Newsletter No.29 19 August 2016
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BEN SHERMAN introduces their AW16 Collection this season… LONDON STYLE DIVIDES:
‘Our AW16 Collection is inspired by the unique style history of London. London is a unique patchwork of fashion, culture, music and attitudes; from North, South, East to West there has always been a story. For over 50 years we have been at the forefront. The story of British youth subculture in London can’t be told without Ben Sherman.’
For London Style Divides our Design team explored this history and heritage. The prominent subcultures and icons
from the last five decades make up the DNA of all four corners of the city. Whilst their looks and values may differ,
the spirit of individuality unites them all. Each drop represents and modernises an iconic period in British style
History; Teddy Boy Blues, Pinstripe Punks, West End Mods and East End Legends.
Look out for the BEN SHERMAN AW16 Collection in-store coming soon…
Beyond threads at the Durban Fashion Fair
It’s all systems go for the Durban Fashion Fair (DFF) 2016 with tickets to the 16 shows that will take to the ramp at the Durban Exhibition Centre between Wednesday, August 31st and Friday, September 2nd going on sale via Computicket.
Themed “Beyond Threads”, the DFF 2016 features 40 designers – including six from Africa and big names from within the South African fashion industry.
The city’s fashion extravaganza kicks off on Wednesday, August 31 at 6pm with an evening of menswear featuring labels Black Pepper, Afro Amano and the House of St Luke. Followed at 7pm with Gravitie and Clemas Garments (Nigeria). Abrantie the Gentleman (Ghana) and Duke “Clothe Your Soul” will take to the catwalk at 8pm and ending the day at 9pm will be Shadow by Sidumiso (Zimbabwe) and Hombre’.
Six shows on Thursday, September 1st starting at 5pm feature labels from Glamour-SA Designs, Pengelly, Mo’ Creations & Couture (Zambia), House of Alfalfa, Karen Monk-Klijnstra, Diva Designs by Brenda Quin; Quitera and George, Ganu (Zimbabwe), Poqua Poqu (Ghana), Amos, Palse and an off-site show at the Durban Art Gallery venue in the city by Amanda Laird Cherry.
Shows starting at bit earlier at 4.30pm on Friday, September 2nd include the uKhozi FM the 2016 DFF Next Generation Designers show and the Interns by David Tlale as well as showings by Eullue; Colleen Eitzen, Kathrin Kidger, Terrence Bray, Thula Sindi, Mita-N Dzyns, Scarlett Haze and Ralfe’. The evening will culminate in another off site show by Zarth hosted at Lambert Road.
The DFF 2016 features a newly designed show space that acts as a world class canvas for producers and designers to display their creations. Modelled on current international show space trends, the set for DFF 2016 features a seamless, wide catwalk which focuses the attention of the audience on the models and provides the perfect setting for photographs and video.
Over the past five years, the DFF has wowed designers, the media, fashion buyers and the public and has brought out the very best in Durban’s existing and aspiring creatives. It forms part of the eThekwini Municipality’s Fashion Development Programme which has empowered over 500 designers and provided internships to Milan, Italy, for 46 newcomers to the fashion industry.
The DFF 2016 will culminate in the prestigious Durban Fashion Fair Recognition Awards on Saturday, September 3rd at the Inkosi Chief Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. These will honour and recognise the top designers and models taking part in the DFF 2016 whilst also featuring the designs of the 2015 DFF’s international interns.
Tickets are now available at Computicket with tickets from R100 per person per show with students paying R50 per student per show. Tickets for the awards show are R200 per person and R100 per student.
For more information, go to www.durbanfashionfair.com
COMBATTING ABSENTEEISM – An intervention program written by Val Hamann
Val Hamann has written a one day workshop (the only one of its kind in South Africa) called COMBATTING ABSENTEEISM – for the South African Textile Worker. This program covers social challenges and financial issues related to absenteeism in the workplace; as well as how to overcome this peril of concern in the industry. The workshop may keep workers away from their work station for one day, however will raise awareness of the importance of attending work, avoiding unnecessary absenteeism.
