The Day Of The Hat

What is it about South Africans and their fixed and dogged determination to pursue outdoor lifestyles with strict adherence to seriously unfashionable headgear? I understand the necessity of a good sun block, in fact I’m all for the ultra soothing ultra hydrating replenishing moisture repair care, but what is it with the Haute Most Hideous Sunhat? It is after all, the most obvious choice of sun protection and yet when it comes to hats, we are in serious dereliction of fashionable duty.

I recall the Winter Collections from 2009, when one of the darlings of the SA Fashion Week set paraded a series of sensational cloche styled hats down the Runway – Guillotine’s inspired and innovative hats were brilliant, beautiful, beyond. More recently Loxion added a touch of a’tcha to his fedora’s as sesweshwe flava’d hats hit home with a decidedly African twist – 1 love to 1D.

The shame of the sunhat could go down in the psalms of millinery history as an unmitigated flop, but that even, would be casting serious aspersions on the humble flop. So while our counterparts in the eyewear department have pushed the limits to the “Extreme”, with an endless selection of styles at our disposal – the Fez, the Breton, the Cap, the Cossack, the Cloche, the Beret, the Panama - the time has come to make this year, the year of the hat!

Seriously Green!

It’s back to basics as the SA Fashion Week team adopts energy efficient alternatives to greening their office environment.

Green Tip of the Day:

Eco-Print and set your printer to print double-sided, save money, less waste and buy half as much paper! Check out Paper Cafés environmentally friendly range of paper

With renewed commitment to preserving our planet, eco-friendly fashion is fast becoming de rigueur for environmentally conscious individuals who prefer not to leave a carbon footprint. Pret-A-Porter Collections are opting for naturally delicate palettes - blush pink, sand through beige and richly textured browns in a myriad of textured fabrics and rigorously explored shapes. Incorporating Green Vision reflects a move towards responsibility and an appreciation for local culture – fashion fusing craft with design has long lead the way on runways with local crafting skills and techniques infusing designers creations with a soul and reverence that can’t be matched by industry and technology.