MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK CAPE TOWN 2014 (ruald rheeder)

It always adds a little extra festiveness at AFI (African Fashion International) Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Cape Town when you see a few friend saunter down the catwalk, and Ruald Rheeder‘s floral inspired Spring/Summer 2014 collection included some of my favorite faces. Television and radio personality Leigh-Anne Williams, models Tyrone Nell, Brent Thompson (have you seen his recent Men’s Health SA cover???), another Men’s Health cover boy Ryan Botha (also co-owner of Point Break Fitness in Cape Town) showed off their beautifully toned bodies at Ruald’s show. The new boys on the block, The K2 Twins (Alex & Charlie Kotze) also made an appearance. Despite his selection of models, it was certainly Ruald’s bold choices in design and his ability to keep his eye on pulse of internationally trending fashion that kept the audience captivated. Hey Ruald… I need a new designer for Summer, hint, hint!!

Keeping to a simple neutral palette in his womenswear collection, Ruald’s expression of summer is epitomized by simple elegance. From light flowing evening dresses to trendy day wear and provocative swimwear, this collection, in my opinion lends itself to the 1950’s and 1960’s demure elegance and sophistication, which can be dressed up for a night out on the town.

Special thanks to CelebsSA. Also thanks to Levis Strauss SA and Ruald Rheeder for dressing me for the evening.

tommy hilfiger launches in cape town

International fashion label, Tommy Hilfiger recently opened it’s doors in Cape Town with a star studded launch event at their new V&A Waterfront store. Special guests including radio & television personalities Tracey Lange, Janez Vermeiren, Jennifer Su, Liezel van der Westhuizen and models Cindy Nell and Tanya van Graan were invited to be dressed by Tommy Hilfiger for this exclusive event. Guests invited to enjoy champagne, canapés and a special gift from Tommy Hilfiger included Ryan Botha, Vanessa Haywood, Roxy Louw, Sue Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Sherrin Davie, Jackie Wiese, Jacob Wiese, Clayton Morar, Sharlene Lawrence, Thandie Kupe, Jasna Zellerhoff and myself. Later, VIP guests were invited to celebrate further with Moët & Chandon champagne at the official after party at Shimmy Beach Club. In addition to an amazing launch and party, guests were treated to a personalized monogramed blanket by Tommy Hilfiger.

Special thanks to Marina Nestel for The Little Black Book PR.

the j&b met ‘sunglass hut inner circle’ vip experience

The annual J&B Met took place last Saturday at the Kenilworth Race Course where celebrities, hours-race enthusiast and fashionistas celebrated in style. This year, Sunglass Hut pulled out all the stops to create a VIP experience like no other at their Sunglass Hut Inner Circle VIP Marquee.

Jeannie D, as elegant as ever, enlisted the fashion expertise of Gert-Johan Coetzee to design her breathtaking ensemble. Miss South Africa 2011 Melinda Bam arrived with Mr South Africa 2011 Adriaan Bergh at her side, dressed by Peter Bondesio who designed her Miss Universe gown, “So proud to wear him, he always makes me feel like a princess,” says Melinda. Other celebrity guests included, actress Lee-Anne Summers wearing an elegant French Connection FCUK dress and Lee-Ann Liebenberg wearing a stunning Gavin Rajah ensemble.

Guests were spoiled at the Sunglass Hut tent, as champagne, canapé and deserts were served the entire day, with vibrant party music filling the air. Jennifer Su, dressed by Hip Hop Fashion with accessories by Joya Collection and Cindy Nell looked radiant while SABC3 Top Billing‘s Janez Vermeiren and Jonathan Boynton-Lee looked suave wearing classic aviators.

Television and radio personalities including Isidingo‘s Jay Anstey wearing a dragon-themed dress by Gert-Johan Coetzee, Boitumelo Thulo, Expresso Show‘s Graeme Richards, Tanya Nefdt and Ayanda Tini also dressed to the nines for this fashionable event.

Leigh-Anne Williams, in her second ensemble change for the day, looked spectacular in a little black number with feather detail, whilst model Lisa Cowley opted for a classic navy blue look.

