Durban July! What to Wear?

No to that white dress – you wore that last year. No to that butt hugging, leg flashing cocktail dress – it’s going to be like -1000 degrees. Hell YES to being styled by FOREVER NEW!

If you are in the same boat as me and have no idea what to wear to the Vodacom Durban July this weekend, then fear not, because FOREVER NEW‘s got your back. Or has got something quite literally for your back!

FOREVER NEW is offering you the destination to find your perfect outfit – head to toe! And to make life a little easier here are some chic looks, modelled by the oh-so-beautiful, Melinda Bam. Now you may not be Miss SA material, but with these outfits, no eyes will be on the races. 

Embellished clutches can turn your outfit from evening to red carpet ready. Try this Evelyn Sparkle Clutch Bag to add a bit of glitz and glamour to a simple outfit.

This is my favourite look of them all. It might be a bit chilly, but hey, beauty is pain. This Shelby Organza Midi Skirt will turn heads and make you feel just like Melinda Bam.

As you have noticed headwear is a must for race days and you are bound to see many adorned clips and extravagant pieces but one thing I absolutely adore is this Taya Two Tone Felt Hat (R549). Not only is it a winter trend but it will keep your head warm too. Match this floppy hat with the Thalia Embellished Coat (R2999) and some Kimberly Spliced Leather Gloves (R449). Trust, black on black will always be in. 

This race season FOREVER NEW has everything that you would need to ensure your best is on show at The Captains Table. 

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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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What will u b wearing to the @VodacomDbnJuly? @ForeverNew_SA styles the beautiful @melindabam This look is my fav! pic.twitter.com/KCuFCFmrIs

— Lauren Jenae (@LaurenJenae) July 1, 2015

Win 14 GUESS Dresses in 14 Days

It’s every girls dream to become one of those gorgeous GUESS models, right? Well, now you can – kinda. You get to look like a GUESS model by winning 1 of 14 GUESS dresses in the next 14 days starting from November the 17th. That’s this Monday! 

GUESS has decided to partner with South Africa’s favourite women’s magazine, Cosmopolitan, and is making November the month of the dress. One person will win a GUESS summer dress daily, with the final winner receiving the 14th GUESS dress and a R2000 GUESS voucher. Ka-Ching!

Each day is giving away a different dress ranging from mini to maxi-dresses, in a wide range of designs and finishes. Because the summer holidays are nearly here I’ve decided to show you the 14 dresses you could win matched with your perfect holiday destination:

This white Embroidered Lace Dress is perfect for sipping cocktails while your toes squish through the white beach sand at the Grand Cafe in Granger Bay, Cape Town. Then party all night long in this Sheer Corset Dress at Cape Town’s premier beach club – Shimmy.

If you’re in the sunny St Francis Bay this year, wear the Leopard-print Tube Dress for those magical sunsets on those booze cruises. Then slip into your Moroccan Tube Dress for a night of fun, good company and even better music at Billy’s Beach Bar.

Keeping it classy and staying in Jozi this December? This Studded White Dress will turn heads at The Neighbourgoods Market in Braamfontein. Then go from chilled to sexy in this Betzabeth Dress as you party until sunrise at Taboo in Sandton. This little number is my personal fav!

Playing in Plett this holiday? Hit Vegas In Plett with full-force on New Years Eve in this monochrome Body-con Dress and then recover from your hangover and celebrate the new year to come by chilling on the Lookout Deck in this casual Belted Tube Dress.

Sun City. The Palace of the Lost City. You better be wearing this Open Back Dress when you’re strutting your stuff along the poolside. Head to the palace bar in this Beaded Cocktail Dress and you’ll be treated like royalty.

Keen to get down in Durban? Spend the day window shopping for clothes and surfer boys at the Gateway Wavehouse in this stunning Black Body-con Dress. Then make your way to Joe Cools in this Pink Sheer Corset Dress. When you look and feel this good – no one can slow you down.   

Kenton on Sea is the place to be this December. Wear this Ashcroft Dress to your New Years Eve dinner party with friends and if things start to get messy, slip on your Snake Print Tulip Dress and head on down to Winkies on the beach. 

