from women24
Image: Ivan Naudé

Featuring a cutting-edge line-up of both new and established South African designers, the collections will deliver an early take on the trends for the chilly season from leading lights such as Clive Rundle, Karen Ter Morshuizen of Lunar, Abigail Betz and exciting newcomers, Sanche Frolich of Story, Hangwani Nenghovhela of Rubicon, Mumsi Makhokolo of Glori, Gina and Caren Waldman of Two and Ole Ledimo of menswear range, House of Ole.

Get ready for a rose-tinted affair
This year, and drawing on fashion's current love affair with the rose-tinted colour spectrum, SSAFW has partnered with several Newtown establishments, including restaurants, bars, nightspots, bookstores and the Market Photo workshop, to literally paint the town pink and ensure that the glamour and glitz extends beyond the catwalks throughout that weekend.

In addition to la vie en rose street-lighting around Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown patrons can also expect a range of equally fashionable specials and cocktails such as the Just Pink or a Pink Delight to appear on the menu of their favourite hangouts and then to later put on their dancing shoes and join the chic set at the after-parties to be staged throughout the precinct.

The SSAFW's annual Arts and Culture Fashion Seminar
Also on offer over this period, is the SSAFW's annual Arts and Culture Fashion Seminar which will run concurrent with the winter event instead of in its traditional slot alongside the summer collections in August as has been the case for the past five years.

The seminar will feature topical industry panel discussions, pertinent presentations and innovative workshops relevant to the fashion industry and will link up with World and African literature specialist bookstore, Xarra Books, who as part of its' Newtown fashion programme, will be hosting a provocative panel discussion to examine the role of the fashion writer in the making of the beauty business.

"We are delighted to join forces with the Newtown Management District and the existing network of businesses here to ensure that one of the original and much loved entertainment areas of Johannesburg gets the healthy injection of excitement, fun and glamour it deserves from our presence. We certainly hope that by staging this event in Newtown, we will contribute to drawing the fashion crowd back to the city as well as to making them rediscover the magic of this wonderful place," said SSAFW director Lucilla Booyzen.

The Sanlam SA Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 08 Collections is open to the public and tickets are available from Ticket Connection at Ticket connection or at Ticket Connection stands. Entrance to view designer collections costs R150 per show. Both half and full-day packages are available for the Arts and Culture Seminar with prices starting from R435 ex Vat for a half-day package. Bookings may be done by email at seminars@soda.co.za.

For more info visit www.safashionweek.co.za