some browsing yesterday at the mall, i couldn't believe how every store (including Pick 'n Pay clothing! eek!) held pastel coloured garments in the preparation for spring. our seasons irritably hold their "colour schemes". black/grey/brown for winter and pinks/reds/yellows for summer. BOR-ING. i am enjoying that these pastels are being introduced early on in the season and CAN be worn as a "winter look". 


here are some great pastel looks for the up and coming Spring. 

all images are taken from Style.com

word of caution: not everyone can wear pastels. 
when wearing pastels make sure you do not look like you are wearing your night-gown, or that you just walked out of an Ice-cream parlour. keep the garments simple and with light shades. you will not go wrong. 


looking to "test" out the pastel look, then Pick 'n Pay clothing have some sweet cardigans, and ZARA Durban have some beautiful jackets and skirts that will suit any skin colour and physique. Urban have even branched off from their traditional white and grey and introduced some fairly light cotton shirts. 


if not, why not. 


xo xo 

Keepthrift Clothing

today a friend of mine sent me this picture by mistake. because it was a pretty picture i didn't mind. meanwhile it was actually a dress/top that was on a beautiful girls blog: Keepthrift. as i know one of the lasses and the blog/store, i was more then happy to share my friends good fortune with you too.

Keepthrift clothing is the re-selling of beautiful, vintage, new, whimsical, and unique clothes and accessories. clothes that you do not find on a rail in a store or in any fast-fashion shop like Zara or Mr Price.

these clothes hold a story.

i am all for the Upcycling of clothes.

as Victoria Beckham writes in her book "That extra half an inch" :
Second-hand does not mean second class, as anyone who  has discovered vintage shops will know.

anyway, i wanted to show you the dress/top, so here it is. we love.

all images taken from the Keepthrift blog

the deets: party dress/top.
size: medium
price: R70
shoulder pads included? YES

for more beautiful and one of a kind garments, find Keepthrift on their blog, or Facebook page.

Sophistication gone TRENDY : 1940's Glam

this week, myself and a few friends are attending a book launch, and the theme is 40's Glamour. hmmm interesting. to help inspire my friends (and myself), i conducted some research.


to be able to understand the fashion of the time, we need to remember that it was during the World War, and in 1945 was the end of WWII....it was a time of rebuilding the past and creating the new. 


with regards to fashion, the main influences was the American Cinema and Paris Couture. namely: Christian Dior's "NEW LOOK". it was time when Christian Dior launched House of Dior. 


the best way to describe the fashion of the time is to think of being conservative, but sexy.  Dior's "New Look" was soft, embracing femininity but, creating a silhouette tailored look. it was very chic and stylish. 
the key elements were: 

• longer skirts : mid-calf length
• mid phase between full skirts and pencil skirts
• garments fitted in the waist 
• rounded, soft, shoulders
• low cut tops
• short gloves
• smaller hats 
• pearls
• tailored suits
• fitted jackets
• shirt-dresses
• clutch purses
• and down-right GLAMOROUS 

i like to think of it as sophistication gone trendy 

all information is from the "trusty" Wikipedia and all images are from good old Google - perfect combination for any dress-up partay

i love this. perfect illustration of the low cut tops, pearls and makeup 

the red lips

the gloves, the faux jacket, the small hat, the curled hair and the fitting dress . . . perfect

another fav

the ultimate of glamour 

a bit of here and there 

a typical Dior Dress 

another beautiful and classic Dior

Dior Dior Dior : love

makeup: 

• simple eye shadow and lashes
• defined eyebrows 
• bright lips
• curly (controlled) hair

and that is it from me. watch this space to see what the ladies really wear on the night.

xo xo