Hats Off for the SANSUI Summer Cup

SANSUI Summer Cup 2014 BannerNovember the 29th marked Johannesburg’s premier equestrian and fashion event of 2014 and lucky me, I got VIP access! Woohooo! The event? Well, the SANSUI Summer Cup, of course! The theme? “Hats Off” – Great for me because I absolutely DESPISE hat hair. 

The Face of the SANSUI Summer Cup was none other than the beautiful V-Entertainment television presenter and socialite, Dineo Moeketsi. Apparently, she was handpicked because of her abundance of elegance, fashion flare, glamourous spirit and love for horse racing. I think it was just because this chick is everywhere nowadays!

The SANSUI Summer Cup was held at Turffontein Racecourse and had every ingredient horse racing fans and Joburg’s socialites could wish for in a perfect day out; 12 staggering thoroughbred races, a plethora of celebrities and thousands of glamourous hat wearing racegoers. Racing enthusiasts, fashionistas, and jockeys were kept on the edge of their seats – or saddles – when they saw the outfits that attended the event. Here are a few of my favs and, well, not so favs:

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The Sunday Sun held some fashion awards at the event, which included Most Fashionable Couple, and obviously went to the stunning Jay Anstey and Ryan Hignett. Jay, wore this all white woman suit encompassing an open back with absolute elegance. While, Ryan, was dressed by Carducci and topped off his summer look by wearing a hat by Simon and Mary. Love the matchy-matchy!10686705_351603755011699_4048805002405386836_nAnother couple worth mentioning is Topbilling‘s Jonathan Boynton-Lee and Simba Mhere. Both, playing with pastel colours and adding the shades to make summer look stylish. These two make a great couple – don’t they? 😉10401464_351742008331207_6191054263117463426_nAnd time for the Worst Dressed of the day. CRINGE! This condom inspired outfit is completely outdated, unflattering and unfashionable! I have no idea what this woman was thinking!? It’s actually best that no-one can see her face.


Not only were horses racing, but celebs were too! 20 of SA’s hottest Celebrities took to the race track in their sporty kit with charitable competitiveness for the “Racing. It’s a Rush Celebrity Charity Dash”. A heated sprint to raise funds for the event’s official charity, SOS Children’s Village. The winning celebrity had the credit of not only being the quickest celeb on the track but also the honour to handover a whopping R475 000 to this year’s chosen charity. So out of this lot who do you think won?

The Boys: Kojo Baffoe, Alex Caige, Clive Maistry, Lorenzo Gordinho, Simba Mhere and Jonathan Boynton-Lee

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The Girls: Jen Su, Wardah Hartley, Jay Anstey, Tamerin Jardine, Stevie French, Letoya Mangezi, Zakeeya Patel, Kgomotso Meso,  Hayley Owen and Stacey Holland.10846085_741380132605511_5793600337868789128_n

Did you guess right? The overall winner between the boys and the girls, was none other than the fitness fanatic, Stacey Holland! YAY!


So here’s what The Elite TV Girls wore to the event;

10250200_10152850268640631_173862683099942444_nCandy Harris wore a beautiful high Neck fitted mini from Zara. Sheena D wore a sweetheart high-low dress from Robot Clothing and I wore a pearl lace playsuit from YDE matched with my favourite Strappy Sandal heels from Steve Madden.

With all that the SANSUI Summer Cup had to offer, the premium occasion proved once again, as it has year after year, that it is a unique union of the entertainment, sport and fashion industries in one powerful and exuberant event, making is a must for racing industry familiars, newbies, fashionistas and socialites.


To celebrate this years event The SANSUI Summer Cup paid a fun tribute to Jozi and some of its everyday jockeys – the taxi drivers. The viral video created, is a comical rhetoric about the fun and excitement of a day at the races showcased in a typically Johannesburg style via taxi drivers, which are synonymous with the city.

Keep it Fashion Fab.

LJ 

Want to know more about Lauren Jenae? Check out her website here.

Follow LJ on twitter @laurenjenaevk and instagram @laurenjenaevk


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Going Bananas for Banana Republic

elite tv (2)Last week Thursday marked the launch of the brand new Banana Republic store in Sandton City.  However, as many of you might not know, this is the San Francisco brands’ second store in the country. I know right – apparently there’s one in Cavendish Square in Claremont? How is that going to help us Joburgers, hey?  

It is so fantastic that South Africa is now becoming a part of the fashion world with the inclusion of top international brands in our stores. Banana Republic, being one of these brands, holds an approach to style, living  and a state of mind that separates it from the crowd.

You have to check out the new Banana Republic Spring 2014 campaign.  The brand’s campaign is a heartfelt nod to the modern day adventurer who appreciates the journey, not just the destination – and is obviously perfectly dressed every step of the way. This campaign was inspired by the spirit of it’s San Francisco roots and celebrates pure authenticity in it’s core qualities that define Banana Republic.

According to the Banana Republic global president, Jack Calhoun;

 “We’ve been outfitters since our days on safari, and today we outfit people for their modern lives – for all those things that make up day to day life, and especially those big and small moments that matter most.”

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The beautifully spacious and EXTREMELY clean store represents the imagery, look, feel and range of the Banana Republic brand. If it wasn’t for the Stuttafords group, this store would be something us mere South Africans could only dream about – or simply go online to check out. Whichever.

