PUMA: The Urban Mobility collection

Until now Puma has presented bikes as well as a limited edition of bags under the Urban Mobility theme. Now they have launched an entire dedicated website for the theme and present a very large collection of bags and accessories. The Urban Mobility collections is awesome! Designed to simplify and spruce up travel from city to city, using a blend of function and sophistication. Check out some of the collection.

The wood feature and prenium leather used on the bags, certainly makes them stand out as specail piceaces

This bag has been designed as a statement product in the Urban Mobility collection as well as being their key PR tool and door opener to the top end of the lifestyle market. It's targeted to a more fashion savvy consumer, creating a real buzz around the Urban Mobility collection and inspires other trendsetters to view the brand in a whole new light. Previously only exclusive at Selfridges, now available globally through select high-end furniture design stores and top end department stores.

It is a limited edition piece of which there is only be 600 bags. Each bag feature a silver metal plaque engraved and its own Ltd edition number.

Check out the entire collection on their newly launched website and for more in depth information related to Puma, browse Pumatalk.

(Photo Credits: Puma.com)

Espasso

Espasso is a gallery of Brazilian furniture designs with a blend of Brazil’s diverse culture influences and a respect for traditional style. Founded by Carlos Jungueira, he introduces these unique Brazilian designs to the world. Its sophistication derives from the country’s rich artistic and intellectual heritage, which is reflected in each piece selected for ESPASSO´s highly innovative collection.

Here’s a glimps of the gallery and some of the designs

(Photo Credits: Espasso)

An Oasis of Brazilian artistry!

Espassa has showrooms in Los Angeles and New York Visit Espasso to indulge more on those unique Brazilian designs

Elizabeth Fonseca & Gilberto Paim

Another creative Brazilian duo! The duo seek the balance and simplicity of the form using porcelain clay as the raw material for their creations. Each piece is unique with variation around a particular theme; every detail of the work is executed by them. The ornamental theme of the weave is inspired in textiles, basket making and writing, giving rise to relief and shade effects.

Great artistry, indulge!

(Photo Credit: Gilberto & Elizabeth)

Thier work is sold exclusively through Interni in Rio and São Paulo, and also forms part of the collection of the Espasso galleries in New York and Los Angeles. Visit Gilberto & Elizabeth for more

Etel

A self-taught Brazilian designer Etal Carmona began her work by researching and exploring her skills in antique furniture restoration. In 1988 Etel was conceived, manufacturing top-quality customized and one of a kind works of art by renowned Brazilian designers.

One of a kind indeed. Take a look!

(Photo Credits: Etel Interiores)

These artistic pieces can also be found at Espasso. Visit Etel Interiores for more.

C'est Couture at Paris Fashion Week '07

African Fashion International (AFI) and South African Tourism in association with Gavin Rajah, selected four talented young South African designers to show at Paris Fashion Week (Haute Couture), on the 5th of July 2007.

Rajah, having shown his collections at Paris twice to date, mentored the specially selected foursome who presented a collection at Paris Fashion week, alongside Gavin Rajah, as part of the C’est Couture project.


(Left to right.. Thabani Mavundla, Dr. Precious Moloi- Motsepe, Craig Jacobs, Linda Sangaret (SA Tourism in France), Nomasonto M Sibanda (SA Ambassador in France), Thula Sindi, Gavin Rajah, David Tlale)
(Photo credits: African Fashion International.com)

The foursome designers include Thabani Mavundla, Thula Sindi, Fundudzi, Craig Jacobs and David Tlale. Each have successfully showcased at major South African Weeks, alongside some of the more established designers to promote their varied designs. Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe played her role of patron for the designers, as this is part of her vision of contributing toward the development and growth of South African designers, particularly talent from the townships and rural areas. These four designers have been chosen for their originality, their preference to using elements indigenous to South Africa, and their commitment to empowerment and equality issues in South Africa. Watch a video of the show.

