In case you missed it, this weekend closed out the 25th yearly South African Fashion Week in bustling Johannesburg! Over a period of three consecutive days, from April 28th through to the 30th, twenty designers from the continent showcased Spring/Summer 2022 collections for a world-wide audience. The occasion held at the prestigious Mall of Africa celebrated fashion innovators as well as up-and-coming design talent. Below is a rundown of the must-see moments from each day!
Of course, the event kicked off with an opening party to set the tone for the days to follow! VIP Guests, designers and media were all in attendance.
Photo of DJ Zihnle Jiyane: IG/Reproduction + Ronamo Media Photo of Gemaén Jordan Taylor: IG/ReproductionPhoto of K Naomi Phakathi: IG/Reproduction + OPPO South Africa
Slated to open the industry event this year was the announcement of the New Talent Search 2022, a competition that is held annually during SAFW. The talent search is known to help launch the international careers of numerous designers and underscore the next generation of socially conscious fashion creators – definitely something worth getting excited about! A total of six finalists showed collections down the runway, of which designer Thando Ntuli was given the winning title for her brand Munkus.
Photo: IG/Reproduction + LR Photography
The program was then followed by a showing by a handful of designers Fikile Zamagcino Sokhulu, Michael Ludwig Studio and Sipho Mbuto.
Photo of Michael Ludwig Studio SS22: IG/Reproduction + LR PhotographyPhoto of Sipho Mbuto SS22: IG/Reproduction + LR Photography
Days two and three consisted of four different shows grouping various designers together at a time. Check out some BTS images and snaps from the runway:
Photo: IG/Reproduction + LR PhotographyPhoto of Artho Eksteen SS22: IG/Reproduction + Pierre Van VuurenPhoto of Ntando XV SS22: IG/Reproduction + Pierre Van VuurenPhoto of Isabel de Villiers SS22: IG/Reproduction + LR Photography
What do you think?
Main image: IG/Reproduction + LR Photography + Eunice Driver Photography
Featuring a v-neck, a front button fastening, two front pockets, long sleeves, button cuffs, a side button fastening, a mid-length, a ribbed hem and cuffs, a signature grosgrain loop tab and a 4-Bar stripe.
In keeping with the designer’s avant-garde aesthetic, Thom Browne’s checked skirt arrives in a mini, pleated silhouette with a deconstructed hem. It flaunts the label’s signature ‘uniform’ stripes with frayed edges for a nuanced take on a classic design.
For this year’s Met Gala (click here to see who made best-dressed), the dress code was white-tie, ‘Gilded Glamour’. Allow us to break that down a bit: fashion in America during the gilded age was known for it’s top hats, corsetry and multi-colored bustles. With that in mind, you can understand our audible gasp when Sarah Jessica Parker entered the building wearing a Christopher John Rogers gown that embodied an iteration of exactly that!
Not only was her execution of the theme fully realized – finished with Swarovski crystal buttons and a custom Philip Treacy headpiece – but the true beauty behind the look lies in the clear nod to African-American couturier Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley.
Photo: Getty
Elizabeth Hobbs was an accomplished seamstress and dressmaker from the late 19th century who called First Ladies Varina Davis and Mary Todd Lincoln regular clients. She was born in Virginia during slavery and later bought her freedom through her exceptional abilities as a seamstress and dressmaker. This is when she’d make her way to Washington, D.C. where her legacy would continue to flourish.
Keckley rose to fashion fame, sewing and tailoring for the women of notable families at the time. Apart from being a dress maker, she was also an author and activist in her own right. Elizabeth Keckley was an is an inspiration to many designers, past, present and future.
Photo: Getty
A telling story of what gilded glamour means from a different perspective. We commend SJP for such an iconic fashion moment, and for using this occasion to showcase black talent and shed light on black history! What a true class act.
If you tuned in to Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Season 14 Premiere last night, you might have seen a familiar face!
That’s right, I attended Marlo Hampton’s Le Archive party wearing a Nadia coat from FashionBombDailyShop.com and Hair from IndiqueHair.com! In a confessional, Marlo calls us the #1 Black Blog in the World. So Cool!
