David Tlale Fall 2011

sub-heading: To whom much is given, much is expected.

After a flood of earned and self-generated media campaign of David showing his fall collection at the bridge, I got nervous - but he's David, he always delivers...

When I arrived at the pre-drinks session to be met by half of Johannesburg outside David's studio, I got nervous - but he's David, he always delivers...

When hordes of people were turned away from entering from the closest entrance to David's Studio, where the pre-social happened, twitter started firing up with annoyance, I got nervous - but he's David, he always delivers...

When I found myself on the bridge frantically looking for a seat - and being told that the demarcated media area was in shambles (due to unforeseen circumstances), but the ever-willing publicists found me a perfect spot - but when I saw the multitudes where still shuffling around to find even a curb to sit their behinds down, 5 minutes prior to the scheduled late show, I got nervous - but he's David, he always delivered...

2 hours post the scheduled time, I switched to twitter to find thee most accomplished of people in the fashion circles annoyed, I got nervous - but he's David, he always delivers.

Did he deliver?



The sombre music opened the floor while ramps marched down the ramp in dark floor-length capes and headed to the middle of the Bridge to a raised platform which played backstage for the duration of the show - clever trick there.

The colour palette David had for his fall collection is typical of winter: blacks, greys and whites while the solid, deep red splashed across all the garments gave the fall collection a femme fatale, luxurious finish which was an incredible thread throughout the collection.

Other than volume in uninspiring locations (cuff, upper arm and hips), the basic silhouette was reminiscent of all David's shows (including his NYFW 2009 ollection) in the past - a trait they also adopted in their Africa Fashion Week's "Butterfly collection" - which left the choice in fabric and intricate detailing to deliver fresh ideas to tried-and-tested fantastic templates.

The cottons, silks and satin (with retro-inspired) patterns DID DELIVER. His referencing of his old collection and retro-inspired prints merged together to capture the old-world, new-charm aesthetic which is where South African street-style sits at the moment.

It was one of the few shows which David did not overstyle which simplifies it for the consumer. It was less intimidating which then found more people relating to some of the pieces in the collection (which could translate to breaking the ice between potential-consumers and the brand)

An overall good collection, bar by the many fillers which, in my opinion, are fantastic collection spin-offs but should not have been in the collection itself but with an ambitious 92-piece collection to pull-off, thoughts of this were not entertained, which is a real pity. eg, though all very different, the 10-odd wet-look voluminous dresses and white shirts (each with it's own uniqueness in terms of design) seeing all 10 (though, again in my opinion) were not the core collection.

With all this said, I just really need to ask (and I am guilty of blushing and gushing in excitement when the presentation of the collection requires "out of the box"-thinking): was the SHOW bigger than the COLLECTION? or the perfect marriage? I would really like to see a more subdued show and more drama in the collection...

TO answer: David delivered, but forgot to edit, he misaligned his collection with the drama that his media-mentions generated but the collection was thorough, complete, beautiful and solid - which, when all is said and done, is what its all about, THE CLOTHES!

Pics by Simon Deiner

OTT was the theme

David Tlale hosted a dinner party for under 40 people on his birthday and the (under the stars) dinner in the garden took place in the swanky Inanda in what looked like an art-deco house-turned to quaint restaurant, vewi pwetty. This was the perfect back-drop to an Over The Top theme to celebrate, the rather larger-than-life, David's birthday.David "DT" Tlale purposefully under-dressed (apparently that's under-dressed) for his party to enjoy everybody's outfits, I won't use his exact wording, although it was quite funny.

Most of the guests wore DT-originals to celebrate his coming of age, which was such a wonderful spectacle. (Maybe I should team up with someone to work on a DeGorgeous clothing line for special events in my honour - you know: micro-manage what people wear).
While some enjoy croissants and blue cheese - life of decadence, couldn't resist that Khanyi Mbau quote -, we followed in Marie Antoinette's words and had cake - yes, the multi-layered cake does have a velvet finish, rolls eyes.
You cannot say OTT and not expect drama. Viwe took to the "ramp" with this J&B Met-worthy head piece. It's actually an over-sized organza rose, pretty-darn DeGorge!Owner of On-Point PR, Vista Kalipa clearly got the memo and he OTTied it up in this DT number. The backless waistcoat is to die for! No seriously, it's like a UK size 2 (or 4?), I'd literally have to kill myself starving to get into it!Guests: Teboho Pheko (specialist men's footwear buyer) in a DT sequin jacket with PR specialist, Helga Klizanie (also spotting a DT frock - looks like a spin-off of DT's 2010 fall collection, yes the uber-DeGorge collection)Helga Klizanie (again, had to get the shoes in this shot, how cute are those?) having a tete-a-tete with Sandile Nqayi (rocking a fabulous paisley-inspired scarf)Couldn't resist another Helga snapshot. She's pictured here with make-up artist, Vuyo Varoyi, who wore a DT jacket, from the same collection Helga's dress is from, with a bling-finish in the form of a "DT dagger" brooch on his lapel. PS. whoever, ummm, liberated mine from me, now's a good time to return it, thanks! Party planner, Lebo, with David and girl-on-stilts, Tatum Keshwar (also wearing David Tlale, including the shoes he made for the 2009 DT-Luella collab)Some of the delicious guestsAnother DT-wearing story. The sheer-pussybow shirt is incredible and it's really how the sleeve meets the cuff (what do you call that particular area? if there's a word for it), that bell shape, that gives the whole slim-cut outfit the voluminous-pow that I think gives this outfit a DeGorgeous finish.Boniswa, PR specialist, also wore a (2009 s/s) DT frock. David showed this collection the year when everybody went "African-inspired" crazy - remember Louis Vuitton's collection? revisit it for inspiration, incredible!!
The minimalistic table that saw us feasting - just one long intimate (oxymoron?) table. Naturally, everbody kicked off their heels and booggied - to work off the carbs? - and this is David taking to the dancefloor accompanied by roses, literally...

