Thursday Sa Designer: Avant Apperal

Avant Apparel just launched its impressive first collection at Joburg Fashion Week. The labels designers are LISOF graduates Lauren du Plessis and Bailey Alison. Avant Apparel is a new sector of the fashion production company Gaschett, which was conceived as a complement to the principle of pushing the boundaries and bringing about unexpected and unique reactions. The line sports neutral colored, romantic, yet sexy apparel. Their clothes are for trend setters, but will make every woman look amazing! Avant Apparel is really turning head and triggering positive reactions

Wednesday Wishlist: Cloche Hat

As winter rolls around, cloche hats are a cute and classy way of keeping yourself warm and dry. This 1920s accessory can be worn classically or more modernly with ribbons, feathers, or rhinestones. Wool trim and dark colors fit well with winter outfits. Or try pairing it with our previous Wednesday Wishlist item, faux fur. Cloche hats are a beautifully retro way of spicing up your winter wardrobe!

Tuesday Trend: Fashionalbe Fringe

This season fringe is make a resurgence, however, it is taking on a more stylish, trendy note than the classic fringe. Black and metallic silver or gold tones stand out as the new style. The dresses can have bows, beading, and modern cuts. Flatter your figure even more with a waist clinching belt. Just like the models from New York Fashion Week, you will be looking amazing in fashionable fringe.

Monday Models: Dominique Piek

Dominique Piek was discovered by an agent from Storm in Johannesburg at the age of 13. Since then she has appeared in the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and Elle beauty. She also appeared at the 2011 New York Fashion Week. Dominique recently had a shoot for St. Johns in Los Angeles. Currently, this hot rising model travel between the United States and South Africa

Thursday SA Designer Spotlight: Ephraim Molingoana

Soweto native, Ephraim Molingoana became the first black model for Diesel and won 2 Cannes awards. He then created his own clothing label, Ephymol, in 2003. Ephymol has been featured at the SA Fashion Week Winter Collection in Johannesburg. Ephraim's designs are clean cut and focused on the texture, the fit, and the silhouette of each piece. He identifies his label as being for "modern men who are real men."

Wednesday Wishlist: Leather Backpack

Marc Jacobs

Burberry

Leather backpacks are the perfect way to compleet your look. They will make you look relaxed, yet cool and well put together. Both Marc Jacobs and Burberry have come out with perfect leather backpacks. You can even opt for vintage one. Blacks and browns are the best winter color choices for these male wardrobe necessities.

Tuesday Trend: Men's Suit Styles

2011's modern suit cuts will look great and feel amazing. Slim cut suits with broad shoulders, a slim waist, and slim trousers are hot right now! Single breasted suits are always on point, but this season modern, sleek, double breasted suits stun the crowd as well. This seasons primary suit cloths include wool, cotton, linen and even velvet. Stay fresh in these new suit trends!

Monday Models: Bryce Thompson

Bryce Thompson is an incredibly gorgeous South African model. His pictures started appearing on the internet in 2008. Since then he has appeared on the cover of Men's Health magazine 3 times. Bryce has been photographed by Michael Brus and by Rick Day. He has even begun exploring photography himself, check it out at brycethompson.net

DFS Spotlight Friday: DFS First Birthday!

We turn 1 year old this month! It is such an achievement, having showcased 20 new designers, over 11 shows, launched in Johannesburg, started distributing from Collage Fashion Deli on Long street, having partnered with Brandhouse and House of Monatic and also many other collaborations. This is our first birthday and our wish is for the DFS empire to have a rock-solid foundation in the past year's achievements. There are much more to achieve and we appreciate YOU for all your support.

