DURBAN FASHION FAIR RECOGNITION AWARDS

Durban’s glittering Durban Fashion Fair (DFF) - now in its fourth year  - ended with a bang on Saturday night with the first ever Durban Fashion Fair Recognition Awards held at the SUNdeck at Suncoast.

Top of the pops was the 2015 Durban Designer of the Year, Zama Mathe, and her brand ZARTH who

Mxolisi Mkhize of House of st Luke

was one of the 55 designers taking part to take the ultimate accolade.

This was a particularly special moment for the eThekwini Municipality which created the DFF to nurture young talent and support the development of new designers. Zama Mathe first showed her designs on the DFF ramp in 2013 and was awarded a sponsored internship to Milan as a result.

The Durban Fashion Legend Award went to another Durban success story – Andre Martin of Life. The Best Menswear Collection went to House of St Luke, whose head designer, Mxolisi Luke Mkhize, was chosen for an internship to Milan in 2012. Thula Sindi’s designs earned the Collection of the Week award while footwear designer, Reggie Xaba, of Yellow Folder Trading, was presented with the Fashion Innovator of the Year Award.

Sadie Boswell Smith collected the Next Generation Emerging Durban Designer of the Year

Sadie Bosworth Smith with a model wearing one of her creations

Award while the Fashion Business Award went to Mac Cosmetics. The international guest designer award went to Jamal Taslaq (JAMAL TASLAQ COUTURE). On the modelling front, the new faces of the year were Twinky Dimba (woman) and Olwethu Cele (men).

The eagerly awaited naming of the ten interns chosen to go to Milan for a two month internship marked the highlight of the awards evening. The top three - Eli Ball (Eli Ball- Made in Africa), Blaire Hill (Bamboo Hill) and Neliswa Jili (Makuyi Design) – were presented with Rising Stars Awards.

They will be accompanied to Milan next month by Sadie Bosworth Smith (Sadie Bosworth), Kat Shoesmith (KSD- Kat Shoesmith Designs), Khanyisile Malimela (Khanyi), Nokubonga 

Mbambo (Tymles Creations), Zamir Dada (BEL1EV) Nontuthuko Langa (Endless Inspirations)and Thulisiwe Zakwe (RUUTZ).

For more information go to www.facebook.com/DurbanFashionFair

 Pictures By : Simphiwe Kevin Photography

SA's TOP ARTISTS ALL SET TO ROCK DURBAN

“My fans can definitely expect a mean, energetic performance,” promises Khuli Chana as he counts
down the days to BP Durban Day with East Coast Radio on 6 September 2015. The Motswako originator made a brief appearance for a special performance with The Parlotones at last year’s event. This year he will be bringing down the curtain on the all-star line-up at People’s Park, Moses

khuli Chana

Mabhida Stadium. “I’m looking forward to interacting with my fans and to see their reaction to my new music!” he says.

 

Chana has been hard at work on new material, saying the next few months will be spent in studio, releasing new music and crafting new music videos.  Asked about what he loves the most about Durban, he replies, “The people, the language and the serene environment!”

 

Chana is part of a smoking hot line-up that will set pulses racing at BP Durban Day with East Coast Radio. AKA, MonArk, Beatenberg, MiCasa, Matthew Mole, Mafikizolo, Veranda Panda,

Mafikizolo

Thandiswa Mazwai and Prime Circle are just as amped about performing for their KZN fans.

 

The guys from Cape Town pop band, Beatenberg, are looking forward to Durban’s unique vibe. “We totally love your energy, and we love the people of Durban!” They too have been hard at work on new music over the past few months and say fans can look forward to some great things.

 

Durban band, Veranda Panda, will bring their usual brand of high-energy violin-meets-machines live show, playing a lot of their new material and throwing in a few surprise performing guests. “We are so excited to play this event,” says the group’s Jane Baillie, adding that they’re super-excited about rocking out in front of a massive home crowd. “We’ve spent quite a bit of time experimenting with our sound, and working on new music and we plan to release a brand new EP of our music soon, which we are very excited about.”

 

Micasa

“Durbanites always bring such a vibe!” says Cape Town guitar maestro, Matthew Mole. “I'll be playing some older songs as well as quite a few of the new songs I've been working on. My favourite thing about Durban is the people. I've never been anywhere else in the world where people are so friendly and welcoming.” Mole will be taking time off touring over the next few months to get married!

 

Newlands East performer, Simthandile Mtolo, will have the honour of being the opening act at BP Durban Day with East Coast after winning the station’s #BeTheBand competition last weekend.  “I will do everyone proud!” she promises.

 

Tickets for BP Durban Day with East Coast Radio
 are available at Computicket at R180.
Free entry to under 3's and R20 for kids between 3
 and 12.

AKA

Gates open at 11.30am.

 

Gates open at 11.30am.

FOR WOMEN WHO ARE BOLD IN THEIR CURVES

Woman`s Month, New Brand. What better way than to celebrate it in style.

Bold in Curves will be hosting an exclusive Woman`s day Celebration, on this evening we plan on having a fashion show, prizes and entertainment.

