An Inside Look Into Ted Baker’s First Store In South Africa

Ted Baker launched his first store in South Africa within Sandton City, Johannesburg.  The 1960 square foot retail space will house Ted’s SS16 menswear, womenswear and accessory collections.

Every Ted Baker store design is bespoke and no two are the same.  For this project, inspiration has been taken from Johannesburg’s famous Shakespeare garden, whereby plants mentioned within the works of William Shakespeare are cultivated in a beautiful and serene setting.  With Ted also being an avid gardener himself, he wanted to bring his horticultural talent and a little Elizabethan grandeur found in England, to South Africa. 

An ornate Elizabethan wooden framed store front and antique oak floor with a black and white chequered in-lay, welcomes customers to the new space.  Plants and hanging greenery trail down behind the glazed shop front and an ornate gilded ceiling feature is reminiscent of a British stately home.

Conservatory style panelled walls with lush green plants behind the arches act as a hiding place for famous Shakespearean symbols and artefacts.  The skull from ‘Hamlet’ and the scales from ‘The Merchant of Venice’ are just a few of the treasures that can be found.  Sumptuous, heavy velvet fabrics and drapes fall from the ceiling, softening the interior.   Neon quotes on the wall mark the menswear and womenswear shopping areas; “The soul of the man is his clothes” and, “And though she be but little, she is fierce” – A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

G-Star RAW Launches a G-Star Women Store in Johannesburg

On Thursday, 3 December 2015, G-Star RAW opened its first store in South Africa featuring a unique retail concept for female consumers – G-Star Women.

This specialist store, situated in Hyde Park Corner in Johannesburg, will showcase the brand’s expertise in women’s denim, offering a wide range of modern jeans designs that compliments the female shape as a well a fully tailored shopping experience.

Projected by G-Star’s in-house 3D Design department and womenswear designers, the women’s store highlights the feminine side of RAW. G-Star’s “unexpected combinations” philosophy - believing that innovation comes from combining contrasting elements - is exemplified in the store design. 

The store features concrete panels with soft white rounded edge finishing, parquet flooring, combined with long curtains in heavy industrial fabrics with chic leather details.

Visit the Store at Hyde Park Corner:Corner Jan Smuts Avenue and William Nicol Drive. 

Entrances on 6th Road, Hyde Park, Johannesburg

Tommy Hilfiger Opens a Standalone Store in Eastgate Mall

Tommy Hilfiger has launched its second standalone store in Johannesburg after Sandton City in the popular Eastgate Mall in Johannesburg. The store houses Hilfiger Denim, Tommy Hilfiger Tailored & Tommy Hilfiger Mainline Women’s & Men’s collections and is operated by Stuttafords (exclusive distributor partner of Tommy Hilfiger South Africa).

The store currently showcases the latest Spring Summer 2016 collections for men and women, along with accessories including footwear, handbags and underwear. Its interior is designed to reflect the mix of classic and modern influences that epitomize Tommy Hilfiger’s “preppy with a twist” heritage. American antiques, vintage fixtures and industrial accents throughout the space reflect the brand’s cool, rock-and-roll, all-American spirit.

The first Tommy Hilfiger standalone store opened in illustrious V&A in April 2013, closely followed by Sandton City in November of the same year. The Eastgate Tommy Hilfiger standalone marks the third of a number stores scheduled to open in prime locations over the next couple of years. Tommy Hilfiger is currently also available in various Stuttafords locations such as Rosebank Mall, Menlyn Park, Gateway, Canal Walk, Botswana (Airport Junction & Game City) & Namibia (Maerua Mall). 

Store Details:

Tommy Hilfiger

Shop U12

Eastgate Shopping Centre

43 Bradford Road

Bedfordview

2008

G-Star RAW x Boiler Room Shuts Johannesburg Down!

Image Credit: Temple Records label (Twitter)

 Last week G-Star RAW x Boiler Room shut Johannesburg down with a RAW Session at AndClub in Newtown. Over 300 of Johannesburg’s fashion and music industry leaders joined the RAW session movement. Guests were welcomed with the newly launched Belvedere Pink Grapefruit cocktails. 

Image Credit: Temple Records label (Twitter)

Okmalumkoolkat performed with his musical crew BoyznBucks, including Riky Rick, Scoop Makhathini, Stilo Magolide, Mkay Frash, uSanele, Phiko and Thegooddokta played a special BR-curated live broadcast. Also, DJ Lag, alongside other rising South African talents Nonku Phiri and Themba Lunacy.

Image Credit: Temple Records label (Twitter)

The RAW Sessions project is a touring series of events and short films, which unite the frontier of musical and directorial talents across the world. For Johannesburg’s edition film, G-Star took a journey into the tropical underground of the Gqom scene in Durban, South Africa as viewed through the lens of local filmmaker Chris Kets.

The documentary style work stars DJ Lag as he tells the story of this new genre and its subculture. Also making an appearance is Durban native and godfather of the Gqom sound Okmalumkoolkat.

