Fashion Campaign: Melicia Gindan for Dzollhouse

Peep the pictures below where Melicia Gindan is featured in a fashion campaign for Dzollhouse. She is definately slaying. Follow Melicia and Dzollhouse on Instagram for more pictures on the campaign. 

 

Photo credit: Instagram

PUMA and Solebox Collaborates on the XS850 Adventurer Pack

Global Sports Brand PUMA and influential Berlin-based sneaker store, Solebox release the first part of Adventurer Pack trilogy with the archive running silhouette, the Trinomic XS850.

The PUMA Adventurer Pack consists of three drops set to launch throughout the year. The idea behind it references a time in the late 90s, early 2000s, when resourceful European sneakerheads frequently ventured to the United States to source rare, vintage or new footwear that were unavailable in their local markets. Selling these exclusive imports soon turned out to be a profound business model and in some cases laid the foundation to the opening of an actual store.

The Trinomic XS850 Adventurer Pack was inspired by Solebox founder Hikmet’s adventures in the United States. He not only brought rare sneakers to Berlin but also picked up an addiction to Jelly Belly – a true American jellybean treat. His favorite flavor, the Berry Blue, was the inspiration to the footwear’s colour way.

The XS850 was first introduced in the 90’s and was renowned for its distinctive use of the revolutionary PUMA Trinomic System - hexagonal honeycomb-like cells in the sole that compressed and rebounded load. It quickly found favor amongst runners who enjoyed the cushioned ride. Now it’s found its way from the track to the streets.

The Trinomic XS850 Adventurer Pack will retail for R1 899.  The sneakers can be found at PUMA SELECT stores in Cape Town, Bree Street and Braamfontein, Johannesburg from 27 June. 

YEEZY BOOST 350: How To Scoop The Most Anticipated Sneaker Of The Season This Weekend

 

adidas Originals is evening the playing field by giving its customers the chance to win tickets to buy the exclusive new YEEZY BOOST 350 – the world renowned shoe designed in collaboration with Kanye West, launching globally this weekend on 27 June. Ricole Green, Brand Activation Manager for adidas Originals South Africa explains “due to extremely limited quantities and high demand in South Africa (and globally), we wanted to offer everyone interested in owning a pair, a fair opportunity to get their hands on one”.

Here’s what you need to do to get a pair on Saturday:

In Johannesburg, head down to AREA3 (155 Smit Street, Braamfontein) and join the queue before 14h00. Grab a raffile ticket. Only one ticket will be issued to each member of the queue and a staff member of AREA3 will randomly draw ticket numbers. Twenty-eight winners will be invited into the store, two people at a time, with the first option of buying their one pair.

In Cape Town, head down to Shelflife. The same process as above applies; remember to please get to the store before 14h00! . “We urge the public not to be late as anyone joining the queue after the 2pm cut off time, will not receive a raffle ticket” says Ricole Green.

The YEEZY BOOST 350 will retail at R2999 and quantities are limited and shoe sizes cannot be guaranteed. T&Cs apply.

For more information on the collaboration and the YEEZY BOOST, visit www.adidas.co.za/yeezy. Also, follow adidas South Africa on Twitter (@adidasZA) and Instagram (@adidasZA) or join the conversation by using #adidasOriginals and #YEEZYBOOST.

Introducing PUMA’s Luxe DKNSTRKT Pack

The new Trinomic DKNSTRKT pack from PUMA features the iconic XS850 and Blaze of Glory silhouettes in deep earthy hues and luxe materials.

The DKNSTRKT Blaze of Glory takes full advantage of the richness of the supple nubuck leather used on the upper, by applying subtle, classic, colourways – triple black and cognac brown. The style is finished with off-white midsole, a stark contrast to its rich hues. The DKNSTRKT XS850 uses the same colour palette, but decked in a perforated leather upper.

Refined details incorporated in each style range from intricate stitching to the scoring on the heel and both feature premium leather embossed branding on the tongue.

The ‘90s saw both the XS850 and the Blaze of Glory shoot to fame through their distinctive use of revolutionary PUMA Trinomic technology. With its honeycomb cell cushioning the XS850 rapidly spread from the track to the streets, reinventing athletic and street footwear.

The DKNSTRKT Blaze of Glory retails for R1999 and the DKNSTRKT XS850 for R2499 at Shelflife Stores and PUMA SELECT stores in Bree Street, Cape Town and in Braamfontein, Johannesburg from 26 June 2015.