Social challenges are a part of everyday struggle for most factory workers, who cannot afford healing intervention programs or professional counselling. Many strategies have been developed to encourage and educate employers to lower absenteeism percentage rates, however educating the factory workers is lacking.
Running this workshop to combat absenteeism would result in a new culture development, reducing absenteeism and increasing productivity, saving companies time and money.
As an industry, we need to assist where we can for the benefit of sustainability and stability.
Designer Stewart Richard Grays, showcased his SS17 collections at Gibraltar fashion festival
International Designer, Stewart Grays (South Africa) showcased his Spring Summer 2017 Collection at Runway 2016 on Saturday 9th of July at King’s Bastion, brand backed by Gibraltar-based firm Aestium.
The ‘Grays London’ Collection comprises of contemporary hand-made pieces inspired by traditional craftsmanship and classic European style, creating a modern and innovative edge to traditional luggage and accessories, whilst celebrating city elegance.
Defined by precision stitching, Italian Hardware and aqua suede lining, quality nor expectations are ever sacrificed, the collection evokes a spirited, fresh, sexy masculine appeal. G4 Sports offers a subtle alternative, combinations and thoughtful design work together to create a smart but casual edge that is typically Grays. The playful combination of the canvas and leather with the solid Italian hardware, gives the G4 collection an inventive yet playful appeal.
The Grays family has a long-standing tradition for appreciation of fine tailoring, design and style in London. In 1927 Stewart’s Great Uncle founded Grays of Hackney, London E8. A sound reputation for fine workmanship, style and quality, saw the business expand to 30 stores across London by late 1960s. Stewart Grays, second cousin of the founder, has the same enthusiasm for the family name and original values of the brand, that has been a major influence in the success of Grays brand’s today.
Aestium is a Gibraltar based Management Consulting company and start-up accelerator for local and international entrepreneurs, focusing on Fintech, e-Money, e-Commerce, New Media, Design and Real Estate. It brings together extensive experience in accelerating start-ups to building an audience, monetising product and accelerating growth. This is done through the “Aestium Innovation Hub”. Our Aestium Innovation Hub uses the skills and experience of Mentors and investors whom provide shared services and shared expertise which otherwise on their own would make their corporate growth experience expensive and also a very lonely experience.
Stewart Grays said: “Our partnership wth Aestium, has allowed our business to benefit from investment, advise and professional support, as well as providing the Stewart Richard Gray’s brand the ability to grow, from Gibraltar, into international markets and opportunities made available through their mentors and investors.” Hilton Supra, Director of Aestium, said: “We are delighted to have Stewart Grays and his brands from South Africa, utilising the human capital and skills in Gibraltar through our innovation Hub to grow their brand globally. It is vital that Gibraltar develops new export and manufacturing capabilities, especially when the future of its relationship with Europe is in doubt”.
LittleBlackBook
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Did you Know…….
Clothes Rationing In Britain During The Second World War
Extra coupons were given to children
This 1943 poster encouraged parents to buy clothes for children in bigger sizes so they could be adjusted as the child grew.
Children’s clothes had lower coupon values in recognition of the fact that they would need new clothes more often as they grew. From 1942, all children were allocated an extra ten coupons, with additional coupons being issued for older children or those classed as ‘outsize’. Coupons were also needed for school uniforms, which could be a particular problem as many schools did not relax their rules on uniform during wartime. Clothing exchanges were set up by the Women’s Voluntary Service (WVS) to help meet the needs of women struggling to clothe their families. Women could take the clothes that their children had outgrown and were given a number of points for the clothes she handed in. These could be ‘spent’ on other clothes at the exchange. As this poster illustrates, mothers were also encouraged to buy children’s clothing in bigger sizes so it could initially be taken in and then let out gradually as the child grew.
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