First Look: Bronx Woman Spring/Summer 2014 - The Modern Adventurer

This season Bronx Woman takes you to paradise. Designed to impress, this vibrant collection is delightfully playful and celebrates summer time adventures. Styles are brave, bold and unexpected with metallics, embellishment and creative cutouts as key stylistic touches. From wedges to flats, sexy heels and ankle straps, the collection embraces the latest international trends hot off the runway.

Wayne Roos (Bronx Woman Product Manager) explains: “Every summer we look at footwear for its shelf appeal, but this summer we put our core focus on how good the shoe looks while on - pretty, affordable footwear that will make the Bronx Woman girl look and feel sexy.”

Roos builds collections around a key colour palette; this season taking inspiration from black, red, nude and chocolate where he worked around having at least one of these core colours present in each look.  Drawing on this vision, the collection was thoughtfully designed to cover every trend for the new season, along with the idea of comfort. Helping woman to not only look good- but feel good too.

Bronx Woman - The Modern Adventurer

Fit for every occasion and destination, the ‘Bronx Woman’ is a modern adventurer, she is ready for whatever summer has to offer. From sandals for a little seaside fun to styles fit for the ultra-glamorous, she is kitted out for every adventure. So whether you're beach-bound, or painting the town gold, you'll be spoilt for choice with this summer's must-have styles.

Prices and Stockists

Styles from the Bronx Woman S/S 2014 Collection start at R299.00 and the Westee boot from R549.00. For stockist information kindly visit the Bronx Woman website: www.bronxwoman.com

Bronx Woman embraces a playful season filled with bursts of spring colour! Celebrate summer with an array of delicate kitten heels, daring metallic wedges and bang-on-trend gladiator sandals.

Peep The Latest Collection From Galxboy

Galxboy’s spring/summer 2014/2015 collection drops tomorrow. You can however, pre-order pieces from the collection by contacting them through email or WhatsApp. 

Have a look at the dope pieces (and the price each item retails for), which you can buy from Galxboy and also from their official stockists this festive season:

First Look: The Tubular from adidas Originals

With an uncompromising design that marries function and aesthetic like never before, adidas Originals presents a new footwear silhouette - the Tubular. Born from some of the brand's most creative minds, the Tubular echoes the fearlessness found in the world of sports and channels this directness into a bold new silhouette that is as streamlined, as it is headstrong.

The Tubular's namesake is its unique outsole design, inspired by inner tire tubes, which features dual-density EVA for unbeatable comfort. Partnered with stabilising plates, the Tubular supports the wearer with a firm stance, whilst sacrifices nothing in the way of aesthetic. A sock-fit neoprene upper continues the contemporary street look and features printed overlays that provide additional support.

The Tubular embodies the creative, pioneering philosophy of adidas Originals. Refined, responsive and deeply considered, it's a bold new take on progressive sneaker design that's instinctive to the brand with the 3-stripes.

For the debut mainline appearance of the brand new Tubular silhouette, adidas Originals presents the Tubular Runner.

Offering two iterations of the sport and style crossover for November, the Tubular Runner couples the shoe's minimalist design with four streamlined colour palettes in solid grey and core black. Each model's upper from the neoprene sock and leather heel-cage to the laces and structural overlay has been rendered in a smooth tonal treatment, offset by an all-white midsole in the shoe's featherweight dual-density EVA.

The Tubular Runner demonstrates the silhouette's true versatility, championing the shoe's progressive and style-conscious edge in its purest form.

You can shop the Tubular for R1,599 at the following stores:

• adidas Originals Canal Walk, V&A Waterfront and Menlyn Park Shopping Centre;
• a store is good;
• Prime;
• Soho;
• Shelflife; 
• Dapper;
• Streetcred; 
• Smith & Abrahams; and 
• RAD.

Must Have: Truefitt and Hill Ultimate Comfort Pre-shave Oil – The Basis For The Smoothest Shave!

I have never used pre-shaved oil before or had imagined that there was a need for me to use it. A few weeks ago, I was introduced to Truefitt and Hill’s Ultimate Comfort pre-shaving oil and 3 to 4 drops of the oil has changed my entire perspective on shaving.

I have very sensitive skin, and since I started using the product, I have experienced little or no irritation from shaving and therefore I say that this is the basis for the smoothest shave. My razor burn has also dramatically reduced. Truefitt and Hill’s pre-shaving oil also reduced the drag and my skin felt so much softer! The smell of the product is very refreshing and smooth! It smells like citrus, which I enjoy very much. 

