One Media Launch, a Launch Party, twenty-two Shows and an After Party... We were very busy fashionistas and socialites for a few days there! I could hardly imagine a whole week like this, though I'd never say no to a NYFW invite?
The Media Launch was an officious affair at the CTICC, where the Chairperson of African Fashion International, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, welcomed us and urged everyone to wear and shop South African. A task made easier by the AFI Fashion Boutique that was set up right there in the CTICC all through Fashion Week.
I felt a little bit lost when I first arrived, but decided to bite the bullet and introduce myself around. Just my luck then that the person I randomly chose to approach first ended up knowing everyone and everything there was to know! Thank you Bryan Ramkilawan, Design Lecturer at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and board member of the Cape Town Fashion Council. A highly accomplished fashion professional and a gracious guide to a blogger's first Fashion Week.
He introduced me to Charl Reineke of the Cape Times Fashion Forum, Stefanie Vieira (Executive Director of the Cape Town Fashion Council) and some lovely folks from Foschini: Alex Harris, Nicky Mitchell-Coyles and Dawn Ngwenya. Thanks to all of you for being kind and helpful.
The official launch party was held at Brio 1893. From an elegant jazz band when we arrived to live and loud hip hop performances later on, the night steadily progressed from chic mingler to crazy party. I ran into Sylvie Hurford and Robyn Cooke in the bathroom where Robyn promptly declared that three Boyfriend Blazers in one bathroom must be some kind of record!
Launch Party @ Brio 1893:
 |
| Marli (Threads) and Werner du Toit (Handsome Husband) |
 |
Hair extraodinaire Candice Taylor (Redken), Kim Henderson & Priya Pilay (Redken)
Right: Lovely, friendly Dawn Ngwenya (Senior PR Coordinator : Foschini)
Dylan Van Vuuren (Deon Redman Productions & Fair Lady Style Intern contestant) Sylvie Hurford (L'Oreal Make-Up Artist)
Robyn Cooke (O Mag Fashion Editor & Style Guide CT Blogger) & Marco (Manofthecloth Blogger)
At the shows: |
|
|
 |
Marli du Toit (Threads) Bryan Ramkilawan (CPUT Lecturer & CTFC) & Martine Schmidt (Helma Trading)
@ David West |
 |
Charl Reineke (Cape Times Fashion Forum) & Unidentified Beautiful Lady in a Gorgeous Dress
@ Michelle Ludek & Doreen Southwood |
 |
Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe (AFI) looked absolutely stunning in a Tart dress
Next to her is Robyn Cooke (O Mag & Style Guide Cape Town)
@ Suzaan Heyns & Coppelia
Timo Mykoniatis & Stefanie Vieira (CTFC)
@ Stoned Cherrie Featuring Love Movement
Kim Henderson & Marli du Toit (Threads)
@ Stoned Cherrie Featuring Love Movement |
 |
Designer David Tlale in his perennial shades & Super Stylish Fashionista
@ Stoned Cherrie Featuring Love Movement
L'Oreal Ladies proving they're worth it by looking lovely at all times!
Karen Taylor & Sylvie Hurford (both from L'Oreal)
@Stoned Cherrie Featuring Love Movement |
 |
Karen Taylor & Sylvie Hurford (both from L'Oreal)
@ Woolworths Emerging Designers
Francisca Herloff-Petersen, Claudine Samuels & Michelle: stylish Purr girls
@Wild Fig, Take Care & August |
|
 |
The ever-gorgeous Cara Burger & Felicity Mtetwa (Both from AFI)
@ Undacova & Ruff Tung |
 |
Nicky Boy (36Boutiques) & Khandiz Towill (Make-up Artist) brighten up all the black
@ David West |
 |
Michelle McLean David Tlale & Mark Gooding
@ Craig Port |
 |
Designer Errol Arendz doesn't look a day older then when I met him at SA Fashion Week 1998
@ Craig Port
Jo-Anne Strauss (Top Billing Presenter and popular MC) lets her accessories do the talking
@ Craig Native
Giddy smiles from Marishka with the Very Long Legs (Glamour) and friend for the final show
@Craig Native |
 |
Final Show of Day Three and starting to show signs of fatigue!
Marli du Toit (Threads) & Phrosné Ras (Link Creations)
@ Craig Native
After Party @ St Yves:
|
|
|
 |
Cara Burger (AFI) Gary Stemmet (SDR Photography) and Tatum Keshwar (Miss SA 2008)
@ St Yves After Party
Photographer extraordinaire Fanie Nel (FanJam Productions) & model Zilke Goosen
@ St Yves After Party
Sarah Chuot (right) and fellow models doing what models do best, looking good!
@ St Yves After Party
Candice Taylor (Redken) Phrosné Ras (Link Creations) & Marli du Toit (Threads)
@ St Yves After Party
All images by the awesomely talented and professional yet remarkably sweet and humble
Simon Deiner and Gary Stemmet of SDRPhoto - thanks guys!
Onicka van der Sandt and Helga Klizanie of Total Exposure were my little angels in disguise for the entire Fashion Week, how can
I ever repay you ladies?
And with that it was all over, I was hanging up my heels...
Till the next one?
See you there, sweetie dahling!
|
