by Lerato Mbangeni
Johannesburg - The second day of SA Fashion Week got off to a slow start, with empty seats and an unexcited audience. This contrasted greatly with the packed Spring/Summer SAFW instalment earlier this year.
Some of those attending complained about hunger, due to the lack of places to buy quick food between shows, and some griped about the organisers’ attempt to make everyone wear black. In true fashion form, almost everyone rebelled and the place was littered with bright colours.
The first show of the night included Morphe, T’Niche, Yadah Exclusive Designs, Kottin & Twille and Mantsho.
Before the show began, the chief executive of SAFW, Lucilla Booyzen, took the audience by surprise by announcing that the upcoming designers were those who needed a “leg up”.
The surprise was mostly because some of those designers, like Mantsho, have had their own shows at previous SAFWs.
Nonetheless, the designers impressed the audience with what they had to offer.
First was Morphe, whose models strode down the runway in silver shoes and dresses with juxtaposed patterns.
They captivated the audience as they paused in the middle of the runway at regular intervals and stood in a formation staring into the distance, allowing the audience time to take in the look.
T’Niche followed and transitioned the look into luxurious woollen knits as scarves, shawls, skirts and tops.
Yadah Exclusive Designs showcased maroon jumpsuits and accessories such as stockings. Their make-up was minimalistic, featuring pushed-back hair and a plum lip.
Mantsho topped her looks with golden leaf metal chokers and earrings which complemented her regal dresses, a crowd favourite being a brown suede dress.
Kottin & Twille ramped it up with 1940s and 50s styles. The models wore men’s waistcoats in army green paired with soft billowy dresses in light pinks and nudes. Though many empty seats stared back at the models during the brief show, those who were there seemed to appreciate it.
The night was ended by a Rubicon show and another with JJ Schoeman and Sun Goddess.
Vuyiso Tshabalala, a fashion blogger and production co-ordinator at Fashion One on this instalment of SAFW after the show, said: “I’m still not impressed but this show is by far the best since it started.”
She also said the seating made it difficult for some to take pictures.