The aim of this evening is to Celebrate woman with Curves, embrace them, motivate them and build an image that will last forever.

Bold in Curves is an Advertising and Events company that focuses on Curvy plus size women. The main aim is to make  curvy fuller figure ladies proud and confident in their bodies while they stand out from the rest. The market has focused a lot on skinny models and has left thick Curvy woman out which is a bit unfair, that is why we came up with this concept of building a big brand for fuller figure women and also be heard  and to give their platform out to play on . Beauty isn`t about size, we`re always pushed down because people think we`re fat just because we`re not a size zero.

Bold in Curves will help women be comfortable in their skin, a woman`s life is always full of drama, besides the looks. So worrying about the looks adds to the stress levels we deal with daily. Body confidence doesn`t come from trying to achieve the perfect body, it comes from embracing the one you`ve already got.

Events Details :

Date   : 28 August 2015
Venue : 47th inter site Avenue, Springfield,Durban
Time   :

What you get for your R250
-Champagne on arrival
-Cocktail Snacks
-Fashion Show from local designers
- Pampering
-Exclusive VIP After Party Experience

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT : Bongekile Nzama Cell : 071 070 6924

Brian McKnight Live in Concert - The Sequel

After sold out shows around the country including Tamia and Tevin Campbell, Marmalade Productions is proud to announce the multi award winning Brian McKnight live in concert in South Africa - September 2015 to include Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

As an artist who needs no introduction, Brian McKnight has earned himself a spot in contemporary music history. He has released 15 albums to date, with several going 2 and 3 x platinum, and he has sold over 30 million albums worldwide.

 In addition to being a singer, songwriter and producer, McKnight is also a talented and charismatic personality who has hosted “Soul Session Countdown with Brian McKnight” on BETJ. In addition, “The Brian McKnight Morning Show” on KTWV the Wave Smooth Jazz radio station, was a Top 5 rated show 2 years running. In 2009 Brian started hosting his own radio show “The Brian McKnight Show” which ran in over 60 markets and was syndicated through ABC Radio. Brian also hosted his own nationally syndicated TV show “The Brian McKnight Show” which was syndicated in over 200 markets.

Journalists who have interviewed McKnight over the years are usually caught off guard by his humor as well as his deep understanding of the entertainment industry as both a professional and a fan.

McKnight has also used his vast industry knowledge as a red carpet host for Extra! In 2007, McKnight stepped into Broadway with a successful run as Billy Flynn in Chicago. 

He was also a contestant on the Donald Trump hit show “Celebrity Apprentice” and is toured nationwide in 2009 in the play “Cheaper to Keep Her” with Vivica A. Fox.

Born in Buffalo, New York, McKnight’s musical career began in childhood when he became a member of his church NY choir and a bandleader for his high school, Sweet Home High School. By the age of 19, he signed his first recording deal with Mercury Records. In 1992, his self-titled album “Brian McKnight” was released followed by “I Remember You” (1995) and “Anytime” (1997). “Anytime” sold over two million copies and was nominated for a Grammy. In 199 McKnight released “Back at One” on Motown Records, which sold over three million copies. During his career, McKnight has worked with Quincy Jones, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, Diddy, Christina Aguilera, Rascal Flatts, Nelly, Vanessa Williams, Willie Nelson and Kenny G.

Along with 16 Grammy nominations, Brian McKnight has been the recipient of American Music Awards, Soul Train Awards, NAACP Image and Blockbuster Awards, and Billboard Songwriter of The Year. He has successfully navigated the boundaries of EVERY entertainment medium in an industry that is known for its revolving door of artists.

Brian McKnight will be releasing his soulful 16^th album “Better” in August this year, he is not only getting better with age, but also with life, love and music – a journey echoed in the sounds and lyrics of his most heart-felt album to date. “I’m taking it back to basics,” McKnight explains of the new album. “Creating music like we did 20 years ago – completely organic, all real instruments. The truth is, I’m in love and love makes us better, it makes us come alive, and I wanted to convey that through this album in a very relatable, authentic way.”

Support acts in each city will be announced in September. Fans can be assured of a great night out!!!

Don’t miss out on a great evening of his best and most favourite hits.

Show: 'Brian McKnight live in concert - The Sequel'                                      

Date & Venue: Wednesday 16 September - Moses Mabhida stadium, Durban

Thursday 17^th September 2015 – Grand Arena, GrandWest, Cape Town

Saturday 19 September – Carnival City Festival Lawns, Johannesburg

Show time: 20h00 Durban – 20h00 Cape Town -19h00 Johannesburg

Duration of the show: 90 minutes

Book now:  Computicket and Shoprite Checkers

Ticket prices: from R295.00

Marmalade Productions:  www.marmaladeproductions.co.za; Facebook (marmaladeproductions) and twitter (@MarmaladeProduc)

Official Hashtag: #BrianMcKnightSA    

For more information:  Gail Force Media                                                                                                       André Gilbertson * 083 448 7047 * andre@gailforcemedia.com