needleguru: October 2015

Apart from the fact that Fashion Week has become a playground for the " I work in fashion cool kid" who really just works in a clothing store, has no skills and scored a free ticket or got lucky in the standby queue, there still is some substance to the idea.

After a long day at work, I draped myself in good clothes and headed down to the Crowne Plaza to check out what my fellow designers have been up to. The shows had been delayed by a couple of tens of minutes due to some rugby madness that me and my kind don't care about anyway.

However, In the interim, we gathered in the lobby of the clinically decorated marquee and sipped on some vodka infused cocktails while chatting to some amazing and some yawn worthy individuals.
The fashion was already both crazy and interesting. Just looking across the room, there was no question about where you were and what was the situation. Men were dressed in skirts and dresses and the ladies were silently suffering in their gorgeous, sleek courts. Faces were made up and the usual discussions about who has been where and what had been done were the order of the night. Felipe Mazibuko looked his usual stylish self and wore is favorite " I'm not trying" attitude. There were, of course, the expected "cringe" worthy fashion faux pas. But then again, what would Fashion Week be without these?

When showtime hit, we quickly downed our watered down beverages and headed into the auditorium. Of all the designers squashed into the same slot, my huntys and I were here to support and watch Touch Of Bling.
The room was dark, runway covered in black cloth and all you could see was cellphone lights as people scratched and snooped around for their seats. Once the air kisses were blown and the self importance of the front row had concluded, the shows began.
Don't even ask me who the other designers were and what they showed. I was here for one reason and one reason only.

Across the room from me was the equally talented Rich Mnisi of OATH Studios, Alan Forlee and Christian. A couple of seats away were my favorites Mahlatse James and Jerry Mokgofe. In the distance, was Trevor Stuurman.

The designers showed their ideas and forecasts for AW16 and the excitement was abuzz. The amount of local talent is insane by the way. This became a much needed reminder of who and what I am. I got reminded of why I even began a career in fashion design.
This became heightened by the Touch Of Bling exhibition. His collection, aptly titled African Traveller, was the perfect and precise fashion orgasm.

The balance of the warm colors, textures and paint splash details on worn out boots were the thread that pulled the amazing collection together. There were details of deconstructed dungaree flaps, button flies, chunky oversized knits, cowl necks and tie-dye effects.
For me, this was the perfect fusion. It did push the male aesthetic far enough but without making it almost drag or "braamfontein kool kid" like. It was a collection that was [for me] modern, cosmopolitan, sophisticated, clean and edgy.

And because I know the designer personally, a large part of me prayed that the styling would be as minimal as possible as opposed to the usual diamanté and metal embellishments. I'm glad to say he delivered precisely. The designer allowed the fabrics to carry out the story rather than adding 3rd dimensional elements. Which I believe to be what we get wrong as designers. The fusion of the subtle creative elements with the modern tailoring made this collection stand out. This, together with the careful yet brave use of the occasional head wrap, the printed sock under the cropped slim leg and the paint slash were both exciting and accurate.

What Touch Of Bling did for me was to almost reinvent the male silhouette so neatly and commercially but without the arrogance of trying to redefine the African man that we've grown to love and celebrate. The pieces were delicate but not emasculating.
For me the story was both precise and required. We need to start looking at the African man without the usual tribal regalia yet with the same amount of respect, understanding and desire. For me, Touch Of Bling delivered this and catered to my every fashion need.

A job well done to the amazing Thabo Khumalo. A beautiful show it was. Absolutely beautiful.
Shine Bling, shine!!! 🙌
Follow Touch Of Bling:
@touch.of.bling