Introducing the YEEZY BOOST 350 by Kanye West and adidas Originals

adidas Originals and Kanye West have released the second sneaker developed in their close collaboration: the YEEZY BOOST 350. Launching globally on 27 June, South Africans have a chance to grab their pair at Shelflife in Cape Town and AREA3 in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, at a recommended retail price of R2999.

The YEEZY BOOST 350 is composed of beautiful yet simple materials, speaking to West’s ambition of creating a clean, modern, effortless template for footwear and apparel. By fusing adidas’ unparalleled engineering with a timeless aesthetic, the YEEZY BOOST 350 presents a fearless step into the future of style.

The trainer features an upper composed entirely of adidas’ Primeknit: a breakthrough material developed using the latest digital engineering methods to fit like a second skin. Leveraging adidas BOOST™’s highly responsive properties, the shoe boasts the ultimate in comfort and performance, ensuring that the wearer’s every step is hyper-charged with an endless supply of light, fast energy.

Launched this past February with an epic New York Fashion Week presentation, YEEZY Season 1 by Kanye West and adidas Originals ignited a global sensation with an unprecedented public live-stream and the subsequent release of the YEEZY BOOST, which immediately sold out in a worldwide frenzy of anticipation.

South Africans are encouraged to head down to Shelflife and AREA3 on Saturday, 27June, so as not to miss out on owning a pair of their very own.

For more information on the collaboration and the YEEZY BOOST, visit www.adidas.co.za/yeezy.

Follow adidas South Africa on Twitter (@adidasZA) and Instagram (@adidasZA) or join the conversation by using #adidasOriginals and #YEEZYBOOST.

MUST HAVE: Africology Limited Edition Shave Kit – Your Face Will Thank You!

Given the cold temperature we have been experiencing across the country since the start of winter, many guys have started to grow their beards so that they can have a warmer neck and face. However, there are a few (including myself) whose habits are hard to break, and who shave throughout the year regardless of the season. 

Last year, I got introduced to the Africology brand and their amazing products and spa’s. Africology is one of the leaders in providing natural, eco-friendly and holistic spa’s and skin care products. They are a proudly South African company who has achieved success in the USA, Europe and Britain. They only use natural ingredients that are bio-identical to one’s biology, in order to enhance the integrity of our skin whilst simultaneously preventing premature again. 

I was very pleased last week when I used their shave kit. The products in the shave kit left my face soft, hydrated, protected and it smelled really nice after shaving. Africology’s shave kit is a definite MUST HAVE this season. The products (each 25ml) in the Africology shave kit include cleansing gel, shave cream and beard balm.

Africology Shave Cream

Africology has produced a great shave cream. It provides a smoother shave as it is soft and easy to lather. It contains natural ingredients such as Shea butter and coconut oil which provides great moisturizing benefits. One’s skin is left feeling soft and hydrated after using it. The shave cream also leaves one’s skin protected as the Shea butter contains natural SPF7.

Verdict: I was duly impressed with the quality of the shave cream.

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Africology Cleansing Gel

They say good cleansing is essential to having great and healthy skin, therefore I was ‘chuffed’ to see that the shave kit contains cleansing gel. It was also great to see that the gel was made of natural ingredients and contains quillaja and soapwort (mild cleansing and foaming agents). 

Verdict: I love how the gel feels on my skin, fresh and soft!

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Africology Beard Balm

The shave kit also contains beard balm to help condition one’s beard while taming split ends. In producing the product, they have used a proprietary blend of natural essential oils, infused with Shea butter. The ingredients are natural and are less likely to irritate your skin. The beard balm can also be left in until you wash your beard as it contains Shea butter.

Verdict: Africology’s beard balm is a great all-in-one beard moisturizer and conditioner. I have used the beard balm on my moustache (because I have shaved my beard, using their great shaving cream).

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You can shop Africology’s Shave Kit for only R270 from Africology’s online store or from the Africology spa's/stores throughout the country.

PS: Fathers Day is this weekend and if you are still looking for gift ideas, I recommend you buy the Africology Shave Kit. Your Dad will THANK YOU as this Shave Kit is the perfect gift to get him on his way to having great skin!

