David Tlale saves the show

Published Mar 27, 2017

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Cape Town - In almost every fashion week that designer David Tlale showcases he usually stages off-site shows, away from the designated venue.

This makes his shows stand out as with each show he brings in the theatrics and one is guaranteed a good show. Some usually moan about the inconvenience of having to make a special trip to a special venue just for him, however, at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Cape Town (MBFWCT) on Friday Tlale saved the show.

The drama began on Thursday evening when the three-day event held at The Meadway sports field in Camps Bay was forced to come to an abrupt halt after extremely windy conditions. Event organisers African Fashion International's safety officers made the executive decision to stop the second last show of the night halfway through and cancel the last show of the first night just after the Shana Morland showcase.

“With a secure tent structure able to withstand winds up to 100km per hour, confirmed by AFI’s appointed structural engineer, the wind gaining momentum at 58 km per hour went against our priority of protecting people. Presented with a severe safety risk and prioritising the safety of all involved, an announcement was made for guests, models, designers and crew to vacate the premises on The Meadway, “ AFI said in a statement on Friday morning.

The remaining shows were then scheduled to take place on Friday evening and Saturday, however, that was not to be the case as the wind persisted.

On Friday afternoon when I arrived just after 5pm, the marquee was vibrating from the wind and soon after that an announcement was made to evacuate the venue. After taking a year’s hiatus, the event organisers were keen on staging the three-day event during summer rather than the winter months as they have done previously.

Tlale, in partnership with Courvoisier® Cognac, presented his show titled “Let’s Play Dress Up” at the Cape Town Club which was attended by the fashion elite. Renowned for his showmanship, the night defied all the conventional moulds with Tlale swapping a runway for an installation of models draped on windowpanes, plinths, and tables.

The scene, which resembled Paris’ fearless and decadent Golden Age and a mood alluded that to the joie de vivre associated with Courvoisier®, culminated in a grand finale when 45 models lead guests to the club’s private basement for an after party of celebrations. Male models walked in sexy jockey underwear and ready-to-wear runway looks, while the women wore sexy lingerie and Tlale’s signature separates which included shirts, skirts and fitted dresses.

Jockey by David Tlale collaboration was unveiled at the most prominent fashion extravaganza of the year, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. With the fantastic response to the first collaboration, Live Fierce, it is anticipated that the crowds will fall head over heels for the new Jockey by David Tlale range.

“The theme of this collection is called What’s Beneath. Inspiration was taken from the natural contours and movement of the body, and is about the hidden desires of the soul. It gloriously unmasks what we try to hide from society, all those elements that make us beautifully human. It speaks of fantasy, luxury, sensuality and indulgence, leaving the consumer feeling gorgeous,” explains David Tlale.

To unveil this range, Jockey is proud to announce that former Miss South Africa 2008, Tatum Keshwar is on board as the Brand Ignitor of the Jockey by David Tlale Autumn/Winter 2017 collaborative range. “Having Tatum associated with our exquisite range really entrenches the fact that this line is sensual and sexy. It is classy and sophisticated,” says Jenna Carter, Brand Manager for Jockey.

She continues, “David is an internationally respected, award-winning designer.  As one of the most recognisable faces in the fashion industry, Jockey is delighted to further collaborate with him on another spectacular range of underwear. With both brands being at the forefront of our respective industries the result is, quite simply, phenomenal”.

The Jockey South Africa license was awarded to Ninian & Lester (Pty) Ltd, from USA, in 1951 and the first Jockey garments were launched 2 years later in 1953.  Since then, they have firmly entrenched themselves as one of the largest manufacturers of underwear in South Africa. Jockey retails underwear and sleepwear garments for men, women and children who love the idea of living life to the fullest, and looking and feeling fabulous.

“Again, it has been a fantastic experience for our design team to work with a South African fashion icon. Our knowledge of underwear combined with David’s fashion expertise, enabled our design team to take David’s vision and conceptualise a range that is very different to anything Jockey has ever done before. What’s Beneath incorporates new fabrics, designs, colours, and silhouettes that align the brand with current market trends, making it appealing to a more trendy, edgier market,” ends Carter.

The Jockey by David Tlale What’s Beneath range of garments will be available in Jockey stores nationally and select retail stores for Autumn/Winter 2017.

The rest of the remaining shows scheduled to take place this afternoon were cancelled and MBFWCT was postponed to a later date.

*The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Cape Town will now be held on April 6-8 2017.

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