Shaving used to be a mission in the morning, until I started using this amazing product! Truefitt and Hill’s Ultimate Comfort pre-shave oil does everything it says it does. This is one product that I don’t think I could do without. I recommend this product to all the dapper gents. Try it! You won’t regret it!

You can shop Truefitt and Hill’s Ultimate pre-shaving oil for only R295 at the following Victorian Bathrooms stores:

Cape Town
Cape Quarter - Shop 123, The Square, Cape Quarter, Greenpoint - 021 418 0855
Somerset West - 3 Lourensford Road, Somerset West - 021 852 3439
Wynberg Showroom - 53 Constantia Main Road, Wynberg - 021 704 2340

Johannesburg
Hyde Park Corner - Shop 56, Middle Mall, Hyde Park Corner, Craighall - 011 325 5503

PS: We are also giving away one bottle of Truefitt and Hill Ultimate pre-shave oil to one lucky reader. Click here for more information on how to enter the competition!

Introducing Diane - Global fashion inspired by the streets of Paris

Founded by international fashion model Diana Tadjuideen. Diana was born and raised in Paris by her Polish/Togolese parents. An international model since the age of sixteen, her travels far and wide finally led her to South Africa where Diana decided to harness her entrepreneurial spirit and love for fashion. With DIANE she managed to create a brand that seamlessly merges her Parisian femininity with her passion for timeless glamour.

DIANE is a prêt-à-porter brand aimed at professional women looking to add strokes of Parisian sophistication to their wardrobes. The seasonal collections embody Diana’s timeless elegance and natural French flair, bringing her imaginative spirit to life.

Diana is a hands-on label owner who is involved in every minute detail of the business – compromise is never an option. Her vision for DIANE is to create a lifestyle brand and allow each customer to inhabit a world of chic sophistication synonymous with The City Of Light. “My mission is to make the brand nothing less than extraordinary!” Diana enthuses.

Fabric selection plays an integral role in Diana’s design process, with her painstakingly selecting the finest cloth and materials from fabric houses dotted around Paris. The design of the garments also takes place here where her designer fashions and initially moulds the clothing to Diana’s frame. The final product is then manufactured and finished to perfection in Poland. “When sourcing fabrics I am driven to find options which are both unique and line with international trends. I often spend day son end exploring side strets in search of fabrics that jump out at me. We use silk, dentell de Calais, viscose and eco-leather – which is currently trending in Europe,” she says.

Versatility and everyday indulgence drive her creative process and shape each collection. “I struggled to find on-trend garments that expressed my individuality. I like pieces which can be worn from day to night and that combines the classic with the now,” she says. The current collection is made up of whimsical summer dresses, elegant midi length skirts and eco-leather raw edge tops and jackets.

Garments range from R710 for elegant mini shorts, R790 for raw edge tops, R1500 for classic eco-leather jackets, and R1800 for sophisticated summer dresses.

DIANE is currently available at the following stockists:

Johannesburg:
a.y.k at 44 Stanley, Burgundy Fly in Rosebank
70 Juta Street in Braamfontain

Cape Town:
The Bromwell Boutique Mall in Woodstock

Exclusive Competition: Win Truefitt and Hill’s Ultimate Comfort Pre-shave Oil and Feel Like Royalty this Movember

Truefitt and Hill bring a sense of Royalty to all gentlemen. Over the years, Truefitt and Hill's clientele included the male line of the Royal Family, members of visiting Royal households, Frank Sinatra and Winston Churchill - to name but a few.

This Movember, Swag Craze and Truefitt and Hill wants you to feel like royalty! We are giving away one bottle of Truefitt and Hill Pre-shave oil to a lucky reader!

Why is Truefitt and Hill’s Pre-shave oil a MUST HAVE and also THEE best prize to WIN this Movember?

Truefitt and Hill’s Pre-shave oil:

• is great for sensitive skin;
• ensures the most comfortable shave;
• is formulated with 10 essential oils;
• has an energizing and refreshing scent;
• has a light texture that will not clog the pores or razor blade; and
• will protect the skin as it contains conditioning, moisturizing ingredients and anti- oxidant ingredients.

How to enter:

You can enter on either Twitter or Facebook.