While you at the Africology spa/store, I also recommend you get him an Africology magnesium sports massage. The magnesium sports massage was created in conjunction with the doctors at Exec|Care. Magnesium is absorbed through the skin, and is vital to our physical and mental well-being. It  combats physical and mental fatigue, boosts focus, improves sleep, evens out blood pressure, keeps the bones strong, improves your mood and manages inflammation. When combined with a full-body massage, magnesium restores the fatigued body to a naturally energetic and restored state.

This is the perfect treatment and will be a great gift for you and your dad this Fathers day. The benefits from the spa treatment will continue long after your spa visit.

TanOrganic Announces the Establishment of the South Africa Beauty Blogger Awards

TanOrganic celebrates the very best in South African blogging with the 1^st annual South Africa Beauty Blogger Awards. The regional South Africa Beauty Blogger Awards will run concurently with the Ireland Beauty Blogger Awards.

With more people reading and writing beauty blogs, the blogging industry is becoming increasingly influential. More businesses are using blogs to engage with their customers and influence consumer paths to purchase. This growth has led to the need to recognise these blogs and therefore TanOrganic saw the opportunity to establish the South Africa Beauty Blogger Awards.

“The awards are aimed at recognising the importance of blogging in the modern business landscape and acknowledging the skills, effort and commitment it takes to create an influential blog. The awards also enables the beauty industry to immediately recognise the bloggers that they should be communicating with in order to create effective awareness for their brands or products,” says Greg Gunner, Executive Director TanOrganic South Africa.

There are 9 categories in the Beauty Blog Awards, namely

• Best Overall Blog;
• Best Content;
• Best Web Design;
• Best Fashion Blogger;
• Best Cosmetic Blogger;
• Best Male Grooming Blog;
• Best Social Media;
• Newcomer of the year; and
• Readers Choice.

Bloggers are nominated and then encouraged to get their followers to vote for them. The 30 bloggers with the highest votes will be identified, and panel of independent judges will score each blogger according to specific criteria. The winners will be announed on the 22 August 2015 at the Gala event, to be held in Johannesburg. All funds raised for the awards will go towards a Non-Profit Cancer Charity for Cancer Research or Education and Awareness.

MUST HAVE: L’Occitane Cedrat - A New Fresh, Masculine and Lightweight Fragrance Every Gent Needs To Own

New fragrances are always worth sniffing out, as it is always refreshing to add new and exciting products to one’s collection. L’Occitane recently launched a new skincare range for men titled: L’Occitane Cedrat. They have used the cedrat fruit to develop an energizing and masculine fragrance and skincare rage.  The range consist out of eau de cedrat, shower gel, deodorant stick, soap, face gel, shaving gel, after shave and cleanser which was tailored to meet the unique demands of men’s skin. I have been using the L’Occitane Cedrat eau de toilette and the L’Occitane Cedrat Shower Gel, and recommend it to all the dapper gents as these products will leave you smelling great for hours!

The L’Occitane Cedrat eau de toilette is a very masculine fragrance. The scent strikes a perfect ‘woody citrus’ balance. It opens with a refreshing citrusy scent, blending cedrat bark and sparkling bergamot. Spicy notes of nutmeg and blue ginger develop in the heart, to provide warmth and also to enhance the overall impression of the fragrance. The base closes with elegant flavors of cedar and cashmere wood. The fragrance smells amazing and has a very good silage.

The Cedrat eau de toilette comes in a signature flask-style bottle made of glass and crowned with a silver stopper. The bottle recalls the skin of the cedrat fruit and the color of the fragrant liquid is a citrusy, greenish-yellow shade (appropriate for the name of the fragrance).

The 100ml EDT Cedrat eau de toilette by L´Occitane retails for R740 and the 50ml EDT retails for R560.

The L’Occitane Cedrat Shower Gel is a multi-purpose, 2-in-1, product that can be used as body wash and as shampoo. The Cedrat Shower Gel by L’Occitane lathers well and gently cleanses one’s body while leaving a fresh and masculine scent. The shower gel is enriched with organic Corsican cedrat extract for its energizing properties.

The Cedrat Shower Gel by L’Occitane comes in an extra-large masculine bottle and retails for R235.

PS: These products in the Cedrat range will make great Fathers Day gifts! Click here for a list of L’Occitane Boutiques where you can shop the Cedrat range.

Durban Fashion Fair Mentorship Programme Models Young Designers

Greg Wallis & Terrence Bray with the 2015 DFF mentees!