Join us for our first birthday celebration on Saturday! From 3pm to 10pm we will be hosting a party at Collage Fashion Deli on Long St. Enjoy cupcakes, drinks, DJ's, and fashion all afternoon! We will also be announcing the winners of our Facebook birthday giveaways today, so stay tuned to our Facebook posts and mingle at the party! (www.facebook.com/designforstyle)

DFS Keeping you fashionably South African

Thursday SA Fashion Blog: Miss Molly

Fashion blogs are a creative and current way of exchanging ideas and exploring new looks. Miss Molly Fashions stands out as one of SA's leading and most interesting fashion blogs. Blogger Miss Molly is a fashion merchandiser, designer, and owner of the clothing label MM fashions. Her posts are varied yet vivid. Blog posts include fashion inspiration, original outfits, experimental photography, and even cute lunch spots. Miss Molly often has giveaways, the most recent one being a beautiful pair of Sass Diva earings. Be sure to check her blog out for you South Africa fashion interests! http://missmollyfashions.blogspot.com/

Wednesday Wishlist: Faux Fur Vests and Jackets

Not only does faux fur look, but it will keep you warm for winter! Faux fur vests and jackets are popping up everywhere and look amazing with almost anything. You can rock the look with leather pant and heels or keep it casual with long sleeve shirt, jeans, and boots. Faux fur can look elegant over a cute dress of boho over a tunic. Even try a vest with a belt over top. Don't hesitate to keep you look exciting by adding faux fur!

Tuesday Trend: Color Blocking

Brighten up your fall/winter look with color blocking! Use colors such as peach, teal, tangerine, and emerald to break up neutrals, browns, and blacks. Splurge on new color block items for you wardrobe like Jeffrey Campbell shoes, a Chloé bag, or a BCBG Max Azria dress. Or create your own color block look by piecing together tops, shorts/skirts, dresses, belts and bags from your own closet. Either way, you'll be looking fabulous!

Workshop This Weekend!

On the 16th April 2011, Design for Style will host a workshop for all up and coming designers who were formally part of DFS and new young designers who are interested in being part of DFS. The workshop theme is "Fashion in Context" which will cover various issues on South African Fashion understood within our own climate, economy, people, culture and style. The workshop will feature 3 prominent speakers within the SA Fashion Industry. The speakers will cover various topics under the Fashion in Context umbrella. All 3 speakers represent a different sector within the Fashion Industry providing an all round stimulating conversation and open forum for discussion. To be part of the discussion, rsvp to rsvp@designforstyle.co.za. There are limited spaces, so please dont hesitate to book with us soonest.

Venue: Uwe Koetter Jewellers
4th Floor, Amway House,
70 Dock Road, Foreshore

When: Saturday 16 April 2011, 9:30 for 10am and will continue till 12pm (noon)

Cost: R50 pp

Dress: Come dressed comfortably.

Other Information:
Refreshments are served after the workshop, which allows for further networking.
Please bring a notebook/diary to note important issues which may arise out of the debate/discussion.
Please report to your seats 10 minutes prior to the start of the workshop.

We hope to see you all there, so please do not hestitate to RSVP soon:)

DFS Keeping you Fashionably South African

Monday Models: Abayomi Buys

Copyright:Base Model Agency




Abayomi Buys is a South African born, international model. She can awe anyone with her stunning features and 182cm height. Abayomi has walked many runway shows, including Cape Town and Johannesburg fashion weeks. She also assisted during casting for Mozambique Fashion Week. Advertisements for Levi's and Edgar's also fill her resume. Keep your eyes out for this model on the rise!

DFS Friday: Clothing in Collage Fashion Deli

DFS clothing can currently be found in Collage Fashion Deli on Long St. This Afrocentric store targets the young and the creative. Trendy and avant-garde pieces fill deli fridges and Coke crates instead of clothing racks. Hanging inside the store is the DFS affiliated label Mili Jo. IVNMC, Akliviti, and a jewelry showcase will be sold in Collage Fashion Deli shortly.

Join DFS at Collage Fashion Deli (219-223 Long Street) on Saturday, April 16th for a fun, customer centered event! From 3pm to 10pm there will be live DJs, drinks, and designers whose labels are in the store. Have your photo taken on a red carpet in one of your favorite pieces. Come celebrate with us!

Fashion in Context

On the 16th April 2011, Design for Style will host a workshop for all up and coming designers who were formally part of DFS and new young designers who are interested in being part of DFS. The workshop theme is "Fashion in Context" which will cover various issues on South African Fashion understood within our own climate, economy, people, culture and style. The workshop will feature 3 prominent speakers within the SA Fashion Industry. The speakers will cover various topics under the Fashion in Context umbrella. All 3 speakers represent a different sector within the Fashion Industry providing an all round stimulating conversation and open forum for discussion. To be part of the discussion, rsvp to rsvp@designforstyle.co.za. There are limited spaces, so please dont hesitate to book with us soonest.