See the short film story below:

Boiler Room x G-Star RAW: Johannesburg, A Film... by brtvofficial

Click here for more information on the RAW Sessions series.

J.C. Le Roux to Partner with Award Winning Chef on a Tantalising Tasting Menu

Seasoned chef Martin Kobald brings you a feast of the senses with an array of exquisite nibbles, perfectly paired with the elegant J.C. Le Roux Méthode Cap Classique at this year’s Taste of Joburg, held from 24 – 27 September 2015.

Austrian born Kobald, Honorary President of the South African Chefs Association, will present four bespoke pairings that will each bring out the unique flavour profile of J.C. Le Roux La Vallée, La Vallée Rosé, Brut and the signature Cap Classique, Scintilla 2008.

Boasting creamy buttery tones, the palate pleasing demi-sec La Vallée will be paired with a Thai inspired chicken salad in a crisp wonton cup.  A pairing the chef thoughtfully selected to enhance the irresistible flavours of lemongrass, coconut and coriander. For the blushing La Vallée Rosé with its hint of sweetness, Kobald created a local favourite of Cape Malay beef curry bunny chow topped with fruity mango chutney. “As the curry spices tantalise your taste buds, the mango chutney and fruit tones of La Vallée Rosé leave a sensation of sweetness in your mouth resulting in the perfect bite!” he enthuses.

Not to be missed is the delicate terrine of smoked line fish with green asparagus and remoulade that melds seamlessly with the Brut’s crisp and refreshing Pinot noir. J.C. Le Roux’s signature Cap Classique, Scintilla 2008, has been expertly paired with delectable whole-wheat ravioli filled with wild mushroom and cheese, with grilled courgette and artichoke. Each J.C. Le Roux Cap Classique is crafted in the time-honoured French tradition whereby the delicate bubbles are created and captured in every bottle during a process of secondary fermentation. South African bubblies made in this way are known as Méthode Cap Classique, as only the French version may be called champagne.

No stranger to the international culinary field, Kobald is currently the Global Chairman for the World Chefs Without Boarders, as well as the figurehead for his own personal brand, ChefMLK. He recently received international accreditation from City & Guilds in London to train inspiring cooks to become professional chefs, with the first intake of students for the eight month Certificate Course starting in March 2015 and again in July 2015.  

Part of his busy schedule is his role as convener of the Bidvest World Chefs Tour Against Hunger which, together with over 260 chefs from 45 countries, raised over R8 million in aid of feeding over 5 000 children daily for up to five years. Fans of foodie television will also recognise him from kykNET’s Bring & Braai and Chopped SA on DSTV.

The annual Taste of Joburg at the Monte Casino Outdoor Event Area offers food lovers absolute gourmet pleasure, representing the best of South African producers. Tickets are available from R80, visit www.tasteofjoburg.com or itickets.com.

For more information visit www.jcleroux.co.za and www.facebook.com/HouseofJCLeRoux. Be part of the conversation and follow @JCLeRoux on Twitter and @HOUSEOFJCLEROUX on Instagram.

Introducing a Selection of Eye Catching Hand Crafted Belts by Missibaba

On Wednesday, 9 September 2015, luxury leather accessory label Missibaba held a Pop Up in Johannesburg alongside jewellery designer Kirsten Goss and milliner Crystal Birch that saw each brand launching an exciting new collection.

Missibaba was proud to unveil their latest offering which included a selection of eye catching hand crafted belts. as part of the Iconic Missibaba Collection.

The Swan, Mustang, Tux, Cleopatra Waist Clincher and Simple belt styles were revisited by the design team and given an effervescent pop. A glorious array of Argentinian leathers in brights, suedes and metallics have been expertly paired with beautiful butter soft leathers, sourced from a local tannery.

Missibaba also unvelied an exciting new belt style, Le Left Bank, which is sure to have fashion hearts a flutter! The inspiration for the new beauty is the Hamsa Hand, a protective symbol to counter the envious/evil eye. The design boasts a marvellous sun kissed arm, which wraps around your waist, fastening with a suede glove clad hand.

Visit the Missibaba flagship store at 229 Bree Street, Cape Town or at Shop 3, 64 St Andrew Street, Birdhaven in Johannesburg!

adidas Originals Superstar x The Sartists – 'Its Not About Us' Global Campaign, Local Flavor

Earlier this year adidas Originals kicked off a global campaign with a star-studded TVC that challenged the notion of what it means to be a superstar.

The push – one of the largest ever for the Originals brand – celebrates the 45th anniversary of the Superstar, adidas Originals’ most iconic and one of its best-selling shoes. It features Rita Ora, David Beckham, Pharrell Williams and Damian Lillard together in the ad and plays with the idea of self-expression while challenging conventional definitions of superstardom.

The campaign sees a number of further collaborations with two of the artists who appear in the advertisement, Pharrell Williams and Rita Ora. The Pharrell drops have seen unprecedented success in South Africa and after the groundbreaking Supercolor release in April, Pharrell is back with the FW15 release of Supershell.