Can you feel it? The season for weddings is on the horizon! There are lots of trends floating around, so picking out that perfectly matched ensemble can definitely appear daunting. Luckily for you, you don’t have to invent anything! With this style guide by Fashion Bomb Daily, there is something for every guest, bridesmaid or groomsman! Scroll to shop some amazing new styles and trends to last you through the rest of spring and all summer long:
Visit TheStateofFashion.Bulletin.com to read about Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson’s first official public appearance together at the White House Association Correspondents Dinner:
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 30: Pete Davidson and Kim Kardashian attend the 2022 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 30, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
While Kim wore crystal mesh Balenciaga haute couture, Pete rocked a simple suit with Vans and Prada shades. I write, “So many of us are scratching our heads because they seem like such an unlikely pairing. Kim gives high wattage glamour, whereas Pete gives off a more understated energy. But few can deny that she looks really happy.”
On May 2nd 2022, Vogue is returning with the awaited Met Gala! ‘Guilded Glamour’ is this year’s selected theme by Anna Wintour, which references the historical period between 1870 to 1900 in 19th century America. We’re talking Birdgerton, The Harder They Fall, princess-line dresses and Victorian fashion. The white-tie affair hosted by Regina King, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds as well as Lin-Manuel Miranda, will be nothing short of ravishing, even if both our fave style queens, Rihanna and Zendaya, are unconfirmed to be in attendance. Here is everything we know about the upcoming Met Gala when it comes to outfits, guests and designers!
Word on the street is several celebrities are said to be wearing Moschino to the high fashion event, including Megan Thee Stallion, Anitta, Manu Rios and Vanessa Hudgens.
Photo of Megan Thee Stallion: IG/ReproductionPhoto of Anita and Jeremy Fox in Moschino: Getty
Rumour also has it that Adele will attend in Saint Laurent!
The Kardashians are set to make quite the statement themselves, with Kourtney potentially sporting a Dolce and Gabanna design while fans think Kim could be wearing the Bob Mackie gown worn by Marilyn Monroe wore while singing John F. Kenndedy ‘Happy Birthday’ back in 1962.
Photo: Getty
Chiara Ferragni and Fedez, the celebrity power couple from Italy, will reportedly be dressed by Versace.
Chiara Ferragni and Donatella Versace: IG/Reproduction
While we can definitely expect to see many archival numbers on the red carpet, here are some looks from recent designer runways that could make an appearance:
Christopher John Rodgers – Pre-Fall 2022
Photo: César Buitrago / Courtesy of Christopher John Rogers
Thom Browne – FW22
Photo: Dan Lecca
Schiaparelli Spring 2022 Couture
Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com
Jean Paul Gaultier – Spring 2022 Couture
Photo: Arnaud Lajeunie / Courtesy of Jean Paul Gaultier
Which other celebrity/designer pairing do you guys want to see at the carpet?
Fashion Bomb Daily was graciously invited to attend the Memorial Service of the late Vogue Editor and Fashion Icon, Andre Leon Talley. Titans in the world of style, including Naomi Campbell, Anna Wintour, Edward Enninful, Pat McGrath, Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg, Bethann Hardison, Kimora Lee Simmons, Bevy Smith, Emil Wilbekin, Audrey Smaltz, Carolina Herrera, Teri Agins, Dario Calmese, Laquan Smith, Robin Givhan, Zac Posen, Prabal Gurung, Derek Blasberg, Veronica Webb, Fern Mallis,Carly Cushnie, Robert Verdi, Jay Alexander, Law Roach, Kerby Jean-Raymond, Anifa Mvuemba, along with icons in adjacent industries including Martha Stewart, Gayle King, Sandra Bernhard,and Paul Wilmot gathered to honor the legacy of a man who was frequently called “Larger than Life.” Talley, with his fierce and fearless energy, brought people together after his untimely passing, uniting souls across socioeconomic, class, and cultural backgrounds. While he was ‘the only one’ in many rooms for many years, his memorial brought a diverse range of people together, showing that unity and humanity can exist, even in the playground of The Devil Wears Prada.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 29: A view of tribute photograph on display at the André Leon Talley Celebration of Life at The Abyssinian Baptist Church on April 29, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for the Estate of André Leon Talley)
As he said in his final tome, The Chiffon Trenches, “ You must wake up and create your own miracles every day. I went through my life on the strength of hope, and the memory of my ancestors, and the people who showed me unconditional love.”