Me, OTT-ing it up a little - I couldn't let the invitation look fancier than me...
Jacket (my trusted partner when all else fails) from a big retail store I found years ago (it stood the test of time), sequin mirt (good ol' 2 metres of fabric, a versatile must-have!), ski pants (downtown find), gladiators by David Tlale for Luella with my Gangster 3rd-eye gold neckpiece (an IFS find)

Thanks for the invite David (via Lebo), so we party again on Saturday? shoo! see y'all at HUSH! I guess it's David's birthday party weekend

David Tlale For Luella - shoe collection

Two season ago, David Tlale joined forces with Luella and created a KILLER shoe collection: gladiators, diamante-studded 9 inch heels, cone-shaped heeled booties and peep toes sky-high heels in taupe and Leopard print (with a sharp jagged sole) with an unmistakable pink sole (this was prior Paris Hilton heels which gained popularity a few months ago) - all very "forward" and in-line with the DT aesthetic (sometimes an acquired taste - but lovable nonetheless).

This season, David Tlale opted for a more ready-to-wear, everyday wear type of shoes: pumps with a bit of detail, gladiators and GLADIATORS... I was mildly disappointed by this collection. David, being somewhat of an extremist, opted the easy way out with this collection and went a little too simple, thereby loosing the DT aesthetic that is associated with his brand (you know: daring, bold, sharp, forward thinking and completely nonconformist) AND the "statement shoe" mentality, with the exception of one or two pairs.



Then again: if it's comfort, minimalism and everyday wear that you seek, then this is the collection you'd love.

At the risk of sounding anal: I bought a pair that I think should've carried through in the rest of the collection (fulfilling one of my shoe lusts) so it's not ALL gloom and doom.

Spring Day

My Favourite season's here: WOOOOhoooo!!!

And this song from prep school keeps ringing in my head: "spring is here, spring is here... winds of darkness now go clear, birdie sing laa-la-la-laa praise be to our king" (or something like that) - I love this season! (sorry for all those with Immunoglobulin E issues -IgE: bit of Micribiology there...)

Anyway:
Time to clear the wardrobe and make room for the colourful and wonderful and with that comes a multitude of sales and I was sooo excited when I read who Ms Mili is bringing for her monthly Pulchritude sale: M-a-c-h-e-r-e (Christropher Strong's another one I just want to do the diski dance -do people still do that? - in excitement for)!!

Does not end there! David Tlale is hosting a trunk sale too, starting on Friday the 3rd of September and ends on the 4th of September at his Parktown North Studio (50A, 7th Avenue, Parktown North - same street as the RIP Moloko, just on the other side of Jan Smuts Street... not too far from the Nando's complex)

Waste no time in looking pretty!

Yours in all things DeGorgeous
Maque

A Design House looses a key member

He graduated at the Design school at Cape Peninsula University of Technology, formerly Cape Technikon, in 2004 and found himself, like any graduate, seeking a job/internship with some of South Africa's top design brands: Gavin Rajah and Paul van Zyl. This was the case until he got acquainted with David Tlale.

Andile Bhenya, known as Andy, fell in love with David Tlale's work which echoed his understanding and take on fashion design. "I loved David's techniques! he's a very creative individual, has a unique design style - avant garde even - and he is not afraid of crossing barriers and perceptions which is everything I love about Designing," were Andy's words as he settled into his seat at their Parktown North studio, "I knew I wanted to work for the label."
This was in 2005, only two years after David made his big debut as the winner of the Elle design challenge. David, at that time, was running a very small company with only 4 employees and they catered for a handful of private clients. David interviewed Andile and granted him a 6 months internship programme where his primary job was to cut out the patterns. Virgin Mobile Cape Town Fashion Week 2008 - David Tlale, Jordan Dunn and Andile Bhenya (background)

As their working relationship developed over those months, Andile showed a lot of creativity in his input on design and execution of garments which lead to his internship being extended and David trusting his opinion on every garment produced by the David Tlale brand.

