What the frock!

Sew it seams that Jaq and Bel have found their signature style dress, this is the dress that the label will be associated with, that people will talk about and will differentiate Jaq and Bel from the rest of the crowd.  It has already been featured in Woman and Home and Glamour magazine, with its next prospective move going to television. 

This soft, flowing, feminine gown allows a woman to feel sexy no matter her body type or style.  It does not constrict the figure, if anything it is so comfortable that you would want one for every day of the week.  What makes this particular dress so special is that it is a very simple, classic style from the front, with the signature Jaq and Bel surprise element of a tasteful, sheer, sexy open back, without being too revealing.  It oozes an understated sexiness that most women work very hard to achieve, and is now handed to you on silver platter.

The dress started off in black, and has been made in a wide range of colours, from colouring-blocking fuchsia pink and bright orange to navy, cerise and purple and it seems to be a hit no matter what the colour.  What’s great is that with just a few accessory tweaks, you can take it from a day at lunch with the girls to an important event in the evening, making the versatility of this particular frock vast.

So ladies, why not get into the shopping mood and go check out the signature Jaq and Bel frock, you will not be disappointed.

Photograph by Roxanne Lindenberg

 

Available at www.jaqandbel.co.za or Egality, 25, 4^th Avenue, Parkhurst, Johannesburg

Put a Spring in your step...

Sew it seams that Spring is here and everyone looks ready to clear out their old heavy winter jerseys and bring in the new light and airy Summer dresses, shorts and t-shirts.  Personally, I have a Spring-time ritual of purging clothing that I no longer wear or fit into, and it makes your entire wardrobe seem so fresh and new.  My rule is...”if you haven’t worn it for the past year it should be donated or thrown out”.

Although, my favourite part of the new season is the shopping, the excitement of seeing all the latest trends and colours, and getting energized for the season ahead, thinking of outfits to wear and accessories to match.  Especially this season, with all the beautiful pastel colours for the girls and guys forming the bulk of the Spring/Summer 2012 trends.  What is even more exciting now is that we have beautiful international stores in South Africa, such as Zara, Cotton On and Topshop (flagship store arriving in Sandton City at the end of November 2012), with a Topman included for the guys.  This affords the South African consumer the opportunity to show the European market what we can do with European trends, and I have a feeling that we are going to blow them away with our keen eye for an amazing ensemble, combining our unique South African style with what’s hot in the rest of the world.

And if that wasn’t enough, we have also come up-to-date with our online shopping experiences, with big South African brands such as Woolworths and Mr Price giving us the opportunity to purchase our favourite items from the comfort of our own homes, and have it delivered straight to our door.  Even though I feel that this takes away from our store shopping experience, it is very convenient for the lifestyle that most of us live in today’s world. 

So whether it is shopping online or going to the mall, put a Spring in your step and get inspired for the season.  Happy shopping!

Pretty in Pastel!

Sew it seams that Summer is approaching and what an exciting Summer this will be, with the substance of the trends leaning towards a pastel colour palette, I am so excited to see what the South African fashion industry is going to produce. 

Jaq and Bel are currently producing their summer range, and it’s filled with pastel colours and pops of acid drop detailing.  The pair have designed a delicious selection of dresses from 1950’s silhouettes to sleek fitted styles in an array of beautiful cottons and pulled through by a uniting theme of colour and clean lines.  Perfectly on trend without being overzealous, the detailing in the collection is subtle but striking enough to make a statement.  Piping is used to define panels and collars added to create interest around necklines.

The 50’s inspired dresses are quirky and fun, colour blocked in powder blue, nude pink and lemon sorbet yellow, with the usual Jaq and Bel surprise element of a peeping open back. 

Clean lines and the distinctive Jaq and Bel structure define the figure-hugging, sleek dresses of this collection, suitable for any occasion

The shift dresses of the collection are a fresh take on the baby doll dress, with their contrast of soft pastel colours and hard exposed metal zips.  In comfortable stretch cotton, these are the perfect dresses for any summer’s day.  

The last element of the collection falls in the fun 2-piece outfits.  With an exposed midriff these outfits arouse a sense of Summer adventure and flirtatiousness.

Overall the collection is fun, fresh and flirty and the eye-catching sorbet colours will have your mouth watering for more.

One thread at a time...

Sew it seams that the South African fashion industry is a strange one, with consumers who want the latest trends but only a handful of people are willing to wear these trends to their fullest potential.  I am not saying, wear a head-to-toe trended outfit that you saw on FTV, or in the latest edition of French Vogue, but be a little daring, take your classics in your wardrobe and pair them with the latest mint green platform heels or studded collar leather jacket.  It’s a matter of feeling inspired by the “look” that you aspire to, adapting it to your style, finding what suits your body type and what you actually like.  As opposed to viewing an entire look as it is, take the pieces that work for you, and create a style.

The main problem is that we are living in a conservative country, where even the buyers in big department stores and individual designers are too scared to release anything too outrageous for fear of failure in the industry, due to lack of interest.

This is not something that has to be an intricate task, nor does it have to be expensive, it’s as simple as having an open mind and breaking your usual “cycle” of shopping.  Try this…next time you go into a fashion retailer, try something on that you would not ordinarily have looked at, this is a way of finding new styles and silhouettes to suit you.  You may try five items on that don’t look fantastic, but the sixth one could be the passage to a new style.  A style is something that is created, not bought, try it out…one thread at a time.

Sew Retro...

Sew it seams that winter comes in stages, as does the Autumn/Winter 2012 collection of Jaq and Bel, with the duo installing part 2 of their collection into Egality this weekend.  The second part of the collection is inspired by the futuristic ladies’ fashion of the 1960’s, evident in their styling, silhouettes and panelled colour blocking.

The shirts in the collection vary from a-line silhouettes with asymmetric pleat detailing, to double-dart, colour-blocked fitted shirts.  Futuristic double-collar detailing gives a simple white shirt a more current look, with colour blocked cuffs and button stand. 

A contemporary, softer version of the shirt dress in white on black, is sure to be received well by the consumer, as it presents itself with a very flattering silhouette, as well as a tailed hemline and interesting pleat detailing.  An a-line denim skirt will also be available in stores, at a flattering, on-the-knee length, this will be a staple for any ladies wardrobe this season, perfectly paired with the fitted white shirt it produces a beautifully flattering profile.

Part 2 of the collection falls in neatly with the design aesthetics of a distinctive Jaq and Bel collection.  Ladies, get ready to stock your wardrobe with the most moving retro fashion pieces seen since the swinging sixties.

Photography by Roxanne Lindenberg

Photos of Autumn/Winter 2012 Part 2 will be available at www.jaqandbel.co.za soon.