Soccer players Ryan Botha and Matthew Booth,who arrived with his lovely wife Sonia  indulged in the afternoon’s spoils. Ty Keogh, dressed by Tiger of Sweden arrived with Nicole Flint dressed by Charlene Sauerman and The Wild co-star Keenan Arrison. Bringing a dash of colour, Brand Ambassadors PR owner, Thulane Hadebe added some spice to his Met-look. Katlego Maboe went for a fairy-tale interpretation of the ‘Made To Fly’ theme, with a Aladin inspired look and Brigitte Willers looked amazing in a white ensemble by Kobus Dippenaar with a petit fascinator to finish this elegant look.

It was all VIP treatment at the Sunglass Hut Inner Circle tent at the J&B Met as we all celebrated well into the evening.

Special thanks to Cavendish Square and Stuttafords for dressing me for this event as well as African Pride Hotels 15 on Orange Hotel for hosting me.

Special thanks to Sunglass Hut!

the ‘sunglass hut inner circle’ at the j&b met

The Sunglass Hut Inner Circle Met Marquee returns this year and is poised to be the place to be, and be seen, at the J&B Met. With the largest selection of designer sunglasses in South Africa, Natalie Becker, Janez Vermeiren, Jeannie D, Ty Keogh, Ayanda Tini and Ryan Botha were among a select group of celebrities who were spoiled for choice by Sunglass Hut yesterday. Offering brands including Prada, Ray Ban, Dolce & Gabbana and Persol, Sunglass Hut is the perfect destination to find that pair of sunnies to add the finishing touch to any Met look or ensemble.

Visit www.innercirclesunglasshut.co.za for details and to purchase your ticket for R1700 (which includes a R2000 Sunglass Hut gift voucher) to this exclusive marquee and rub shoulders with some of the biggest names in South Africa. Follow @SunglassHutSA on Twitter and use the hashtag #SunglassHutMET!

hugo boss event in cape town

It wasn’t only South African stars who came out to celebrate Hugo Boss last week in Cape Town at the party of the year, international actor and film star, Kevin Spacey made an appearance at this prestigious event. Joining Hugo Boss MD Christian Ender, South African A-Listers at the event included Olympic Gold Medalist Ryk Neethling, television personalities Liezel van der Westhuizen, Katlego Maboe, models Vanessa Haywood, Cindy Nell, Ryan Botha, Roxy Louw, Tracy McGregor, Gina Goldsmith, actresses Natalie Becker, Lee-Anne Summers, stylist Marilize de Clercq and socialites Sue Duminy, Sharlene Lawrence, Shirley Bell, Jackie Wiese, Thandie Kupe, Jasna Zellerhoff, Leigh van den Berg to name a few. In true Hugo Boss style, guests were treated to a spectacular fashion show featuring models from Cape Town based model agency, Full Circle Model Management, to compliment delicious canapés, champagne and haute couture.

Special thanks to The Little Black Book PR.

 

sunglass hut ‘out of the box’ in cape town

After dazzling Johannesburg, Sunglass Hut “Out Of The Box” arrived in Cape Town on Thursday, 29 November 2012 for an evening of glitz and glam! It was a star studded evening with guest including Cindy Nell, Janez Vermeiren, Natalie Becker, Thulane Hadebe, Liezel van der Westhuizen, Tanya van Graan, Clayton Morar, Ryan Botha, Irma G, Tanya Nefdt and more. I attended, dressed by Hilton Weiner, with my good friend, Thandie Kupe and after enjoying a glass of champagne upon arrival, the show began with a special performance by South African singing sensation Toya DeLazy. Guests were then invited to enter the ‘box’ to peruse and purchase some of the top sunglass brands including Prada, Burberry, Bvlgari, RayBan and Persol for an unique retail experience. The party continued for the rest of the evening in fine ‘Sunglass Hut’ style.

