Johannesburg - The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2016 ended on a high note with oohs and aahs at the upscale Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton.
The grand finale, a black wedding gown, appropriately rounded off the show.
It had kicked off in fine style with artistic fashion designer Marianne Fassler setting the bar high for other designers to follow. Her 45-piece collection consisted of dramatic pleats, leather, velvet and silk.
Clear Tiffany chairs with white cushions were lined up to make three ramps in one of the parking lots at the square for the special guests, including Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela and Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula's wife, Nozuko.
And there to make waves was Jacaranda FM presenter Bridget Masinga in a sexy black see-through KLuk CGDT dress. I hope Nigerian singer D'banj caught a glimpse of her.
Metro FM DJ and winemaker Tbo Touch was glued to his lovely wife. She also stunned in a see-through lacy number with a skimpy skirt underneath.
undefinedToning it down a bit were Zakes Bantwini and his partner Nandi Mngoma, who looked like they were going to a church conference.
Host Dr Precious Motsepe looked funky in a skin-tight blue boot-leg pair of jeans with gold embroidery on the back pockets to match her gold short-sleeve top. She usually dresses formally for these events so we welcome this casual new look.
David Tlale's models made a dramatic entrance in white lingerie and chiffon see-through long capes, flanked by top-of-the-range Mercs and lots of smoke.
His winter collection focused on brown and chocolate-brown checked fabric, matched with feminine silhouettes of black lace, red animal hide, leather and long thigh skirts with tassels.
undefinedFassler's clothing line is something to drool over because she puts on a display with lots of vibrant colours. She also had two billionaires on the front row. Now, how many times in South Africa does a designer get that privilege?
Billionaire Bidvest founder Brian Joffe and Patrice Motsepe sat side by side.
Motsepe, of course, puts aside his business commitments to support his wife, Precious, whenever there is a fashion week.
My suspicion is that these top guns get a little depressed if they don't get that prime spot.
I spotted Gerry Elsdon sitting next to film star Terry Pheto. Both were dressed in African prints. Gerry in a blue jumpsuit and Terry in a long skirt. I do think a hair make-over could do wonders for Gerry.
On the dreaded third row was Isibaya actress Mampho Brescia sporting a black tutu-skirt and an animal-print cropped jacket.
Celebrity TV and radio presenter Jen Su is rolling in big circles these days. She was hobnobbing with Motsepe and Joffe. The pair insisted on being photographed with her as she teased her new buddies about their matching checked-blue jackets.
Mamelodi Sundowns also came out to support their boss's wife. Good to know where your bread is buttered. Teko Modise, coach Pitso Mosimane and Miss Sundowns were all there.
Actress Nomzamo Mbatha walked the ramp for her personal designer, Khosi Nkosi, as well as Miss SA Liesl Laurie. Liesl was probably walking the ramp for the last time on Thursday night as she is handing over the crown next Saturday at Carnival City.
Stefania Morland's designs were also breathtaking as usual. I had a quick chat with an international model from Toronto Naro Lokuruka. The Kenyan born model is in South Africa for a Marie Claire shoot in Cape Town. "I love your fashion week. It is so African. The music, the people and the prints are just so beautiful," she said.
Mantombi Makhubele, Sunday Independent