Givenchy... meet Kluk CGDT... or have you met?

While trying to find what transpiredd at the Paris fashion shows, I came across a post BryanBoy did about the installation that Givenchy had at hotel d'Evreux.

Givenchy, Paris July 2010

I was amazed until the left - or was it the right? - side of my brain registered that this is a de ja vu! Not identical to a tee, obviously (given one is prete-porter and the other is haute couture), but these two collections are soooo similar!

Kluk CGDT - Paris March 2010

or am I grasping at nothing?

and this outfit by the Gaga one - did it also get a white splash, lighter material and beaded?

Look - before gunning for my head - I am just pointing out the similarities here... take time to go through each collection - you'll be surprised! But each has it's own, defining element and edginess but overall aesthetics... very similar!

okay - maybe I am going nutters -

pics: www.bryanboy.com , www.ifashion.co.za , www.thestylebitches.com

Klük CGDT: African Angels

Came across this interview, a month later (better than never if you ask me), and I hope you get the chance to read it. I absolutley love it!

It is a great follow-up of the chat I had with Malcolm before he and Christian left to showcase in Paris (read here).

He touches on basics of business and the false impression that many designers have about showing internationally.

Read the Interview, conducted by Lucilla Booyzen (SA Fashion Week convener): Interview with Malcolm Klük

OMG - so I guess they opted for the familiar number he mentioned in the chat I had with him (it was a toss up between this one and another garment he was not too sure about for this particular collection)... it's the stunning number just to the right of Malcolm (that would be your left darl!) - remember it from Arise Africa Fashion Week? Later worn by Lindiwe Suttle at the Arise Africa Fashion Awards

Looks like a modern day twist to a Roman gods' robes (don't you think?) - the voluminous draping on the arm. DeGorge to the max!!

pics: www.styleguidecapetown.blogspot.com and www.ifashion.co.za

My Winter Lusts - The Trouser issue

There are soo many trousers, jeans, leggings (we'll refer to all as pants from here onwards) that are in my "IN" books.

With the rise of embellishings and sequins this season, heightening my love for winter more than ever, hints and suggestions of nightwear are (re)introduced into daywear. Golds, glitter, glare, shimmers, shine and studs are all the new rage.

Another strong trend that'll be prevalent this season is the denim-on-denim (aka jean-to-jean) look which still bugs me little; it's so 90s! whether I will dive in head first into the denim revolution remains unknown to me (translation: unlikely), but more power to those who will brave it out.

My lusts:

If you've ever engaged me for longer than three seconds on what I lurve in fashion, you've heard about these handbeaded gold-ish harem pants by Klük CGDT (which featured at Arise Africa Fashion Week 2009) and they are my ultimate dream pants. In the words of Savage Garden, I "truly, madly, deeply do love these pants. Breakdown; they are the epitome of everything this season: beautifully stuctured (in all their anti-structure shape), the aforementioned shimmer and just soo beautiful!
Still on lack of structure, these Suzaan Heyns jodhpurs... the balloon-feature and legging-like calves are phenomenal! Winter, this winter in particular, I want to experiment with strange but beautiful sihouettes and these pants are the ideal candidate to achieve this. I would've obviously preferred them to be longer (atleast the leggings-esque section), but these are perfect!
My new obssession, Chloe! Still with the idea of untailored pants (though far from it, so I guess untailored-looking pants is more appropriate), these pants nail all the pants trends I am looking for: High waist (I have long legs so one less thing to worry about), Harems (drop crotch pants give much needed breathing space... I know you know what I mean - they were called poo-catchers in Harpers Bazaar Australia - how unsexy is that?), have that "hit just above the ankle" look I am crazy about and they have a vintage look (a quick turnup of the pants can give the same look).

*yes, I know; I have my vain moments, lol!* the leggings/treggings/mannings... JUST NOT JEGGINGS, are still hot! but they've been overplayed and we aready to move on. But not quite, for me atleast; this season, I will team them with shorts or try to get the "Heni" look (from the fall collection he exhibited at Audi Fashion Week 2010)...

...minus THAT that you were looking at! As mentioned in the "shoe issue" of my lusts, length is very important! Obviously it is a must that they are snug - nothing looks worse than leggings which have too much room!

PS> i am not doing the Givenchy/Chanel multiple chain/neck piece look... another overplayed look - but one strong piece is a must! had to mention that given how I went Chain-crazy for the 2009 Arise Fashion week (but I do like my Edwardian-inspired collar... now where did I put that Houndstooth number?)

Finally: the Wide-leg pants. comfortable, perfect for anyone with long legs (stubby does not work with these, unfortunately). These ones in particular - not only do I like the flare - but the material is superb! Nothing screams winter like Tweed (thanks Coco for making these an "IT" material)

Klük CGDT: "African Angels" Preview

If you ever heard that someone trained under the brilliant John Galliano - what is guaranteed, upon going solo, is a fashion label that is guaranteed to soar! This was the case with Malcolm Klük and since joining forces with Christian Gabriel Du Toit, the Klük CGDT brand is synonymous with excellent taste, class and much flair.

I headed down to their über-fabulous studio in Parkhurst, on designer's lane (aka 7th Avenue stretching into 3rd Avenue - the change of street name's still foreign to me) to experience what they were going to blast Paris with for their 2010/2011 Fall Collection, titled "African Angels" at Paris Fashion Week.

The grand entrance hall with mannequins dressed to the 9s displaying 5 prêt-a-porter looks which could easily be displayed on any runway around the world, plenty of warmth and an aura of glam made the welcome note; DeGorgeous, I thought!

The super friendly Malcolm was quick to tell me that they will be showing 5 pieces at the Paris fashion week with one extra look in the wings in case they pull out one garment from what was on display. He shied away from revealing which would be exchanged for one piece that we remember vividly and love wholeheartedly. Given the edgier looks they've delivered in the past (including the hand stitched DeGorge gold harems from two seasons ago that I am still lusting after), the passion and child-like joy Malcolm describes their collection with reassures me that the collection will be memorable (if only I could experience it, in Paris).

They took inspiration from South African tribes and the Masai people, but with none of the exaggerated colour explosions that are associated with African tribes. They opted to be intelligent with construction. For example; colourful Ndebele shoulder-to-hip beaded pieces that cross the body are replaced by beautifully-crafted pleats and creases on the garment, head gear and midriff pieces also replaced by intricate draping, feather details on the seams and gatherings. Some of the materials used include the industry favourite; Duchess silk, tulle and lace in nude colours; taupes and creams. Reasons for doing this, Malcolm cited, were that African couture should move away from the stereotyped African look; it needs to be more internationally appealing and on a par (and surpass that in my opinion) with other international fashionhouses as this too markets South Africa and, on a broader scale, Africa as more than just animal-prints, beads, doek-wearing, scary-looking (as Vuitton did, although I loved that collection) and colourfully printed material (think Ankara) obsessed nation. In his own words, and in short: he viewed Africa through a French designer's goggles. Yowza! Can you imagine how this is going to look? Just try…

As I waltzed out their studio - did I mention how DeGorge it is? okay; it's fabu-bubu! including the cheetah print rug that resembled their runway at the 2009 Arise Africa Fashion Week - I left with a grin and not because of the delightful cognac that he served but because this collection is thoroughly thought through and will make an impact.

J'adore Klük CGDT and wish them all the best!

(image from: www.ostrichsa.co.za)

-more pics to follow-