As the creator and curator of this fresh new concept, the Supershell Collection sees Pharrell hand-pick friends and creatives from around the world to reinvent the shoe for the very first time. The result is the Superstar shelltoe coming alive with these creatives’ bespoke artwork, joined by six of Pharrell’s very own designs. Along with Pharrell’s, the collection of NYC contemporary designer Todd James and Japanese artist Mr., will be available in South Africa.

“Supershell is all about evolving the Superstar shoe into a canvas for creation. It’s the third part of our #OriginalSuperstar campaign and it is aimed at giving those with creative courage the platform to express themselves without being swayed by opinion” says Ricole Green, spokesperson for adidas Originals in South Africa.

“We wanted to bring the global campaign to life locally, so we went about looking for an opportunity to work with artists in South Africa who personified the essence of the Superstar.”

The result is a powerful documentary style short film titled ‘It’s Not About Us’ which follows the journey of The Sartists, a Johannesburg-based creative collective, who aim to recreate and communicate authentic and untold African stories through fashion and photography.

It’s an intimate portrait of three unique characters - Kabelo Kungwane, Wanda Lephoto and Xzavier Zulu – and their shared passion for creativity which is brought to life through the photographic lense of Andile Buka. The film reveals their motivations, fears and dreams as they work tirelessly towards their first ‘big break’ – a collaboration with adidas Originals for the launch of Supershell in South Africa.

“The Sartists have been on our radar ever since they showcased their curated vintage suits and leather brogues with the iconic three stripes at one of the very first STR CRD’s in Johannesburg. Their passion for adidas, the product and the brand’s heritage is so inspiring and we’ve been waiting for the right opportunity to work with them. We believe that The Sartists are the perfect translation of the Supershell’s meaning on a local level – giving credit to artists that have developed their personal style in an effort to create for themselves without the need for external validation. They share a consistent trait with the creatives selected for the global Supershell campaign having developed their personal style with a commitment of creating for themselves – a commitment to creating for an audience of one” explains Green.

Drawing from local stories for inspiration

With The Sartists’ personal creative work spaces, the streets of Jozi and their community hangouts as the backdrop, the film captures how Kabelo, Wanda and Xzavier came to meet, where they find their inspiration and how they express their creativity without restriction.

“This film isn’t about us,” says Xzavier.  “It’s about the people who will be inspired by this. People that are going to take away from it that ‘this is possible’, even for them.  It tells a collective story – of the aspirations of our youth, of young creatives in South Africa finding their true voice and not surrendering their talent to conform.”

Wanda adds: “We’ve always been inspired by our environment and we saw it as a way of giving back – an opportunity to somehow pay creativity forward while celebrating our stories of heritage and culture. adidas Originals is for individuals whose contribution sets them apart and we wanted to do something that is going to matter to the people who see it.”

The Sartists took their inspiration for their Supershell collaboration from their influences during the kwaito era when artists like Alaska and Trompies, who played a significant role in putting the spotlight on the Pantsula sub-culture in the 1990s, were some of their favourite artists.

“Pantsula is an expression of cultural roots for many South Africans – from fashion, to music and dance. We wanted to celebrate it as a strong story of our country’s style heritage. We took that pantsula aesthetic and added them to deconstructed adidas garments to pay tribute to our culture. The collaboration was a natural fit for us. It represents our approach as creatives – we’ve been adidas fans since we were kids and we love the rich heritage it has,” explains Kabelo.

Their personal style shines through in the campaign with classic adidas Originals pieces like the Superstar track top and track pants have been transformed into customised pieces with Supershell being the undeniable inspiration. The custom garments include dungarees, one pieces, jumpsuits and bucket hats while some of the pieces also reflect iconic barbershop style paintings on the backs of their outfits.

In addition to the short film, the collaboration further includes a look book with The Sartists’ final custom creations photographed by Andile Buka, as well as an installation at AREA3 featuring the three artists. The installation was conceptualized by ANDPEOPLE, the activations agency behind the film.

The collaboration between adidas Originals and The Sartists was recently launched and celebrated at an exclusive event at AREA3 located in Braamfontein, a suburb regarded as the epicenter of South Africa’s growing street style culture.

Visit www.adidas.com/originalsuperstar for more information. Follow adidas South Africa on Twitter (@adidasZA) and Instagram (adidasZA) or join a conversation with The Sartists by using #superstar #supershell and #adidasOriginals.

i-D: Worn In - Tembisa, Johannesburg

i-D travels down to Tembisa in Johannesburg where they documented the Skhothane life for their Worn In series. As The Casa Novas and The Pro Italian Takers take it outside to the streets of Tembisa, director Pieter Hugo jumps in the middle as they battle it out wearing odd shoes, leopard print and gold grills, ritually wasting food and booze, in a battle to prove which group’s got the most cash. See the video below: