All I can say is WOW, I had the best time eva! 

Firstly, arriving VIP (no ques), then getting handed a Guess goodies bag, filled with Guess sunglasses, Maybellene mascara, Redken hair products, the latest Elle magazine, a Guess cell phone icon and a Guess CD, I was in total paradise.

As Elio Rossi (hopefully to be voted one of S.A’s most stylish people) and I started making I way up the spiral staircase, we entered into a darkened door and were met with a sea of beautiful, stylish people.  The “fashionistas” of Jozi. 

Being overwhelmed by the atmosphere and asked to pose against a life size Guess sign, I was truly in my element.  I decided to do a 360 screening of the area and pick the latest trends. 

The girls were definitely keeping it conservative, when it came to colour, with alot of monochrome colours and short cocktail dresses – keeping it simple and sexy. The guys were generally very edgy with skinny black ties and a punk rock feel.

(Elio Rossi – Keeping it Simple and Sexy)

Meeting up with “P” (Palesa) from the Samsung blog team, she handed me the Samsung U700 phone and said it was mine for the night! Yes, its true, I was in awe…..

After writing my first post for the Samsung blog, about the trends I had noticed, I dedcided to do some scouting on trends. What fun!  I bumped into my friend from LISOF Miss Catherine, who won the Elle New Talent competition 3 years ago and is now working for guess, see below.

(Catherine – from Guess)

Passing through the crowds in VIP, trying so hard to concerntrate and be professional, whilst having an overwhelming feeling of excitement building, with the thought of the show, I recognised a familiar face, yes it was Lindie, from Marion and Lindie.  What a divine and friendly woman…. a creative genius…..

(Lindie – from Marion and Lindie)

Yip, then there he was, the man of the evening, “Scott”, from Guess – Head honcho……

(Scott – from Guess)

Out of the crowd, I hear my name being called and it was Anita Buttow, one of my best friends and a fabulous designer in her own right.  So happy she had arrived we started getting as many pics in as possible before the show started.  Below is Anita, with D.J – Sean Duvet.

(Anita Buttow and Sean Duvet)

The show finally begins.  I decided to make my way down stairs so that I could be up close and personal.  Sitting right in front with Anita, we start getting prepared….. Check out our view below;

(Guess Ramp)

The show started with a bang, so much excitement in the air, the models came out all looking sexy and sophisticated, I cant say that there was one garment that stood out to me, they were all fabulous!

Well Done Guess, what a show!

1. Betsy Johnson

There is something so free and crazy about Betsy Johnson and it comes through in her garments.  I loved the cheeckness and colors used in this ranges, as there is always a point in her designs where she dances on the fine line of being sexy and being over the top….

2. DIESEL

This is one of my all time favourite brands.  I loved the way the designers used the colours in this range, all fresh and complimentary.  There is a definite structural engineering about Diesels’s clothing, you just know you are wearing quality.  Its one of those brands that has remained true to its Italian origin and yet to let me down.

3. DKNY

All time classic…………

This for was one of there most creative ranges with a stong undertone of their signature  – conservativeness.  Although, utilising a limited colour palette they still seem to pull this collection off, oh so, perfectly.  My favourite garments out of this collection, were the two similiar yet different silhouettes of pants – both having an extremely high rise at the waist but one of them being form fitting and the loose fitting, see below.

4. Jill Stuart

Oh yes……………….. I really liked this range……………………..

It is such a femine and in control range.  With a beautifully crafted element of being fragile in it, due to the uses of fabrics, such as silks and satins.  I would wear everyone of Miss Stuarts garments.

5. L.A.M.B

I found that I was a little disappointed in this range.  Normally this is one of my strong favourites, but I felt it lacked innovation and colour.  It seemed like its exactly what they would have done last year by using the same colours, prints and fabrics.  But on a more positive note, I will not stop supporting this brand due to my “Die Hard” loyalty to Miss Gwen Steffani herself!

6. Marc Bouwer

All Hail Marc Bouwer!!!!

When I see a range like this showcased by a South African born designer in America, I am truly proud to say that I am a South Afican!  His range had a strong influence of the environment, through the use of the colour green, as well as the green lighting on the ramp.  It just shows you, how the whole world is becoming more environmentally friendly and how living your dream is a true possibility.

7. Miss Sixty

Another favourite for me, just see the pics below, need I say more……

8. Nary Manivong

Being new to me, his collection blew me away!

The complimentary use of colours – black, white and a splash of red, keeping it fresh and exciting.  There is a strong influence of the 1940′s era which is shown in the silhouettes of these garments as well as the fabrics.  I find that the more I look at his range, the more I love it!

Yip, and another LISOF student takes the cake at the ”Elle New Talent competition”.

This year, 2007, Elle new talent competitions theme, was the “Future”.  With tons of applicants submitting storyboards and sketches, who would have fathomed that once again a LISOF student would take the cake!  Only last year, one of my good friends won it, Mr Tony Mestre and if anyone was deserving of it, it was him.

So this year the pressure was on, having seen the finalists sketches, I do believe the best person won, Tiaan Nagel. 

I went through my LISOF years with Tiaan and I can honestly say he is really good at what he does.  Coming from a strong afrikaans influence, which is clear in his designs and currently working for Marion and Lindie, he is honestly a force to be reckoned with. 

Here is one of my favourite garments from his 2007 collection below.  Definitely keep an eye on him for the future!

Yes, I am totally excited, as I will be attanding this event with three very good friends, one of them being an up and coming fashion designer, who happened to study with me at LISOF, Miss Anita Butow.  Watch out for this girl, I have a sneaky suspecision, that she will be exploding onto the Fashion scene relatively soon!

I have been asked by the “Samsung Blog”, to do the fashion blogging at the event, on the new, HOT, Sasmsung U700 phone.  Just want to thanks to a special girl Palesa, Yah!

Let me introduce you to the top 10 colours for “Spring 2008”. 

Olive, dark purple, light purple, dark blue, grey, red, light pink, light brown, light green and bright yellow!

Olive, being one of the most neutral of the colours, it complements the other bright colours, such as dark purple and Red. 

Red and yellow spice it up this spring, by being bold and adventurous and literally giving you a spring in your step.  The different shades of purple, pink mist and Rococco red have a inspirational origin from flowers which are very stmbolic of spring. We then have our more neutral undertones giving stability to the garments and a certain seriousness, with colours such as light brown and silver. 

Green is a stable favourite this spring as it’s a cool colour relates to fresh earthiness.  Due to the world becoming more environmentally aware, we are seeing a lot of the designers choosing green this season. 

Last but not least the dark blue, resembling close ties to navy, with generally a serious overtone; it is used to Glam up this spring by utilising the colour in a fun fresh new way.

The below brazilian designers showcased their ranges at “Brazil Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2007″, to me these designs are the epitome of  Brazil….. Simply Beautiful in everyway!