See fashion, buy fashion at Sanlam SA Fashion Week

11 Jul '08

4 min read

Winter's chill may still be in the air but the fashion set are already anticipating the first flush of spring and the coming of the local calendar's hottest fashion event - the Sanlam SA Fashion Week's 08/09 Spring/Summer Collections from 27 - 30 August at the Sandton Convention Centre.

As can be expected, the designer line-up is a cutting-edge blend of the country's favourite design talents including Abigail Betz, Story, Mantsho, Stoned Cherrie, Clive Rundle, House of Olè and Terrence Bray shot through with exciting new names and brands such as NN Vintage by Nhlahla Nciza, Athi Patra Ruga and Diamond Face Couture, the recently formed collaboration between designer Gert-Johan Coetzee and high-profile businesswoman, Uyanda Mbuli.

Programme highlights include the collaboration between the AuDITIONS international gold collection and celebrated floral couturiers, Franz Gräbe and Coenie Hatting that will fuse art, jewellery, flower and fashion design in a show featuring sixteen haute couture gold pieces from AngloGold Ashanti's AuDITIONS collections accessorised with sixteen organic flower dresses, as well as the Five Roses show where Hermanna Rush, Mantsho and Miss Scarlett will each incorporate one-off designer dress that captures the brand's essence, in their collection.

Other sponsors that will be associated with designer collections are Magnum who will be collaborating with KLUCK CGDT and Japanese cult car brand, Subaru who has come on board with Lunar.

Added to the mix is SSAFW's biggest-ever designer retail space where the public will be able to get first dibs on their favourite designer's best pieces straight off the runway. Discerning shoppers wanting to stretch their summer wardrobe budget with a few key purchases will be spoilt for choice with over 120 stalls selling the season's most delectable garments, accessories, jewellery and shoes.

The retail floor will also include a bespoke Menswear Lounge with ranges by both new and established menswear designers as well as the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) stand which will offer the full range of fashion products designed and produced exclusively as part of the DAC Fashion Fusion collaboration between crafters and designers. The SODA range, SSAFW's own in-house range of designer/crafter garments and accessories developed by Anna-Marie Pretorius and Izanne Vorster, which is a spin-off collection from the DAC project, will also be available for sale.

The Elle New Talent show which annually announces the country's brightest new kids on the design block, will again kick of the summer collections. This year Elle has teamed up with Mr. Price with the result that the winning designer will get the opportunity to design a commercial range under the mentorship of Mr. Price in addition to the customary prize of a full collection show at next year's SSAFW 2009/10 summer collections.