Venue: Uwe Koetter Jewellers
4th Floor, Amway House,
70 Dock Road, Foreshore

When: Saturday 16 April 2011, 9:30 for 10am and will continue till 12pm (noon)

Cost: R50 pp

Dress: Come dressed comfortably.

Other Information:
Refreshments are served after the workshop, which allows for further networking.
Please bring a notebook/diary to note important issues which may arise out of the debate/discussion.
Please report to your seats 10 minutes prior to the start of the workshop.

We hope to see you all there, so please do not hestitate to RSVP soon:)

DFS Keeping you Fashionably South African

Thursday SA Designer Spotlight: Thulare Monareng

After her childhood in Swaziland and Johannesburg, Thulare Monareng completed high school and university in the United State. She continued her studies in Belgium then moved to New York to manage the Novo Art Gallery in Manhattan, while earning a degree in fashion buying and merchandising at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Thulare Monareng moved back to South Africa where she designed and styled for the TV show “Backstage” and presented a runway show at South Africa Fashion Week. In 2002, Thulare won the “The Most Innovative Designer Award” at Cape Town Fashion Festival. She has also presented at the 2009 Arise Africa Fashion Week and her work has appeared in magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Elle, and O.

Currently, Thulare has a fun and colorful store on Long Street where she features African inspired clothing and international trends. Thulare's store, Fashion Collage Deli, is a must visit for anyone in Cape Town!

Thursday Random Rambles...

We are number one! We are number one! We turn 1 year old this month! It is such an achievement, having showcased 20 new designers, over 11 shows, launched in Johannesburg, started distributing from Collage Fashion Deli on Long street, having partnered with Brandhouse and House of Monatic and also many other collaborations. This is our first birthday and our wish is for the DFS empire to have a rock-solid foundation in the past year's achievements. There are much more to achieve and we appreciate YOU for all your support. Without YOU DFS will still just be our dream. Cheers to a great year of blood, sweat and tears and a year of great achievement! Looking forward for more to come! Happy Birthday to US!!!

To celebrate the DFS Birthday Month, we are giving away tons of prizes to our loyal DFS supporters. Over the next three weeks, we are taking everyone down memory lane with various questions and wall posts. If you would like to win any of our amazing DFS prizes, make sure that your DFS knowledge is up to scratch and that you vist our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/designforstyle).

DFS Keeping you fashionably South African

Wednesday Wishlist: Studio Cocoa Moon Art Jewelery

As artist and owner of Studio Cocoa Moon, Nancy Nichting creates jewelery masterpieces from pre-loved or repurposed objects. She designs necklaces and other accessories from driftwood, odd metal pieces, old photos, buckles, ties and vintage pieces. Studio Cocoa Moon's interesting and original pieces appeared in Joburg Fashion Week in February 2011. Adding these hot accessories will most definitely bring your outfit to life and give it an extra edge.

Tuesday Trend: African Print Dresses

African print dresses have been appearing on celebrities and all over 2011 runways (including L.A.M.B. and Oscar de la Renta). These exciting prints are beautifully eye catching and will make you stand out. Whether it be a brightly colored, multi-layered mini dress or a brown and black classic cut dress, African prints will look fabulous on you. Make one from your favorite fabric, snag one from a local designer, or pick one from the runway and start stunning in your print dress!

Monday Models: Joelle Kayembe

This stunning Congolese-born model grew up in Johannesburg from the age of 11. Joelle Kayembe began modeling as a teenager for Ice Model management posing in advertisements for brands like Foschini, Playtex, and Sprite Zero.

Since then, Joelle has made significant accomplishments such as being the first black model on the cover of South African Sports Illustrated magazine and becoming a finalist in the International Supermodel 2005 competition in China. She has even appeared in a Ludacris music video and as a suitcase model on "“Deal or No Deal.” We can't wait to see what new heights this sexy South African will reach!