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Many celebrities attended the event including Rolene Strauss, Ross Jack, Simba Mhere and Maps Maponyane but because this was a Banana Republic affair I decided to focus on those celebs who were dressed in Banana Republic from head to toe. Here, Isidingo star Michaella Russell and singer Leanne Dlamini were styled by fashion bloggers Ththi Nteta and Neil Doveton in the Banana Republic California Collection. This collection holds an effortless blend of laid back comfort and easy chic and is grounded in fresh, Sonoran desert neutrals. The palette for the collection ranges from soft white to cantaloupe and cognac accessories, with rich textures and design woven throughout.

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 Top Billing Presenter, Jonathan Boynton-Lee, shows this blend of comfort and chic in the Banana Republic’s iconic fashion piece – the chinos. I absolutely love the neutral colours on him  and before our eyes start wondering over his sexy body – we are brought back to reality by those statement shoes. Thank goodness for the shoes! 

_MG_2407The Binnelanders actress, Amalia Uys, displays where function and style meet in the California Collection. Here, she is wearing the must-have chic Sloan pants with a pattern and depending on her top, these pants are able to take her from day to night. I love the monochromatic trend and Amalia, with her gorgeous red bangs, makes this look so classy.


The new flagship store in Sandton City will showcase new and additional season trends, and concepts – the first store in Gauteng to offer the full Banana Republic shopping experience under one roof. The new store will offer modern apparel, footwear, and accessories including handbags, scarves and belts. 

As previously stated the Spring 2014 campaign portrays true relationships, true style, and true emotions, illustrating life’s most precious and authentic moments shared between loved ones. Watch the Spring 2014 campaign advertisement, as you can see, real-life couples and families wearing their favourite brand.


Here’s what the Elite TV girls wore to the event;
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Social butterfly, Candy Harris, wore a loosely knitted jersey in peach from Witchery, plain black TOPSHOP leggings and matched that with some Steve Madden nude heels to complete the look. The stunning, Sheena D, wore an olive green, sweetheart shaped cocktail dress from YDE and added a black heel from Sissy Boy. I wore a sexy, yet sophisticated V Mesh peplum top from YDE and added some street style in the form of my TOPSHOP leather leggings. To add some flavor to my monochromatic look I wore TOPSHOP beige ankle boots.


 

 Keep it Fashion Fab.

LJ 

Want to know more about Lauren Jenae? Check out her website here.

Follow LJ on twitter @laurenjenaevk and instagram @laurenjenaevk


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Fur Free is the new Black.

 

Image source: visioncollective.co.za/Pierre Blignaut/Lourens ReynekeFinally, the time has come for South Africa to use fashion as a platform to unite against animal cruelty. As international fashion designer Gert-Johan Coetzee puts it

 “This is Fashion Activism on the catwalk”.

  I, for one, am a HUGE animal lover and was quite oblivious to what goes into making the clothes that you find in some of your favourite stores.

That stunning floor-length fur coat originated on the back of a cute little mink that was born and raised in a small dirty cage and who was subjected to violent and inhumane treatment for most of it’s life. Then if that isn’t bad enough it was either clubbed, strangled or electrocuted to death and then finally, skinned. Not so stunning anymore, huh?

So, Fur Free SA decided, along with celebrity and designer animal lovers, to create a Fur Free Fashion Show . The Task: To make a fabulous outfit free from fur or any animal product. The Outcome: Well, just take a look at these…  AHP (119 of 221)

The fantastic Elana Afrika is wearing this one-of-a-kind  organza party skirt designed by the talented Malcolm Kluk from KLuk CGDT. Fashion is about using material on the outside to portray what is on the inside and this skirt does exactly that. Elana‘s bubbly personality can be seen in the amalgamation of bright colours and in the extravagant flower detail around her waist. 
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Now for the men, Wonderboom front man Cito Otto struts his sexy stuff in a look designed by Augustine Bespoke Apparel. These designers really know how to make any man look and feel irresistible. Dungarees are a huge trend this season and the designers of Augustine have incorporated this trend into this tailor-made suit. The magic here, is in the innovative detail of this suit; slanted zip, sophisticated collar and cuffs and finally, a smart match of rich black tailored pants and grey checkered  shirt. Absolutely love it!  AHP (123 of 221)

Here, SA’s top jewelry designer, Jenna Clifford, is draped in Gert-Johan Coetzee awesomeness! Gert-Johan really sticking to the anti fur campaign by showing how a feather boa can look as dazzling – if not, even more so – without the use of feathers. This dress has a certain Egyptian feel to it and simply cannot be complete without that cute poodle accessory. 


Here’s what I wore to the Fur Free Fashion Show 10416956_10152437277000631_1651048032_n

A cute  round-neck lace mini dress from Topshop and to make a fashion statement I decided to wear my Forever New open-toe heels with Topshop grey ankle socks – Huge trend this season.

As someone whom is obsessed with fashion and following trends, I walked away from the Fur Free Fashion show a little wiser. Many, including myself, don’t understand that animal products and fur are used in the process of making some of our favourite clothes even if it can’t be seen.  The truth is, faux fur is often cat or dog fur dyed so my lesson is: Walk away from anything that looks  remotely similar to fur.  Be conscious and aware of the things you buy.  Speak for those who can’t. Choose Fab fashion that is fur free.


Photographs taken by Andrew Howes.

Keep it Fashion Fab.

LJ 

Want to know more about Lauren Jenae? Check out her website here.

Follow LJ on twitter @laurenvank and instagram @laurenjenaevk

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