blanko – new restaurant opens at the alphen hotel

Last week saw the opening of Blanko, the newest restaurant addition to The Kove Collection‘s hotel and restaurant group. It was an opulent black tie event as The Kove Collection spared no expense to provide an unbelievable restaurant experience to their guests, including celebrities, socialites, designers and media. I was invited to share this special moment along with guests including TV personality Tracey Lange, Fashion Designer Warrick Gautier, Blogger Jasna Zellerhoff and Designer Jenni Button to name just a few It was a fairy-tail event on a lovely Spring evening in Constantia, Cape Town and guest were spoiled both delicious canapés and wines specially selected by the chef.

The Kove Collection creates personalised experiences, highlighting fresh food, good service and innovative design and culture, while upholding a strong, sustainable approach towards the people and environment they operate in. This contemporary new Italian eatery is located in the height of luxury at the iconic Alphen Hotel in Constantia. Blanko boasts a vibrant “all day” atmosphere, where locals can eat and drink to their hearts’ content in a series of beautifully designed spaces within a heritage location.

Blanko’s all-white gallery-style space reflects the contemporary style synonymous with the Kove Collection. With Italian marble tables, a dramatically-lit white bar and textured furnishings all highlighted in ambient lighting. A perfectly white outside terrace stimulates the senses, with a central water feature as the cherry on top. Group Head Chef, Amber-May Deetlefs delivers her culinary philosophy in her unique Italian style, “I believe the best food is prepared from the heart – it not only has to taste good, it should be something sincere and uncomplicated”.

A first for Cape Town, in collaboration with Cape Town’s Goodman Gallery, the walls of Blanko will feature work from some of South Africa’s greatest contemporary artists. Founder and MD of the Kove Collection, Paul Kovensky has a passion and appreciation of art which is evident in every aspect of Blanko. And the restaurant’s white interiors provide the perfect canvas to compliment great art. Artists who will be featured include Diane Victor, David Goldblatt, William Kentridge, Brett Murray, Michael Savitsky, Robert Hodgins and Walter Oltmann.

Kovensky is excited about the opportunity, “The current social “buzz” in Cape Town, paired with the locals need for exciting new places to eat, Blanko is the ideal concept for foodies & families. We believe Blanko’s contemporary concept provides a charming contrast and antidote to the “old world” architecture and ambience of the Alphen Hotel, bringing a breath of fresh air to the neighbourhood. We’ve always placed a high value on offering our guests the best, most memorable experience possible. And Blanko is simply a natural evolution of this”.

Blanko is an all-day affair – so come, stay and enjoy. Open daily 12noon-10h30pm for lunch and dinner, for reservations call 021 795 6300.

south african model, roxy louw turns 29!

Last week I was invited to attend my dear friend, South African model, Roxy Louw‘s 29th birthday party in Cape Town. A low-key celebration, with some big names in South African entertainment, the guest list included tv presenters Jeannie D, Siv Ngesi and Liezel van der Westhuizen to name a few, though it was certainly a family and friends affair with Roxy’s entire family in attendance as well as close family friends. It was a festive evening as guests enjoyed drinks, snacks and of cause the birthday cake was a treat!

Blazing her own trail, Roxy has become a well know celebrity figure in South Africa, with features and covers for magazines such as FHM, Maxim, Sports Illustrated with both local and international prints. Lately, among other business endeavours, she has been spending some time globe-trotting as she showcased Charmaine Taylor’s Legacy Collection jewellery line to an international audience. Happy birthday Rox!

shine / skitter magazine’s 2015 launch gala in cape town

How often do you get to spend the evening with 4 beautiful cover-girls? Okay, these cover-girls happen to be dear friends of mine and I was lucky enough to scoop an invitation to the Cape Town launch of  Shine/Skitter Magazine last Tuesday, 24 Novermber 2015, after they dazzled Johannesburg the previous week showcasing their covers. Shine/Skitter Magazine is one of South Africa’s most prestigious glossy luxury magazines and this year they featured four of SA’s top personalities, each with their own cover; Top Billing TV Magazine Show’s Jade Hubner, Afternoon Express Show’s Bonnie Mbuli as well as Expresso Show Morning Show’s Leigh-Anne Williams and Zoë Brown. Certainly an evening to remember, guests were shuttled in style by Mercedes-Benz and offered a delicious glass of Graham Beck champagne upon arrival. Celebrity and media guests included TV personality Tanya Nefdt, comedian Angel Campey, blogger Jasna Zellerhoff as well as Khanya Siyengo and food blogger Ilse Fourie.