The Durban Fashion Fair (DFF) Mentorship Programme is gathering momentum as 19 young designers strive to learn all they can about the world of fashion whilst also qualifying for an opportunity for a second mentorship experience of a lifetime in one of the world’s fashion capitals. 

The DFF is a proudly eThekwini initiative developed to grow the fashion industry at large and to formulate employment opportunities and entrepreneurship in our city.

Scores of young designers put their names forward in November last year and 19 were chosen to take part in the programme which includes working closely with some of the city’s top fashion gurus as well as their fellow designers.

As the programme progresses, a minimum of nine aspiring designers will be eliminated from the programme until the maximum of 10 head to Milan for a firsthand experience of the international world of fashion between September & November.

The interns, who range in age from 23 to 35, are all currently working in the fashion industry. Selection was based on three pillars – creativity (which was judged on story boards and garment construction) as well as business acumen (a traceable client base, business plan and business skills).

This month, two of the above 2015 mentees will join the four interns from last year who went to Milan together with invited and established designers in showcasing their creations at an exciting fashion show, hosted by Gelvenor Textiles who are currently celebrating 50 years within the textile industry.

Themed Fashion Over the Decades, this will see the interns divided into groups with each group showcasing fashion from a particular decade, starting with the swinging sixties and ending with the start of the 2000 and beyond. It will bring together the city’s fashionistas as well as buyers, suppliers and industry leaders and media.

All the successful interns from last year and this year will also see their work on the ramp at the Durban Fashion Fair later this year!

According to Sindi Shangase, the Programme Manager for the Business Support Tourism and Markets Unit and who has driven the DFF since inception in 2012, the mentorship programme is intended to train enterprising young designers in all aspects of the fashion business and prepare them and their collections for the DFF and, finally, for mentorship in Milan.

Programme mentors are G & D Apparel’s, Greg Wallis and respected Durban based designer, Terrence Bray, who will assist with orientation, choice of textiles, collection design and styling amongst other clothing related matters and Greg Wallis who will not only guide interns on orientation and textile selection but provide valuable information regarding manufacturing, brand management, costing and entering the world of retail.

Guest lecturers from the industry are all revered members and will take invited turns in assisting in the development of these mentees.

Interns competing for the Milan mentorship are provided with different design briefs each week and assignments. They work in teams, selecting a team leader and critting each other’s work. They are also taught to build collections from start to finish whilst additional modules will show these aspiring designers how to run their own successful businesses.

Gelvenor Textiles, one of Durban’s biggest success stories in the textile arena, will contribute a substantial financial input to the DFF Mentorship Programme and sponsor the eagerly anticipated May fashion show which, Gelvenor will host at the Sibaya Casino.

The company is a big name in the global specialist  textile arena. This Hammarsdale based manufacturer’s products include apparel fabrics, specialised sport and outdoor fabrics, ballistic and flame retardant textiles, aeronautical textiles, print and coat base cloths, multifilament filtration media and speciality reinforcing grids and scrim industrial fabrics. Its brands are Qantec, Qantec microfiber, Granite, APC, Team Puma and Airotec.

Gelvenor Textiles’ success lies in continual investment in research and technology and in an on-going drive for the production of the highest quality innovative fabrics.

To find out more about the Durban Fashion Fair, log on to www.durbanfashionfair.com, visit official facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/DurbanFashionFair  or Twitter https://twitter.com/DbnFashionFair

Orlando Pirates Unveil New 2015/16 Away Kit

adidas, the leading global football brand, has revealed the new Orlando Pirates Football Club Away kit for the forthcoming 2015/16 season ahead of the Home kit, for the first time in its history.

The 2015/16 Away jersey offers a modern and stylish V neck alternative while retaining the fans' favourite red colour way.

"This year we are excited to #bethedifference and together with Orlando Pirates have developed what we believe will be a trendy jersey, that further entrenches a strong emotional connection with the club and stimulates a pride in the jersey, particularly amongst the young supporters," commented Adrian De Souza, Senior Category Manager Football, at adidas South Africa.

Other than returning to a V-shaped neck, the power red away jersey has a lighter red grading on the chest, giving it a brighter and more vibrant look. The collar and sleeves have mesh inserts giving the jersey a dotted fashionable look. The badge is 3D and as before, the back of the jersey is embossed with the skull and crossbones.

