Media Release: David Tlale Brings Feminine Allure Back Home At Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Africa 2014

Fresh off the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week runway, celebrated South African designer David Tlale will soon present his critically acclaimed collection, titled Feminine Allure, when he takes to the runway on 01 November during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week AFRICA.

On Saturday, 01 November, Tlale will send down the runway a collection that celebrates the modern African woman, with strong African traces coming through his collection, using the colourful and outspoken Vlisco prints, which is complemented by his ultra-feminine dresses in hues of paradise peach.

“This collection is about giving women back their power and equipping them with a strong sense of allure, without losing their essence and femininity,” says Tlale.  

The lines are fitted, yet structured with playful pattern engineering to accommodate architectural elements.  The waistlines are cinched, while the silhouettes go from full volumes to pencil cuts. As such, the collection fuses modern style with a retrospective look to the 50s, 60s and 70s.

“It is a celebration of a woman who’s not afraid to show her soft feminine side and yet still dares to be bold and command attention,” adds Tlale.

Tlale’s choice of fabric is always chosen with a fine eye to detail and flow. His partnership with the Dutch fashion textile brand Vlisco, has proven to be a winning formula.

Speaking on behalf of Vlisco, Roger Gerards, Creative Director said, “Our collaboration with David Tlale is meant to be as he understands the true craft of our fabrics and translates that perfectly into extraordinary creations.”

In addition to the Vlisco prints he embellished, Tlale used Egyptian cotton, wool crepe, silk crepe, brocade, silk raffia, gold lamé, chiffon, and PVC throughout his collection.

The overall collection oozes luxury, opulence and sexiness with elements of heritage coming through in celebration of the nouveau African woman.

In addition to introducing his Feminine Allure collection, Tlale will also use this opportunity to celebrate his partnership with CÎROC Ultra-Premium Vodka. This partnership sees him joining an international cast of top talents from across a full luxury lifestyle spectrum – ranging from couture, to music and film – on the CÎROC stage.

“CÎROC Ultra Premium Vodka embodies success, charisma and vibrancy, and is about “living the dream.” It is known for drawing top talents to its stage and we are delighted that David is joining the impressive list of professionals who mirror what CÎROC stands for.  We are excited to celebrate his achievements and showcase his progress on our platforms,” says Dominic Mearing, Head of Reserve.

As he presents this collection, Tlale is also happy to announce two great accolades that have come his way.

On 15 November, Tlale will be in New York City to accept one of his greatest awards, the Fashion Designer of the Year Award, presented by Applause Magazine at the African Diaspora Awards this November. This event honours top performing Africans who are making their mark on the global platform. Former recipients include the likes of Angelique Kidjo, Les Nubians, Liya Kebede and others.

In the same week, Tlale will receive yet another honour, when he accepts the African Icon of Hope Award during the African Fashion and Design Week in Nigeria.

“I’m absolutely blown away by all this recognition. I’m deeply humbled by all the love I’m getting from home. We live in a beautiful rich continent filled with plenty of inspiration. It’s important that we don’t let our history; our past and our hardships define who we are. We must to continue to tell the African story in the best way we know and paint the beautiful picture of our Motherland as authentically as we can through our creative mediums. Nobody can tell it better than we can,” says Tlale.

From The Desk of: Vista Kalipa | On-Point PR |  vista@onpointpr.co.za | 0114826155

Day 2: Nedbank Partners With Artists x Grahamstown National Arts Festival 2014

As ya’ll know I am down here in G-Town seeking to overdose on everything art. Spent the afternoon of my day 2 with the NEDBANK team at their #WarmerWinter month-long campaign closing ceremony. Which was held at The Graham hotel. 

“Painting, expressive dance and blankets merged in Grahamstown when six artists from the Living Artist Emporium unveiled a spectacular series of paintings around the theme “Make A Warmer Winter Happen” to raise funds for Nedbank’s Winter Campaign, which has been donating blankets to orphaned and vulnerable children, women and the elderly across the country during the month of June.

The 10 paintings by six artists from Johannesburg's Living Artist were unveiled during a mesmerizing performance by dancers of the esteemed First Physical Theatre, hosted by TV personality Bridget Masinga and attended by various stakeholders including media, government and NGO representatives. Dancers from the National School of the Arts, which is also sponsored by the Nedbank Arts Affinity programme, performed a piece of classical ballet around the theme of winter’s cold.– On-Point PR media release.

After the closing ceremony, off to dinner we went in order to be able to catch the 8pm theatre production of choice.

Media Release: Fundudzi By Craig Jacobs Takes Off To Honour 20 Years Of Democracy

South Africa’s leading ethical fashion label to present its forthcoming Spring/Summer 2014 collection at Airports Company South Africa’s flagship O.R. Tambo International Airport in the city of Ekurhuleni.

In a first for South Africa, O.R. Tambo International Airport in the city of Ekurhuleni will host a moving collection from Fundudzi by Craig Jacobs paying homage to the seven thousand, three hundred and five days since South Africa’s first democratic elections.

In association with Airports Company South Africa, the collection, titled Freedom20 will be presented on Saturday April 5^th at O.R. Tambo International Airport’s International Viewing Deck.

Set against the backdrop of the recently unveiled Oliver Reginald Tambo Memorial Exhibition, the event will see the label under the direction of Craig Jacobs draw inspiration from movement, change and the iconic symbols reflecting post-apartheid South Africa.

The spring summer 2014 collection marks Jacobs’ second off-site presentation as part of the SA Fashion Week calendar and he said the venue, which cements the city of Ekurhuleni’s title as Africa’s first Aerotropolis, was a natural choice.

“In 1994, I cast my vote 14000 miles in a foreign land, and I remember wondering what it must feel like to be free in the country of my birth. It was only four years later, when I touched down on the tarmac at this very airport and I felt the warmth and openness I never remembered in my childhood that I could truly understand what freedom really means,” he said.

“O.R. Tambo International Airport is immensely proud to be associated with an event of this calibre. Our Oliver Reginald Tambo Memorial Exhibition serves as the perfect venue as it honours Oliver Tambo, who is one of the stalwarts whose sacrifices led to South Africa being able to celebrate these 20 years of freedom”, added Unathi Batyashe-Fillis, spokesperson for O.R. Tambo International Airport.

Freedom20 sees chic French luxury cosmetic house Lancôme provide the distinctive makeup looks for the collection, with the iconic New York nail salon brand essie adding its evocative and whimsical range of colours to the models’ nails.

Shoes are provided by Galago, the handcrafted mix and match designer sandals fashioned and inspired by Africa.

The invitation-only event, which will see 250 dignitaries and VIPs rub shoulders with South Africa’s leading celebrities, fashionistas and media, is produced by Sty(list)A events with Event Alchemy providing on-site logistics and GRP/cr8 handling show production. The soundtrack to the show is produced by Naked DJ.

From The Desk Of: Nicole Ogle | nicole@onpointpr.co.za |  On-Point PR | 011 482 6155