Visit www.innercirclesunglasshut.co.za for more information, or follow Sunglass Hut SA on Twitter.

grand hotel fabiani event

Fabiani hosted a Grand Hotel Fabiani event at their V&A Waterfront recently to celebrate their Summer 2012/2013 collection and treat their loyal customers to a night of fashion and entertainment. The Waterfront store was transformed into a scene from a European resort hotel, complete with faux grass, hotel and travel themed decor, and even a putting green. VIP guests including Matthew Booth, Ryan Botha, celebrity stylist Marilize de Clercq and VIP Fabiani customers were treated to Chivas whisky, Bos Ice Tea, San Pellegrino water, Wings Group chocolates and Daniela‘s decadent treats, with the entertaining modern jazz sounds of Rus Nerwich and the Collective Imagination.

Look out for the new look Fabiani store at Cavendish Square opening soon! Visit Fabiani for more info.

Special thanks to Vivid Luxury PR.

leigh-anne williams’ birthday party

Last night SABC3 Expresso Show presenter, Leigh-Anne Williams‘ friends and family dressed up as their favorite Grammy winning stars at her 30th birthday party at the Crystal Towers Hotel in Cape Town. The festivities started with a knock-out dance routine to Beyoncé’s “Crazy In Love” by Miss Williams. The MC for the evening, SeanO ensured that guests were entertained along with special guest singers including The Black Ties with lead singer Chad Saaiman. It was great to see Soccer player Ryan Botha with his girlfriend Gina Goldsmith, both looking their best for this glitzy event. Ryan Harrison, Clayton Morar, Jazna Zellerhoff, Jacinda Louw-Shutte, Emma King, Danine Naidoo and Karisa Nicholls with actor Bjorn Steinbach to name a few, were there to celebrate this occasion in style.

Later, Miss Williams entertained her guests one more time, this time performing to a medley of Beyoncé’s tracks just before the birthday cake was presented and everyone sang “Happy Birthday” including her Expresso co-host, Katlego Maboe. GoodHope FM‘s Ayanda Tini, Carl Wastie, Tracey Lange and Erin Li were dressed to the nines to the evenings theme. Taking time out of their busy schedules for Leigh-Anne, Lorna Maseko and Simba Mhere also made an appearance at the glamourous event.

Here’s a video of one of Leigh-Anne Williams‘ dance routines at her birthday party.

zando launch party in cape town

Zando, South Africa’s largest one-stop online fashion store launched earlier this year played host to celebrity guests including their ambassadors Jo-Ann Strauss and Ryan Botha at The Orphanage on Tuesday night. Offering local and international fashion brands for men and women ranging from accessories to shoes and apparel, Zando also offers free 24 hour delivery anywhere within South Africa. With a variety of payment options, including ‘cash on delivery’ to certain areas, Zando is set to change the way you shop for that perfect ensemble or accessory. It was a night of fashion and glamor with Liezel van der Westhuizen, Lisa Cowel, Jeremy de Tolly, Anthea Scholtz, Dom Peters, Tracy Paulucci de Calboli, Sammy Guinness, Leigh van den Berg, Elrico Bellingan and Dean Feul as Eugen Petersen introduced Zando.

zando online fashion store launches in sa

Recently launched, Zando is a one-stop online shop for all things fashion with a wide variety of local and international brands including Rocco Cavalli, Havaianas, Jorge, Zoom, Le Coq Sportif and Sass to name a few. Zando offers shoes, bags, accessories and apparel for men and women and deliver to anywhere in South Africa. Jo-Ann Strauss and Ryan Botha join the Zando family to showcase some of their favorite must-have items available at zando.co.za. With impeccable style, Jo-Ann selects a chic Lipsy Bow Detail Mac Jacket which can be paired with leggings and ballerina pumps for a more casual look or Add a pair of skinny jeans and platforms to take the look from day to night. Soccer star, Ryan selects Levi’s Amigo Ankle Boots with a rustic-look which will keep you looking trendy throughout the winter season. See their entire must-have selections at zando.co.za and make your choice.

Stand a chance at winning a R100 Zando Gift Voucher – Tell me why you love Zando.co.za! Tweet me at @denziljacobs with the reason you love Zando (include #Zando) or email me at denzil.jacobs@me.com to enter. Two winners per day for 5 days will be announced on Twitter & Facebook. Follow Zando on Twitter for their latest fashion updates.