Andile, under David's guidance, learnt about paying greater attention to detail, quality assurance skills, presentation skills and how to "finish" a design - which Andile had all learnt at school, but David had his own unique way of executing garments therefore Andile had to learn the "DT"way.
Audi Joburg Fashion Week 2008 - David Tlale, Millen Magese, Andile Bhenya (Background)
After a year of being tested, Andile was offered the prestigious position of (Creative) Assistant Designer - a first for the David Tlale brand - and the two worked together to build the brand (which included club-show brand activation initiatives) to what we see today.


I obviously questioned why he would want to leave a "fabulous" vocation at a well established brand. Andile, with a rather sullen look, says "it's time! I gave DT my best and after 5 years, I think it's time to grow beyond this. My intentions when I graduated was not work under someone's shadow forever, although DT was the best learning ground I could've ever asked for. I had beautiful years here and I still love the brand and will forever be proud of how far the brand has come."

The 30th of July marks the final day of Andile's position as David Tlale's Assistant Designer. He is taking up the job of Head (costume) designer for Sizani studios (which supplies clothes for several TV shows including Rhythm City).

"I loved working with David, we've taught each other a considerable amount of design aspects. He is a very creative individual and I will always consider him a great mentor and it's been a fabulous 5 years."

- We wish you the very best in your vocation and now I have more reason to tune into the free-to-air channel to catch a glimpse of (haute - hoping!) style injection in soapies - Thank GAWD!

Winter Lusts: The shirt issue

Not much focus is given to the season's shirt... unless you consider the high-collar Largerfeld-esque shirts popular amongst yuppies and Tenderpreneurs to be the "it" item this season, of which I beg to differ, then this season is quite dry on shirts. Nothing shakes me!

With the rise of the denim-on-denim look (which I will steer clear of), the denim shirt-dress is on the rise; a browse in Foschini, Truworths and ilk confirms this. It's a rather interesting look but yet again - I will keep my distance. Pic #1 above makes the look look fabu-bubu, giving the illusion of a catsuit - which is brilliant! With that said, try this look on a regular body... I'll wait to hear from you! David Beckam puts such a masculine, Camel-man ruggeredness (Retrosexual vs Metrosexual, love how he enjoys skipping from one extreme to the other)) to this trend that I think I might give the look a bash - two contrasting colour palettes of denim with a white Tee to off-set the whole-denim look and a few accessories to break the look further. I am warming up to this... *watch this space*

A throw back at Spero Villioti and Thula Sindi's Fall collection at Audi Joburg Fashion Week strike a rather interesting chord with me: Chiffon and Satin - although this will be covered in another Winter lust issue.

When it comes to shirts and blouses, David West is my ultimate life-saver. Just his basic white shirt is phenomenal. My favourite, however, has to be this heavily pleated number - for lack of a better phrase - where, in my opinion, he is showing off how truly talented he is. I look forward to seeing a lot more of his work - and it is my number one stop shop when I land in Cape Town later this year (Old Biscuit Mill, Woodstock is where he's trading). The plan of action with this shirt is simple: leggings and booties or off-set the formal wear that this shirt seems to demand by wearing DIY denim shorts (with the booties) or better yet wear a tux (letting the convolutions on the shirt form the focal point framed by a standard modern-lapelled tux jacket) or I could try a... seriously: my ideas on this piece are endless!

Something I do own (I am so fortunate! only one in the world from this fashion house! again, so fortunate!) and absolutely love is this David Tlale white shirt which I wore to the Top tv launch. how DeGorge is it? okay, I love it!

Maque DeGorgeous outfit: shirt, tuxedo jacket and 3chain neckpiece by David Tlale. Glasses: a good find, LOL! prescription +4.5 (I am soo blind!)

Pics: Denim-on-Denim by Ali Kaplan ; David beckam: www.denimblog.com ; David West pics by Robyn Cooke

David Tlale throws the mother of all Sales

One of South Africa's best design houses, David Tlale, is having a sale of all sales! Items are flying off the racks from R400 to R1200 according to Vista Kalipa (David Tlale's publicist). Starts on Thursdary (11th of March) and ends on Friday (12th of March) and rocking my buys on Saturday (13th of March)... you've been warned!

Venue: David Tlale Studio, 50 Seventh Avenue - Parktown North, Johannesburg.

In short; clear your wardrobe and inject a bit of haute couture vie into it with a splash of David Tlale items.

Andile Bhenya, Creative Director of David Tlale, informs me that everything from the studio (except for their most recent collection at Audi Joburg Fashion Week) will be on sale! so think back on all his work and pray it's there!

*lusting after the mannings collection items, praying hard!*

(pics from www.photos.mg.co.za , www.media.bucket.com and www.davidtlale.com )

Trendsetting? we love it!

Well this came as a surprise - a pleasant one at that!

Yours in all things DeGorgeous was spotted at the David Tlale Show sashaying in this once-off gold number. PhoenixStyleConcepts featured me in their monthly newsletter as being bang-on trend, obviously in the fundamental pre-mass-attack phase of trends.

Merci Beaucoup!

Read more about them on http://www.phoenixstyleconcepts.com/