On Twitter

• Follow Swag Craze on Twitter
• Tweet the link of the article using the following hashtags #TruefittandHill #VictorianBathrooms

On Facebook

• Like the Swag Craze Page
• Copy and paste the link of this article using the following hashtags #Truefitt and Hill #VictorianBathrooms
• Like the Victorian Bathrooms page on Facebook

Please note, it is vital that you use the #hashtags so that we can track down your entries. When the competition is done running, we will randomly draw a winner from all the entries and the winner will be contacted through the site where the winning entry came from. Competition is only open to South African readers.

PPS: Gents remember, we need to use pre-shave oil before shaving because it gives one’s skin an added layer of protection prior to apply a shaving soap or cream lather. Truefitt and Hill’s Pre-shave oil is amazing (see my review sometime next week) and it is available at Victorian Bathrooms stores (see below) for R295. 

Victorian Bathroom Stores:  

Cape Town

Cape Quarter - Shop 123, The Square, Cape Quarter, Greenpoint - 021 418 0855

Somerset West - 3 Lourensford Road, Somerset West - 021 852 3439

Wynberg Showroom - 53 Constantia Main Road, Wynberg - 021 704 2340

Johannesburg

Hyde Park Corner - Shop 56, Middle Mall, Hyde Park Corner, Craighall - 011 325 5503

Happy shaving this Movember!

GROOMING – Beard Sacrifice This Movember

Image Source: Movember

Each year the Movember Foundation challenges men to grow moustaches during Movember, to spark conversation and raise vital funds for its men’s health programs. To date, 4 million moustaches have been grown worldwide. In South Africa, Movember has partnered with CANSA where funds raised from each campaign are allocated towards men’s health survivorship and research programmes.

Facial hair is strongly associated with masculinity and often carries powerful and complex cultural meanings. This year the Movember Foundation challenged Mo Bro’s (the gents who groom, trim and wax to get the perfect moustache) to shave their beards in the name of Men’s Health! It is not always easy to shave one’s beard, especially if you have been growing it for a while.

Throughout the years, facial hair has seen many different styles and shapes, dependent on the personality of the gentleman as well as the style of the time. Jessica Pleass shares a few styles and also the products we should use whilst shaving our beards this month!

1. The Natural Look

The natural look on James Franco. Source: Instagram

If you are experimenting with facial hair for the first time this Movember, you may not be willing to get to creative. One of the subtlest moustaches is the ‘natural’ look; this moustache is popular among many due to the low maintenance required. This moustache is normally grown to a medium length, and is the best moustache for beginners or men who have the ability to grow a full moustache, however choose to keep it sporty and tame.

Truefitt and Hill Pre-shave oil. Available at Victorian Bathrooms for R295

If you are able to grow a full thick beard, however would like to try the natural look this Movember, Truefitt and Hill recommends using the Pre-shave oil before styling as this softens the hair to ensure the perfect shave.

2. The Imperial

The imperial look on Ambrose Burnside. Source: Mustaches & Beards

The imperial moustache is for the more daring; this moustache is reserved for civil war reenactments or other types of theatrical involvement. This moustache extends out to either side and expands into a full beard; the chin however is left clean-shaven.

Truefitt and Hill luxury shaving soap. Available at Victorian Bathrooms for  R280

The use of Truefitt and Hills luxury shaving soap will allow for the perfect smooth shave every time.

3. The Handlebar

The handlebar moustache. Source: Mustaches & Beards

The handlebar moustache, which name comes from the style resembling the shape of bicycle handlebars, is a classic mustache that was historically worn by Italian men with a high level of sophistication. This moustache is not for the faint hearted, as this type of moustache requires a great deal of effort. The handlebar moustache is bushy and is often characterized by thinning out the sides that are then curled upward. The handlebar mustache rose to fame in Europe where 18^th century soldiers sported this look. In the United States the Handlebar mustache was popular among cowboys and the Wild West.

4. The ‘Fu Manchu’

The 'Fa Manchu' moustache. Source: Wikipedia

The fu manchu is often accompanied by a lengthy goatee and is included in many British novels. This moustache is best suited for men with thin facial hair and requires you to grow the sides thin and long.

Truefitt and Hill Ultimate Comfort Shaving Cream Bowl. Available at Victorian Bathrooms for  R275

If you are looking at getting creative and trying the Fu Manchu this Movember and prefer to leave the chin clean shaven, Truefitt and Hill recommends the Shaving cream bowl. The product contains a rich, moisturizing lather that will facilitate a comfortable yet close shave, allowing the focus to remain on the mustache.

Let us know (Twitter, Facebook or email) if you have shaved your beard for Movember.  Also, check out Swag Craze tomorrow for details on another exciting competition where you can win an amazing product!