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The 14 GUESS dress styles will be clearly marked in all GUESS stores with a MUST-HAVE COSMO tag for all those who didn’t win the dress of their dreams and from 17th to the 30th of November, these tagged summer must-have dresses will be available at 25% off at all GUESS stores. Hell Yeah!

To win your favourite dress submit your entry here: http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za/uncategorized/win-14-guess-dresses-in-14-days/

There’s a GUESS dress for every occasion!

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A lil birdie told me that @GUESS and @CosmopolitanSA are giving away 14 dresses in 14 days? Holding thumbs for day 6💃 pic.twitter.com/4UvC7vXX5q

— Lauren Jenae (@LaurenJenae) November 13, 2014

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

And the New Face of TOPSHOP is…

The talk of the fashion world is the introduction of TOPSHOP‘s new Autumn/Winter 2014 campaign girl. Drum roll please. Introducing the iconic British supermodel, Cara Delevingne. At the mere age of 21, Cara has modeled for the likes of Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana and Burberry just to name a few – and now campaign girl for TOPSHOP! So casual. When you think of TOPSHOP you think trendy, you think cutting edge – this is exactly what the controversial model brings to the catwalk.

TOPSHOP is renowned for staying ahead of trends every season. It exemplifies affordable style, while its brave and irreverent approach has captivated the fashion-conscious shopper the world over.  Previous TOPSHOP campaigns have featured Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Lily Donaldson, Rosie Tapner and Eliza Cummings but this Autumn/Winter campaign holds a slight difference. It is the first time a TOPSHOP campaign will feature a single girl as Cara, single-handedly, dominates each image.

 The Autumn/Winter 2014 collection speaks to the diverse and experimental style of a TOPSHOP girl as hero pieces with go-anywhere appeal take centre stage. The biker jacket, the Jamie jean, the Martha parka, Cara effortlessly personifies London style and brings it straight to South African shores.  

Evening wear is re-worked as modern fabrications and astute tailoring play with the concepts of smart/casual dressing and urban sophistication; the statement sequin and feather cocktail dress worn by Cara epitomizes this look.

According to TOPSHOP’s creative director, Kate Phelan;

“Cara is a true TOPSHOP girl. Her style is confident and playful and she can be sophisticated and chic as easily as she can be cool and casual. Putting her spin on everything she makes the TOPSHOP collection her own. Her uninhibited natural energy is intoxicating, she is free spirited and fun.”

Keep a look out for the new collection as it launches in TOPSHOP SA stores from September 2014. In the meantime, check out the behind-the-scenes of the TOPSHOP shoot produced by Leigh Johnson.

The campaign images were shot in London by renowned photographer Alasdair McLellan and styled by TOPSHOP Creative Director Kate Phelan.

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Cara’s personality is contagious – from modeling with elegance to pulling the ugliest faces – she makes the stereotypical “dumb model” a myth. Watch her famed ‘Harlem Shake’ video which took place backstage at TOPSHOP UNIQUE AW13.

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 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

Looney for these Bikini’s:)

These custom made bikini’s will make any girl look beach body ready – even in winter. Liquid Luna  is designed by model Shayna Daniel  and is an exclusive brand made to your personal colour, design and style. Just think, what is worse than wearing a bikini that offers no support, doesn’t fit snugly and sags at the bottom -I’ll tell you what, seeing another person on the same beach wearing that exact same sagging bikini! CRINGE! Now open your eyes, relax and look at what Liquid Luna has to offer.

I know it’s almost winter but surely if you wear bikini’s like this, the sun will just have to come out? What I love most about the Liquid Luna range is that they are not like the bikini’s you can buy in the shops. Every bikini has a hidden secret – some are reversible, some can be worn in different ways and some can even hide those wobbly bits.

This is my personal fav! My order is already in. Here Shayna is wearing a vintage 1960’s high-waisted bottom but adds some animal print to make it modern and sexy. The bow tube/strapless bikini is also quite vintage but I love the fact that Shayna has added that little pop of colour that’s needed. Leopard and pink, how could you possibly go wrong?