Technology
The kit features the latest adidas technologies to ensure that it not only evokes pride in the jersey but gives Orlando Pirates an edge on the pitch:

• TechFit™ - Designed to help improve speed, endurance and awareness, TechFit stabilises muscles and focuses energy. This helps players to generate explosive acceleration and deliver maximum power output.

• ClimaCool™ - adidas ClimaCool technology provides a mixture of heat and moisture controlling materials, ventilation channels and 3D fabrics to improve air flow to the skin in key heat zones meaning that when the body heats up during exercise, for instance, ClimaCool ensures that the athlete remains cool.

The away jersey is available for ladies, kids as well as infants (baby grows). It will be available on the 9th June at adidas Performance stores as well as key sports and football retailers countrywide at a recommended retail price of R699.

The Orlando Pirates Away jersey will be donned for the first time during the CAF Champions League game against AS Kaloum Star of Guinea at Bidvest Stadium on the 6th June 2015.

Introducing Diggi Dot Collection by Skinny LaMinx

A new fabric collection inspired by Jaipur and the process of block printing!

In 2014, Skinny laMinx designer Heather Moore was invited to teach a three day course in pattern design and generation to an international group, as part of a seven day experiential tour in Jaipur, India. The focus of the tour was traditional Indian block printing and dying techniques, and Heather’s role was to teach the group to design and create pattern, using linoleum printing blocks. She stayed in a charming old hotel called Diggi Palace, teaching in the shade at a leafy poolside courtyard.

While preparing for the trip, Heather did a lot of lino block printing in her studio, finding this method of generating pattern very exciting, because of the way the simplest shapes can generate endless combinations and variations, with just a shift of direction or colour.

Heather had anticipated, upon her return, that she would create designs bursting with the vibrant aesthetic excesses generally associated with India, but instead, she found herself drawn to soft colours and delicate lines. This is what she wrote in her journal on the last day in Jaipur:

“I have come away with a sense of sweetness and calm beneath the clamour and chaos of the traffic. Delicate fabrics, the finest lines, the softest tones: My experience of India has been all about exquisite skill, craftsmanship and attention to the finest detail.”

The Diggi Dot Collection

The result is the Diggi Dot collection, where the simplest block printed motifs- a line, a half circle and a dot - combine with the fresh, light colours of Jaipur.

Incorporating Diggi Dot

Including Diggi Dot into the existing range of prints and palette has revealed lots of new & unexpected colour combinations, which Skinny laMinx is looking forward to sharing in the 2015/6 COLOUR BOOK.

Simple Stripe

• Lemon
• Mint
• Liquorice
• Steel
• Signal red

Sway

• Steel / Signal
• Lemon / Mint
• Liquorice / Fog

Gridly

• Steel / Signal
• Glass / Mint
• Lemon / Fog

Block Circle

• Liquorice
• Steel
• Signal red

Skinny laMinx fabric is priced at R545/meter and is available from their Bree Street shop in Cape Town and online at www.skinnylaminx.com

Durban Fashion Fair: Lights, Camera and Fashion

The selections for young and emerging designers has begun for the 2015 Durban Fashion Fair! Judges includes Greg Wallis, Sindi Shangase, Sim Tshabalala, Pearl Mzimela and Nondumiso Mhlongo . They were recently seen judging the fashion storyboards received from hundreds of designers who have entered this year’s Durban Fashion Fair (DFF) to be held from 26th to 29th August.

Carducci, 2013 Durban Fashion Fair

Each year since its 2012 launch by the eThekwini Municipality, the Durban Fashion Fair has grown bigger and better – and this year will be no different! Not only is the DFF about the fashion, but about building a platform for Durban’s creative industries to access national and international markets and take design to retail. Closely aligned with this, it also offers local and international mentorship programmes and goes out to discover “fresh faces” for the catwalk – ultimately putting Durban on the fashion map!

“But, each year, the selection process also changes as the competition out there is more fierce and the level of the industry requirements are more challenging, which makes it so difficult for us to judge. The standard of the entries and the quality of the storyboards and designs that come in are more exciting as each year passes, ensuring that the DFF itself is bigger and better,” says Sindi Shangase, the visionary Programme Manager for the Business Support Tourism and Markets Unit who has spearheaded the DFF since inception!

We will keep you updated with more information on the 2015 Durban Fashion Fair.

Viyella, 2013 Durban Fashion Fair

Image Credit: Simon Deiner / SDR Photo