ANISA MPUNGWE FOR MRP

Anisa Mpungwe, designer of Loin Cloth and Ashes continues her journey with MRP with yet another collaboration. The collection plays with visual that draw influences from traditional Africa striking prints in bold and bright hues with Nigeria being a major focus. 

I recently travelled through Africa where I was seduced by the energy of African cities. During my travels, I attended a wedding in Nigeria where I noticed how people embrace colour. They weren't afraid to be loud and expressive, both vocally and in dress! I also enjoyed how people followed current fashion trends while staying true to their African roots.

I absolutely love the energetic print juxtaposition in straight and structured cuts yet still conscious about feminine form. The range is available at selected MRP stores and online here.

#SAFW | ANMARI HONIBALL

So here a thing,  I have never gave much heed to South African Fashion Week (SAFW) and one of the prime reasons is that; I was never afforded time to be present at the event (Likewise MBFWJ and MBFWA). The state of ennui that I have succumbed,  has lead me to the programme which accelerated my jaws to the floor at terminal velocity by the unfamiliarity of designers who showcasing. Do not get me wrong, I have a close association with most of the designers on the programme ( and by close association I mean; I can familiarise the name from a bar of soap) and one such designer that I have a close association with is Anmari Honiball.

I was initially introduced to Anmari Honiball in 2012 when she was selected as a finalist for the ELLE NEW RISING STAR design awards and have grown to appreciate the beauty underlined in her work ever-since.   The AW15 collection plays with colour (Think: red, pink and blues) in a childlike manner. I am absolutely obsessed with the use of bright play dough-like, amoeba shaped collage-esque detailing, especially on the black black drop, 

PICHULIK | BARAKA

Amazing local jewellery brand Pichulik freshly launched their S/S15 Lookbook. Habitually drawing influences from the rich, vibrant and eclectic continent of Africa, the brand remains true to this aesthetic while the delicate craftsmanship progresses further North and the Middle East.

Baraka is the beneficent force from god that flows through the physical and spiritual spheres as prosperity, protection and happiness. This collaborative capsule collection is informed by Islamic Mailian architecture of North Africa and the garb of Islamic tribes that wander these lands.

 I am obsessed with the use of more gold and the use of white plains of linen. The collection is available to shop online here. Photography by Kope Figgins and wardrobe Kat van duinen.

LET’S GET TROPSI

Dear Rae, a local Jewellery brand has launched their summer/spring 2015 lookbook which I am super excited to share. The range has maintained the Dear Rae minimalistic form and natural lines aesthetic yet still elegant and sophisticated.

"The range is inspired by the sensations of Summer. The bright sun, cool leafy shade on your face and the feeling of fruity juice running down your chin."

Think summery sweetness and all things tropical, from pineapples to palm trees in glittery silver gold and gold.  The Let's get tropsi  collection is said to launch this Thursday at the Woodstock foundry.

Remember to shop the collection here. 

SHAPES & WORDS

Therese Sennerholt is a Sweden based art director living in Stockholm. Her graphic prints with new and old quotations are very sought after and witty. I  am super obsessed with the current shapes and words collection. 

AMY SCHEEPERS | DKNY MYNY

DKNY celebrates the city and the women who reside in it, as part of the new fragrance MYNY.  As part of the festivities Elle Magazine South Africa has asked young, up and coming female photogs to translate what puts their city on a global creative map through visual narrative. One such creative is fully time photog and my favourite blogger Amy Scheepers.

I find that living in a city like Cape Town affects your way of dressing in so many ways. The biggest way, in my opinion, is how inspired you always are by the people around you, the city’s beautiful architecture, busy schedules, and general creativity. How can you not take it all in and come out with a sense of style that is uniquely you? I photographed 5 women who not only have very distinct and different styles, but are also all amazing creatives and inspiring people. To go alongside their image I deconstructed their outfits into a few key pieces and ‘dressed the city.

Find out more about the shoot and keep in the loop with the DKNY MYNY here. Also, visit Amy's blog here.  

GARWOOD & GRACE

Garwood and Grace is the up-and-coming young designer swimwear label that has until now been known to just a handful of style, sun and beach loving  Capetonians. The s/s14 range of tailored, quality swim shorts has a distinct St. Tropez just- stepped-off-my-yacht appeal, which is not surprising given founding partner Tiphaine Alston’s credentials: a BA Hons from the UK’s Ravensbourne College, a Masters at the Royal College of Art in London and work experience and commissions from Burberry, Alexander McQueen, Roksanda Ilincic and Victoria’s Secret. But why men’s swimwear? Alston explains: 

When Simon, my husband and “the business brain behind the brand”, and I moved to Cape Town two years ago, we noticed that most men are wearing baggy, unflattering board shorts. As a result, Garwood & Grace came about because I wanted to introduce a tailored, European sensibility to South Africa’s beaches with swim shorts that will be equally at home at a beach bar or restaurant. 

The Summer 2014 prints were inspired by plant textures found in and around Cape Town, by the indigenous fauna found in the North of the country and by rock art observed in the mountain and nature of Cederberg.  Shop the collection online here.

MUTE BY JENEVIEVE LYONS

JENEVIEVE LYNONS HAS RECENTLY LAUNCHED HER PRET A PORTER COLLECTION APTLY TITLED MUTE. THE COLLECTION IS AN EXTENSION TO JENEVIEVE LYNONS THE BRAND AND EXPLORES WEARABLE MINIMALISM THAT STILL TOUCHES BASE WITH HER VISUALLY ABSTRACT AND CONCEPTUAL AESTHETIC.

MUTE is an extension to the Jenevieve Lyons brand where the ready-to-wear extension lines will compound. MUTE expresses an aesthetic of wearable simplicity whereby garments are intricately designed and constructed with the use of high quality textiles. The garments are strongly articulated with an aesthetic  of ‘oddity’,  which is filtered through the conceptual side of the brand and injected into the ready-to-wear garments to carry through the aesthetic of telling visual parables through apparel; hereby executed in a wearable and accessible manner.

Photography: Kent Andreasen

Styling: Gabrielle Kannemeyer

Models: Loulou Swanepoel and Johannes Westerveld at Ice Models

Shop her other collections on AKEDO.