The Audi Johannesburg Fashion Week kicked off with its exciting autumn and winter collections. The four day fashion showcase features some of the country’s best designers unveiling their creative forecast of the season’s trends.

Below are some of our favorite picks off the 2010 Audi Joburg Fashion Week Runway.

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Fashion Week is a thrill and pure heaven for every and any fashionista but it’s not all glitz and glamour. Days of entertaining disorderly queues to proudly get a seat assignment can wear down even the most resilient fashion lover. Still, the highs outweigh the lows, so I’ll be back next season. Here’s my recap of the Arise Promise of Africa Fashion Collective which was the focus of my journey to Bryant Park. Four designers excited our senses with color, texture, fringes and flair. We saw the good, the better, and the swag.

The Tifany Amber collection screamed spring with the vibrant kaleidoscopes of artist Kolade Oshinowo. Abstract digital prints, an interpretation of an urban Lagos scene painted by the artist, sat alongside fine Chantilly lace and glamorous metallic weaves taking a cue from Diana Ross in the 1974 Motown hit. Mahogany with voluminous skirts and billowing sleeves; a collection for city nights or luxury resort living and I could hardly resist. My favorites were many but I particularly loved the aquamarine chantilly lace overlay shift dress.

South Afica’s David Tlale also caught my attention with the short black fringed skirt with fringed black pleated top. Karolin who modeled the dress rocked it too. Black seemed to dominate his collection and I found that a little odd for Spring when vibrant colors seemed to rule but every girl needs a little black outfit and David Tlale added some flair to the lot. His inspiration was Africa’s diverse cultural heritage – from the San to the Ndebele tribes; attempting to capture Africa’s artistic wealth.

Eric Raisina captured the vibrancy of his home town, Madagascar. We experienced his inspiration from the bustling sensuous markets, jacarandas in full bloom, the deep blue of the Indian Ocean and the gradations of red laterite at the island’s centre. My favorites were the red silk ribbon stitched on leopard tulle halter neck long bias dress and the dark aubergine and silver tie-died silk chiffon trimmed long halter neck dress with pleated front.

Jewel by Lisa brought us Ankara prints laden with hand-embellishments that transcend global fashions. New York women will fit right in with this collection; the snippy shorts, slim leg pants, mini cocktail frocks and leather-mix biker jackets in a cacophony of color off-set with batik-inspired silk prints. She left an indelible mark on her Ankara designs and I could see a good number of her pieces in my closet; the multi-colored circle print beaded long dress, the red and mustard swirl print cocktail dress with crystal and glass beaded detail, the leather cut out mini dress and the list goes on.

Overall it was a great show and our senses were excited with color, texture and creativity. I could hardly resist the urge of getting my hands on some of the pieces for shoots and my wardrobe; falling prey to the beauty that had just unfolded like a kid in the candy store. After asking Folake Coker of Tifany Amber about some of her pieces she regrettably informed me that her clothes are currently not distributed in the US just yet; something she hopes to change sometime soon. That is an unfortunate predicament for some of these Africa based designers who get loads of exposure from fashion week but are unable to fully explore the potential and opportunities that result from the exposure.

I did have a major disappointment though. I noticed that despite all the hype last year about getting runway models to gain weight or using healthier models on the runway, a good number of the girls I saw at the Arise Promise of Africa Collective runway were not only really skinny but looked quite hungry with bones sticking out. I could not fathom why the designers made such picks because they only took away from some of the beautiful outfits. One case in point was the model who walked for Jewel By Lisa to showcase the multi-colored circle print beaded long dress. I believe her name is Iris. Seeing her bones stick out was awful. I was seriously concerned.

A model was reported to have actually passed out at Jeffrey Chow’s first collection for the Poleci presentation the next day with producers having to put cold Coca-Cola cans on her head and feed her fruit to bring her back. Hopefully next year, the designers will set an example with the girls they select to showcase their beautiful clothes.

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The runways of Johannesburg have been lighted up with colorful fabrics, Ankara styles and creative designs at the Arise Africa Fashion Week. The first day saw six of the most talented African Designers, Ituen Basi, Sika Designs, L’or d’Afrique by AUDITIONS, Christie Brown, Nkwo and David Tlale. Top models like Millen Magese (face of the Africa Fashion Week), Victoria’s Secret angel Oluchi Onweagba, Ajuma Nasanyana (face of Vivienne Westwood), Warebi Martha and Bisi Showemimo added glamor to the runway showcasing Africa’s best designers.

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On May 23rd, Darling Hair Products Presented Ally Rehmtullah’s DELECTABLES collection in Dar Es Salaam at The Moevenpick Royal Palm Hotel.

The new collection was co-sponsored by Oddysey International, Sea Cliff Casino, Kempinski Casino, Redds Fruit fusion, Eyecatcherz, Ashton Media, Tohatsu,Zain, Hugo Domingo, Sawan Tanzania, i-view Photography, DarLife and Dar411.

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All the theatre and drama of couture fashion was present at the African Vibes Magazine 3rd Anniversary I WEAR AFRICAN Campaign launch which took place over the weekend. The campaign, an initiative of Amabel Niba, the magazine’s Founder and Editorial Director generated lots of excitement as guests were encouraged to dress in Africa inspired fashions.

The event was a parade of glamorous evening wear as well as innovative couture and luxury wear from 8 Designers. The mood of the show ran the gamut from dramatic to sensual, whimsical to classic, traditional to eclectic. The wall to wall enthusiastic audience of socialites, fashion lovers and editors from different parts of the country and abroad flocked to the perennially elegant event April 18, 2009 to enjoy couture and a luxury fashion showcase by designers from Ghana, Cameroon, Sudan and DR Congo. Showcased labels were Bothdoll Fashions, Cote Minou, KiRette Couture, Knaf Couture, Modahnik and Studio D Maxsi. Guests received goodie bags with beauty items from Supporting Sponsor Milani Cosmetics and were served exotic hors d’oeuvres from Africa along with samples of juices from Silver Sponsor, Barrel Juice. Performances by emerging entertainers Les Belles D’Afrique and Stephane Afeni (S.A) also enchanted attendees.

“It is always a great feeling when we celebrate our growth and that feeling only gets better with the launching of this campaign. I was quite touched by the turnout and guests who came out showing off their beautiful African outfits. The launching was a great success, ” said Niba, who dressed for the occasion in a beautifully crafted cream-colored 2 piece outfit straight off the Runway by Afua Sam of Studio D Maxsi; later on changing into a pink strapless frock dress with special markings native to Cameroon by Kirette Couture.

The campaign is just one of the many initiatives the publication is engaged in to stay true to its goal of connecting the world to Africa.

JOIN THE I WEAR AFRICAN FAN PAGE ON FACEBOOK >>

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Event Highlights from VOA

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Audi Joburg Fashion Week, now in its third year, takes place in Johannesburg over four days from 21 to 24 January 2009.

Audi Joburg Fashion Week showcases the best of South African design talent to a global audience of media, fashion buyers and consumers.

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