Treated to delicious canapés while we waited for the guests of honour to arrive, the stunning Mercedes-Benz showroom showcased some high-end cars to admire and dream about owning. It was a spectacular evening and even included some surprise prizes including luxurious skincare, fragrances and diamonds!

craig port spring/summer 2015 men’s swimwear launch

As we usher in a new summer in Cape Town, South African fashion designer Craig Port hosted his much anticipated Spring/Summer Men’s Swimwear Collection in association with South African Menswear Week at The Glen Boutique Hotel & Spa in Sea Point, Cape Town. It was a poolside affair with guests including tv personalities Ewan Strydom (who joined the boys on the ramp strutting his stuff), Leigh-Anne Williams and Kia Johnson as well as model/presenter Tyrone Nell, fashion bloggers Jasna Zellerhoff and Clouds Drummond and of cause myself. Welcomed with an Aperol Spritz, we were all serenaded by Acoustic Element who set the tone for a sweltering afternoon to celebrate the official opening of the summer swimwear season.

Fashion Producer Jen Denier and Craig Port worked together to create a swimwear display that few will soon forget. Superstars from BOSS Models were cast to join the #PORTSQUAD and strut their stuff around the venue before congregating for the shows-topping finale were Zolani Mahola from Freshly Ground treated guests to a surprise performance.

With models, swimwear and poolside boutique hotel setting, it was the perfect way to enjoy a summer’s day and of cause some eye-candy (for those interested *wink*).

upcoming: veuve clicquot masters polo 2015 (Cape Town) – 7 March 2015

Unmistakably one of the most prestigious events on the global social calendar, the Veuve Clicquot Masters Polo Tournament takes place in just a few days, 7 March 2015. In association with Bently SA and Vivid Luxury, Cape Town will play host to it’s 5th Annual Veuve Cliquot Masters Polo event at Val de Vie Estate. Over the years, I have had the pleasure of being invited as a guest to celebrate along with some of SA’s biggest and most beloved celebrities including actress Natalie Becker, TV personalities Jeannie D, Cindy Nell, Jo-Ann Strauss and Jennifer Su as well as music and fashion icons such as LCNVL and David Tlale. A highlight this year is that media mogul and TV personality Bonang Matheba will be making an appearance! With no expense spared, it certainly is an event like none other.

Enjoy an afternoon of unparalleled champagne, food and an incredible fashion show by Jenni Button.

Tickets are available via Computicket (hurry, you don’t want to miss this one!):

Veuve Clicquot Picnic – R150.00 p/p

Veuve Clicquot Garden – R850.00 p/p

Veuve Clicquot Grarden Deluxe (upon request) – R3500 p/p

made for the mix – j&b met 2015

Certainly a highlight every year, the J&B Met 2015 took place at Kenilworth Racecourse on 29 Jan 2015, but the festivities started the day before for me and a few friends. The amazing folks at African Pride Hotels graciously invited me to spend the weekend at their luxurious 15 on Orange Hotel. The J&B Met 2015 saw hundreds of horse-racing and fashion enthusiasts join some of South Africa’s most celebrated personalities enjoy an afternoon of entertainment. I was joined by talk show host Khanyi Mbau, media personality Jen Su, comedian Siv Ngesi, actress Boity Thulo, TV personality Leigh-Anne Williams, TV personality Maps Maponyane, media personality Lalla Hirayama and so many more at the exclusive J&B Met Main VVIP Marquee to enjoy amazing food and entertainment. With so much happening all at the same time, we wondered off to the prestigious Racing It’s A Rush VIP Marquee to spend some time mingling with Cindy Nell, Liezel van der Westhuizen and many more. The fashion was incredible and fantastically imaginative with best dressed couple prizes and entertainment by MiCasa. Thank you Hilton Weiner for dressing me to J&B Met 2015.

Da L.E.S is set to take the nation by storm

South African Hip Hop star, Da L.E.S will embark on a nationwide tour from January to February 2015, bringing his hit album, Mandela Money, to fans this Friday in Cape Town at COCO, 30 January. The album, which features such smash hits as Fire, Heaven feat. AKA and Magz, and the chart-topping Dice, has dominated airwaves since its release, and has re-defined the standard of local Hip Hop, being lauded as one of the finest African Hip Hop albums of the decade. Also on the bill with Da L.E.S. will be a rotation of friends, including top DJ talents Dimplez, Zee and Milksake.

“Mandela Money is an album like no other – I’ve taken my sound to a whole new level and, performance-wise, I can’t wait to bring my energy to my fans around S.A.,” says Da L.E.S.

“CÎROC is proud to present the Mandela Money Music Tour, which will see this talented member of the CÎROC Circle bringing his dynamic performance style to his masses of fans around SA,” says Avukile Mabombo, brandhouse Reserve Marketing Manager.

The annual All White Pool Party, hosted by one of South Africa’s foremost Hip Hop star, Da L.E.S, has become a coveted fixture on every Johannesburg A-Lister’s social calendar, and this year was no different. This ultra-exclusive, invitation-only celebration – now in its 6th consecutive year – took place on the weekend and featured electrifying performances by several of SA’s most magnetic talents. The day’s incredible entertainment performances by Da L.E.S himself, Nigerian Reggae-Dancehall sensation Burna Boy, AKA and Anatii as well as DJs Milkshake, Speedsta and fellow CÎROC Circle member, DJ Dimplez. Also spotted at the All White Pool Party were singer Tamara Dey, 5FM’s Poppy Ntshongwana, Shashi Naidoo, Bonang Matheba and David Tlale (both of whom are also part of the CÎROC Circle), amongst others.