Here, stunning Kylie models the San Antonio bikini. This bikini is designed for all shapes and sizes but it is most effective when worn by ladies with a long torso. Last season, summer time saw a lot of bright colours coming in, however the bikini trend now is lace and as seen in the San Antonio, pastel colours!

I love the individuality that Liquid Luna conveys. Here, we see Shayna in a mesh V-neck full costume supported by a halterneck – in white! Remember girls wearing white always makes you look browner than what you actually are, unless you have a fair skin tone. If that’s the case, that tip will definitely not work for you, soz.

I feel that when you experiment with the Liquid Luna range, you get a chance to show off a bit of your personality whilst lounging around the pool or taking a dip in the ocean.

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I caught up with Shayna and some of the models at the Sands, watching in absolute awe, as these bikini babes strutted around in the new Liquid Luna range. Here’s what I wore to the event.

I’m wearing a Knit Maxi skirt featuring a full length M-slit front from Forever 21  and because I am addicted to Forever 21 I’m also wearing their velveteen crop top  featuring an allover leopard print with a scoop neckline and back. If you want these items, I’ve made it real easy for you. Just click on them and it’ll take you straight to them.

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Catch Hashtag7 every Friday 5:30pm with repeats on Saturday and Sunday 1:30pm and 8:30pm on Channel 405.

Follow Liquid Luna on Twitter & Instagram @LiquidLuna_SA and get in contact with them to ensure that you have the perfect bikini for when Summer arrives.

Photographs taken by Darrel Camden-Smith.

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

#GSS Stay Gold

The Event: The Gold Street Society Launch. The Place: VIP Room Sandton. The Guest-list: UNBELIEVABLE!

Gold Street Society? Never heard of it? Well, if you think you know anything about fashion – this is a brand you never want to forget. Sure, it launched on April the 5th, but  just because it’s new doesn’t  mean its not ready to break the barriers of fashion.

Yianni Crease, the designer, is the tender age of 19 years but this is what makes his brand different from the rest. He is making clothes that his age group want. He knows his target market intricately and provides for them. He is young and edgy and this is depicted in his designs.  Here Yianni takes pictures on the red carpet with his Boss Models wearing Gold Street Soceity.

GSS is known as a lifestyle brand, as it incorporates urban and independent luxury street fashion. The focus is interesting necklines and cuts for men while tight leather fitting clothes for woman.  C’mon fashion lovers, join the movement, oh and stay gold.

Who better to talk fashion with than the SA fashion guru himself, my favourite, Maps Maponyane! Here the two share two similarities – both are fashion designers and models. Maps looking steamy in his Augustine attire. How does a man make a polar-neck look so good? Definitely a look that has to come in this fall. 

Other celebs included the ever-so-edgy Tamara Dey. Dressed head to toe in Topshop. Her chunky gold chain keeping it in line with the theme of the event #GSSStayGOLD. I normally do like leather on leather but I feel in this instance the leather is all a bit too much! Anyhoo, it’s Tamara Dey – she can get away with it.

Singer and songwriter, Chad Saaiman made an appearance looking as handsome as ever. The brown belt with denim-looking jacket gives his look a western/country feel, doesn’t it? Or is it just me? My favourite piece of his though, are his little gorilla pendants on his collar. Adds a touch of his quirky personality – absolutely love it!

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So Gold Street Society – I just had to go with the theme, here’s what I wore.

A low open back gold sequined mini dress from Young Designers Emporium. To keep it simple and not distract from the dress I kept my hair straight and simple and wore a simplistic black peeped-toe heel from Zoom. So the dress is all glam, my hair and shoes very simple – I just had to add some edge! So I decided to wear my favourite ear cuff from Forever 21.

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Rumour has it that Gold Street Society and Augustine have collaborated and their launch will be held on the 26th of June at Elevate. Look forward to seeing this awesome colab hit our fashion streets. Will see you fashionistas there.

Keep it Fashion Fab – and stay Gold.

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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Video by Mark Paul Media, visit his website to check out cool interviews with Tamara Dey and Chad Saaiman.