Mille Collines x Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Africa 2014

 “Nyamijyosi is one of Kigali’s most vibrant and interesting neighbourhoods. It’s a big place with the main part bordering the city and ‘deep’ Nyamijyosi (also referred to as Gangster’s Paradise) stretching all the way up the hills into the distance. Unlike the rest of the city, which seems to shut down at 8pm, it hustles and bustles late into the night.”

This is how Inés Cuatrecasas, one of the designers behind millecollines, describes Nyamijyosi, the colourful neighbourhood that inspired their spring/summer 2015 collection. “Our inspiration comes from its main street that is packed with small, quirky shops full of colour and music. The people there are extremely creative entrepreneurs and know their way around. They are also known for being the most fashion-forward in the city. There is a big sense of belonging and pride.”

This spirited sense of Africa was evident yesterday evening when Cuatrecasas and her business partner, Marc Oliver, introduced South Africa to their spring/summer 2015 designs at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Africa (MBFWA) in Johannesburg, which included a sneak peak at their debut menswear collection.

The show focused on their first street line, which the duo describes as bold, fresh and alive, and the shapes as simple and relaxed. “As we move to formal and eveningwear, the focus moves to texture and shapes that echo the buzz on the streets,” explains Cuatrecasas. The textures too are taken from the streets where coarse concrete walls and dirt roads contrast with smooth metal doors and plastic and glass. The fabrics therefore are an eclectic mix of leather, micro twills, scuba, chiffon and crêpe.

The fun and bold necklaces, bracelets and handbags seen at the show are from the millecollines range of accessories and were specially designed as an extension of Nyamijyosi and crafted from similarly unexpected materials.

In an exciting move, millecollines had collaborated with Johannesburg milliners Simon and Mary, and Sk8 Shades, Dave de Witt’s attention- grabbing sunglasses handmade from recycled skateboards, for MBFWA. Millecollines collaborated with Maria McCloy Accessories that supplied African sandals known as Izimbadada to complement their menswear collection for this season. Millecollines also collaborated with Rage pairing shoes from their SS14 collection titled ‘The Heatwave’ to compliment the millecollines womenswear.

Since the two designers arrived in Kigali from Barcelona in 2005 – “We were 23 years old and all we had was optimism, hope and energy to follow a dream” – millecollines, established in 2009, has grown and now collaborates with 270 local artisans working with raffia, tin, horn, embroidery, crystal and aluminium. Their goal is to establish an African fashion brand that produces fashion that is distinctly African to international standards.

This global viewpoint defines who they design for: “A woman who is not afraid of a world that is changing, who believes that we achieve a new and richer expression of wealth through our diversity. She values a unique, handmade, and high quality product. Africa lives in her.”

The spring/summer 2015 collection, Nyamijyosi will be available at millecollines’ online shop toward the end of this year and a South African store is in the pipeline. Alternatively, contact sales@millecollines.es or info@millecollines.es for orders.

See complete collection HERE

From The Desk of: Jenna McArthur PR |  Jenna McArthur | jenna@jennamcarthur.com

Media Release : Henriette Botha A/W14 Collection: The Fall

Cape Town, 5 June 2014 – Johannesburg-based jewellery designer Henriette Botha has launched her A/W14 collection called The Fall. The range is made up of beautifully handcrafted pieces that combine bold, colourful beadwork; semiprecious stones, gold- and silver-plated brass, laser-cut detailing and crocheting.

With The Fall Botha has stayed true to her bold aesthetic and modern approach to traditional African jewellery through her signature use of brass and bamboo combined with unusual materials. The designs are made fresh and contemporary by incorporating nuances from a kaleidoscope of cultures. Each piece is rich in history with African, South American and Indian influences as well as elements inspired by nature.

Designs range from chunky statement pieces for the fearless woman to dainty and feminine necklaces and bracelets that have a subtler strength. Each item in the collection can hold its own and can be worn as a standout piece or piled on and stacked to bring the layering trend to accessorizing. Rich gold, black, oxblood and dark blues and purples infuse the designs with warmth.

This use of bold colour and Botha’s attention to detail put accessorizing in a whole new light. The range is perfectly suited to the new season’s approach to accessorisng: bold and colourful pieces with an Afrocentric edge.

‘I design for bold, fearless women who are not afraid to express themselves, women who appreciate beauty. I constantly try to push boundaries.’ Shop Henriette Botha’s A/W14 collection at www.henriettebotha.com

From The Desk Of:  Jenna McArthur| www.jennamcarthur.com | jenna@jennamcarthur.com

Media Release: Cinnamon S/S 13 Collection

Cinnamon is brand is owned by Jo'burg based Frances Koep Edwards who produces beautifully made flats. What makes these unique is that every pair is handmade and produced in South Africa. Cinnamon's are stylish with a focus on quality, made from leather, suede, linen and other fabrics that will make your heart sing. They are not mass-produced and won't break the bank either!

Something that sets Cinnamon apart is their commitment to giving back. Cinnamon supports Nkhensani that works with abused and abandoned orphans. If you pop a pair of worn (but still good) children’s shoes in the courier bag when you buy shoes online, you’ll get 15% discount on your pair and they will donate the shoes to Nkhensani Orphanage. 

Happy Shopping!

From The Desk of: Jenna McArthur | Jenna McArthur PR | jenna@jennamcarthur.com

ELLE’s 2013 Rising Star Finalists

You have read all about the ELLE magazine South Africa Rising Star in partnership with Mr Price. These are the eight finalists who have made it to the next round of the intensive competition. Based on the judging criteria one of them will be a rising star and the rest will be back to their sketchbooks. Not so rising.

It is all and well they managed to WOW the judges with the tales of their inspiration and sketches. Now they will have to give their collection life, make it walk and make it sell. It will need to be sell-able, appeal to a certain target market but most of all, the designers have to know the business of fashion (business plan, funding e.t.c) and everything in between. This is what this competition is about. Although it says ‘Rising Star’ do not be fooled by the name. To be part of it and make it this far there must be something amazing about your actual design skill and be in possession of some fierce business acumen!

Read the finalists stories and collection inspiration HERE

There can only be ONE WINNER so you best deliver Smazing work.