“My annual All White Pool Party is about celebrating success and living the dream. This year my guests enjoyed a glamorous and high-energy CÎROC style experience to kick off 2015, a year in which I believe my career is set to rise to even greater heights – with the release of my new video for Dice and my upcoming nation-wide album tour for Mandela Money,” says Da L.E.S.

Along with performances of the song “Fire” and “All Eyes On Me” feat. Burna Boy, the event also saw the release of Da L.E.S’s new video for the song “Dice”, shot late last year in Los Angeles, California.

calvin klein arrives in cape town in style

A fashion brand that needs absolutely no introduction, Calvin Klein opened it’s doors in Cape Town, South Africa in November 2014 with a soiree to rival all others. SA’s top celebrities and socialites including Cosmopolitan Magazine SA‘s Sexiest Man 2014 & TV Personality Jonathan Boynton-Lee, TV personality Maps Maponyane and Syfy Channel‘s ‘Dominion‘ actress Kim Engelbrecht took to the red carpet at this prestigious launch event. With mouth watering hors d’oevres, champagne and wine to celebrate, I was delighted to see so many friends and familiar faces including JP Duminy with his gorgeous wife Sue Duminy, Cindy Nell, Catriona Andrew, Ty Keogh, Tanya van Graan with her husband Kasper Kristoffersen, Tammy B, Bjorn Steinbach, Roxy Louw and, always willing to help with anything, comedian Anne Hirsch showed me around the store (pics on Denzil Jacobs Photography Facebook Page tomorrow). It certainly was a spectacular evening and after taking a look around the store, it’s all about casual chic for men and women (jeans starting at around R1800.00 per pair) all the way to formal suiting for men and everyone’s favourite, Calvin Klein underwear for men an women. All current ranges on par with what you’d find at CK globally.

Stop by at Calvin Klein at V&A Waterfront and pick up a little something CK… you know you want to!

the 154th annual l’ormarins queen’s plate

Without a doubt the event I look forward to most in January each year, the prestigious and ever elegant 154th L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate took place last week in Cape Town. I was graciously invited and immediately made my way to Hilton Weiner to discuss outfit options, as this event’s dress-code is strictly blue and white. As always, the kind folks at Hilton Weiner prepared a few options for me and you can see what we ended up with on my Facebook Page, but back to the event itself.

No surprise, South Africa’s favourite personalities donned their finest blue & white, not forgetting intricate fascinators and hats, as the races and betting got underway. In the indulgent Stud Club Marquee, guests included Bonang Matheba (wearing Gert-Johan Coetzee), Nthato Mashishi, Jo-Ann Strauss (wearing Stefania Morland), Cindy Nell, Natalie Becker, Jimmy Nevis, Ryk Neethling (with his gorgeous lady), Liezel van der Westhuizen and the ever dapper Mr Maps Maponyane, just to name a few! Socialites socialized, horse-racing enthusiasts placed bets and I, well I enjoyed an afternoon with some amazing people and friends, getting to do what I love most, take photographs. I think what’s most appealing about this event is the simple elegance of it all, it’s Hampton’s style in Cape Town with amazing food and drink and even more amazing company. No frills, just effortless style. This was my fourth consecutive LQP, and it remains a firm favorite. Don’t ask me about the races tho, I don’t remember seeing any horses *wink*!

Check in at Denzil Jacobs Photography on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to follow me and for more photographs from LQP.

Special thanks to CSA PR for the invitation and Hilton Weiner SA for dressing me.

 

star-studded ‘ciroc circle’ celebration at shimmy beach in cape town

The CÎROC Circle was welcomed in style as David Tlale, magnetic fashionista Bonang Matheba, trail-blazing Hip Hop artist Da L.E.S and Top 40 hit-maker DJ Dimplez, ushered in a new era for Ciroc in South Africa. It was certainly a luxurious celebration set against the fantastic summer Shimmy Beach Club backdrop. With unbelievably delicious canapés, sushi and decadent CÎROC Vodka cocktails, guests including some of Cape Town’s most loved trend-setters and celebs including Nthato Mashishi and Tracey Lange were treated to an unforgettable summer’s after. Shimmy Beach Club, Cape Town’s premier summer destination hosts it’s very own CÎROC Circle Bar area that is not to be missed out on this season. Soak up the sun next to the pool area with a cocktail in the CÎROC Bar area this season with all your friends. Contact Shimmy Beach for more! See you there!

Special thanks to CSA PR for the invitation as well as Levi’s SA and Hilton Weiner for dressing me.