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My Favourite Moments & Designers from SAFW AW18 – October 2017

Firstly, I need to express my gratitude to all the organisers and the lovely ladies at SAFW. Thank you for everything.

Now to get to my favourite moments…

This season I attended the New Talent Judging Ceremony on Diamond Walk – Sandton City

Enjoyed listening to the up-and-coming designers talking about where they pull inspiration from, where they started and the goals they have.

Being able to discuss their aspirations with them and their feelings, about show-casing their collections at SAFW, was exceptional.

Interviewed two of my favourite young designers at this event, IPIKOKO and LUI LUI.

Listening to the ideas behind each of their garments, and the collection in its entirety, is what truly makes you appreciate the designs even more.

I thought designers just went off a muse that inspires them to create an incredible piece suited to a specific type of woman, but after talking to designers about not even have a particular muse, but an incredibly moving idea behind dressing woman the way that they should see themselves, unapologetic and fierce!

It inspires me to appreciate the curves and edges of my body, to dress the way I want to, for me.

AJKP Collective

Attending the exclusive preview of the AKJP Collective, at The SMAC Gallery in Rosebank, was a real treat! It was such a perfect display of art.

Art in its creative form, with paintings & decorative pieces, and then in the form of Fashion, of course. It was like a beautiful visually fulfilling event.

The First Show

Attending fashion week is such an out-of-mind experience! Seeing the stunning and creative attendees and seeing the venue FILLED with great places to shoot some pics! So artistically displaying the textures and creativity behind each setup.

I loved the wool displays in the lounging area and even though those little fibres attacked absolutely everyone, it was a visually perfect dream. Seriously though, nobody was safe.

Trade Event

The last time I attended the Trade Event, I felt a little bit out of place. Not completely sure how interactive I was allowed to be with the designers so this season felt a lot more comfortable for me.

Dressed by a Designer

Something feels somewhat snazzy about saying that out loud, and rightfully so. Having the honour of wearing something designed to showcase the intricate creative talent of a designer.

There are a few things that are extremely daunting about it though…

Firstly it was made for a typical model sized figure… And not sure if I need to say this, but I certainly am not one! But Alas! It fitted! Like a glove actually, thank goodness for fabric with a little give.

Secondly, this is not only a one of a kind garment, but also priceless… If I were to tarnish, rip or lose any garment, I can’t just pop into a store and spend my life’s savings trying to get it back… there would be no coming back from it.

But the trust a designer needs to have to hand over their one of a kind garments is certainly important.

I felt incredible lucky and beautiful in my stunning IPIKOKO outfit.

I was also given the opportunity to wear some LUI LUI pieces but as it turns out, I am not model sized! Haha But hey, Jaime done such an incredible job at making me feel more empowered in myself. Why should I try to drop all the curves, when being a whole lot of woman is that much better!! Flaunting it HARD over here!

Thanks again to the two incredible designers, meeting each of you has been a highlight for me this season.

Gert-Johan Coetzee

I think the idea of sitting front row for GJC was always just something I wanted. So getting to be right there as the beautiful models float out onto the pink strip down the runway it was certainly a moment to remember. The models chosen for the garments were pretty close to perfect, the music, the vibe…. Everything just worked so well! The collection was on either end of the scale… some people were blown away and others were a little taken-aback because it wasn’t at all what they had expected.

Making Friends

Again, feeling slightly out of place last season, I wasn’t as chatty and comfortable as I was this season. I met a few incredibly down-to-earth individuals that made fashion week one to remember. There is so much superficiality in the fashion world, because people focus on all the wrong things. But when you meet people who just make you super comfortable in their company, it’s like a whole new experience of authenticity in a world of awesome.

Okay enough my babbling, these were some of my favourite collections..

Each designer has a signature style and I love how they each tried new things and some kept it pretty safe. I really enjoyed the fashion this season and it’s hard to choose favorites.