Ngxokolo's MaXhosa Range Impresses Joburg Fashion Week

By Tshepo Tshabalala

@TshepoToTheT

Heavy knitted, patterned, warm, pure mohair and Merino rich, wooly garments from skirts, cardigans and dresses in traditional Xhosa designs and colours defined what could be the most outstanding collection at this year’s Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Johannesburg taking place at the Sandton Convention Centre.

South Africa is a country with 11 official languages and a few more others. It's cultures differ from region to region and city to city. That's probably why it is often difficult to really describe what is truly an authentically South African design or collection. Maybe it's also as equally difficult to say what is authentically African. Many are likely to say it is something they can relate to, garments which perhaps remind them of their childhood, or what their elders wore in the 1970s, 80s and maybe the 90s. Another group of South Africans would take some of their styles from Europeans.

TUT Fashion Going Beyond 2012

Tshepo Tshabalala

@TshepototheT

The Tshwane University of Technology's (TUT) annual year-end fashion show has to be one of the best methods of unearthing fashion talent in Gauteng or probably the continent. This year’s theme “Beyond 2012” had a showcase of eclectic, suave and elegant wear.

Africa's top fashion school held the event at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Lynnwood instead of the usual Pretoria State Theatre.The host for the anticipated event was none other than renowned fashion stylist, TV presenter, fashion journalist and lecturer - Noni Gasa who was dressed by one of the third year students at the university.

The ramp was laid out with a carpet of aesthetic grass done by the DVC Teaching, Learning and Technology school with Japanese lights to complete the simple yet trendy back drop to the fashion show.

TUT’s Fashion Conspiracy One of The Best in Its League

On Friday, 10 September 2010, the Tshwane University of Technology’s fashion department took us to bedrooms with kinky underwear, weddings, across African and international borders and even to the future with various interpretations of the senior students’ fashion show theme, Conspiracy.

The highly sponsored event was hosted by former Yo-TV presenter, Cecilia Ravele, who appeared nervous at first as she stumbled over her words. She soon broke out in loud laughter, admitted she was a bit nervous, composed herself and eventually proved to be a brilliant host. The young celebrity even praised TUT’s top standard by saying it was “one of the best fashion shows organised by a university” she had been to.

Senior students were not the only ones allowed to showcase their work as some students from junior years who had taken their work to the Durban July earlier this year were also given the opportunity to show their capabilities. The top works of some of the second years were also shown on the night. The audience seemed to enjoy the theme of Ayoba with various interpretations of Football Friday and the South African flag.

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With Conspiracy the students showed a handle that probably some of the most experienced in the fashion world would not have. Just like any fashion show of good standard some of the clothes left those not familiar with such events asking where certain outfits would be worn as they were too avant-garde for the streets.

The collections on stage were also clearly from people with different life experiences as there were clothes for big girls, the extremely skinny, the well-toned man or woman, maternity wear and even children’s wear. There were even a few small African brooms, bedroom whips and stars just covering the most essential bits of the body. This year’s senior fashion students clearly had no boundaries with their work.

Tshepiso Tshabalala's collection took
top honours.

Some of the biggest prizes of the evening went to Tshepiso Tshabalala with her futuristic men’s and women’s collection. Tshepiso took home the prize for Best Range – Innovative, Thandeka Mbele had the Best Range – Commercial, Nthabiseng Nkadimeng received the award for Best Concept Collection, the Best Garment prize went to Lebogang Moaje, Boni Bowane was the Best Creative Designer, the Most Promising Student award went to Tumiso Thlabane, the Best Upcoming Student award was given to Phumzile Langa and Anika Badenhorst was seen as the Most Enterprising Student.

They were judged by a high calibre of people in the fashion industry including Nombasa Mncube, Tshepo Modiba from Artistic Soul, St. Lorient Fashion and Art Gallery Owner Lucy Anastasiadis and socialite, footballer's wife and businesswoman Sonia Booth.

As TUT’s top graduates often make it big in the fashion industry, one is certain that this year’s prize winners are some of the names to watch out for in future.

Annual Fashion Showing Taking Place Tomorrow

The Annual Student Fashion Show

Online Shopping - TUT Style

Pearl Nicodemus

I am convinced. If you want to survive for three years on campus without being stripped naked, then this is your stationery list:

• A knife

• A gun

• A bullet proof vest

And lastly but certainly not least:

• Install a tracker or optionally a waterproof surveillance camera on all your clothes so that even if they are stolen off the washing line, you are able to retrieve them.

A week ago, my clothes where stolen off the washing line. Yes - such things do happen in a tertiary institution that claims to be ‘the University of Technology’ but is filtered with just security guards with two eyes instead of surveillance cameras around campus.

Ok, perhaps I am still bitter and I’m just looking for someone to blame. I am entitled, so indulge me for a second. I came back from class on that particular day and then immediately remembered that I haven’t removed my washing from the line. I’ve heard about this type of online shopping before but such things only truly bother you once they hit YOU directly.

Because of the inconsistent weather, I left it out to dry until late in the afternoon. I dashed outside and my fear had come to pass. My clothes were carefully picked out. All my jeans and two tracksuit tops. One of which I liked very much. Online shoppers had attacked me. I calmly removed the remaining few items like socks and pyjama pants off the line. At that point in time I was still in a bit of shock. Like most unemployed South Africans who are between jobs, one could say I was between emotions. However it didn’t take long before feelings of frustration and anger started brewing inside. I sent a “please call me” to everyone who mattered that night and of course mom was the first to call and console me.

I did consider taking a photograph of the few remaining items I found on the line but what are the chances I would return to my room with my camera.

NOW! Online shopping - is not a new phenomenon right? This incident probed me to research a little on why on earth people steal - Kleptomaniacs to be more precise. Kleptomania has been defined as a condition of not being able to resist the urge to collect or hoard things. People with this disorder are compelled to steal things, generally, but not limited to, objects of little or no significant value, such as pens, paper clips, and tape. Some kleptomaniacs may not even be aware that they have committed the theft.

Such people according to me are just people who jut cannot think further than their stomachs who steal just because they can. Or blame their idiocy on lack.

So beware. The cutie next to you could be a ‘klepto’.

DID YOU KNOW: The great Albert Einstein suffered from kleptomania.

Can you find other famous people who could not fight the urge to just TAKE, TAKE, TAKE?