AFI's goal in this project is to give the emerging designers an opportunity to see and be part of and international fashion week. Besides showing the best of South African designs, they will also be on a learning expedition. We have arranged visits to retailers in Paris such as Galleries Lafayette and Collette in order for the designers to gain insight in what designers do on an international level. AFI will also be initiating a mentorship programme for local designers with international designers in addition to a local mentorship programme for up and coming young designers with established South African Designers such as Gavin Rajah.

For more visit African Fashion International

London Fashion Week’s New Generation Fashion Winners Announced

The British Fashion Council has announced the designers who will receive the "New Generation" sponsorship from British high street retail giant Topshop to showcase their Spring/Summer 2008 collections during the upcoming London Fashion Week, which runs September 2007.

The recipients of New Generantion Sponsorship are Christopher Kane, Danielle Scutt, Duro Olowu, Erdem, Gareth Pugh, Louis Goldin, Marios Schwab and Todd Lynn. Whilst the exhibition sponsorship recipient designers receiving exhibition sponsorship include Borba Margo, Danielle Scutt, Emilio de la Morena, Ginta, Louise Goldin, Marios Schwab and Todd Lynn. The New Generation scheme spans both the Exhibition at London Fashion Week and the British Fashion Council's official Catwalk Show Schedule. The support is given as cash sponsorship for a fashion show at London Fashion Week and/or a stand at the event's Exhibition.

Estanblished in 1993 to give support to the most promising new talent, the Spring/Summer '08 season marks Topshop's twelfth season as a sponsor. Topshop is the single biggest supporter of young fashion designers in the industry. Topshop continues to support previous winners through housing collections in the Boutique space at its flagship store in Oxford Circus.

London Fashion Week has long been recognized as a creative hotbed bursting with forward-thinking talent, and launched the careers of Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, Matthew Williamson, Julien Macdonald and Sophia Kokosalaki – all of whom have gone on to show in either Paris or New York under both their own labels and the labels of established fashion houses – Dior, Pucci, Vionnet to name a few.

NiZuri NewsWire will keep you updated!

For more information visit www.londonfashionweek.co.uk

Related article: Duro Olowu

MTN Durban Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2007

Now in its third year, has established itself as a vibrant international fashion platform for top South African designers, new and emerging design talents to showcase their collections.

This year top local designers like Gideon and Lindiwe Kuzwayo and couturiers from all over South Africa who have their roots in Durban, such as Gavin Rajah, Malcolm Kluk and Craig Native, together with an exciting line up of young and emerging designers showcased their innovative collections over four days on the beach at the Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World in Durban this June.

Lets view some of the stunning designs from the fashion week.

Lindiwe Kuzwayo
Internationally acclaimed Durban designer brought spring to life in her latest haute couture, displayed bright colours in soft chiffon with tiny flower details, bloomed on the catwalk. Take a look!

Gavin Rajah
Gavin Rajah’s latest collection combined a new range in red and black, included were a few outfits from his Paris Cruise Collection meant for the sexy female silhouette. Watch this!

Kluk CGdT
The design duo Malcolm Kluk and Christaan Gabriel du Toit –CGdT are the designers behind the label Klud CGdT presented a classic collection spunked up with metallic and monochrome palette. The big metallic belt worn by one of the models will be a big trend this year

Kwame Jazz
Up-and –coming designer Kwame Kuzwayo, makes use of leather and indigenous Masai fabrics, embellished with beads, egg shells, porcupine quills, feathers and twigs, to create a contemporary range with a unique African Flair. This haute couture range is one of the highlights at the fashion week!

Eastern Mosaic
The Eastern Mosaic Style Showcase provided a spectacular Southeast Asian dimension to Durban Fashion Week. Three leading designers from the Indian sub-continent, namely Tarun Tahiliani, Neeta Lulla and Vikram Phadnis put on a fashion display to rival Bollywood's best.

Ifa Lethu
The launch of the Ifa Lethu Heritage collection is a collaborative project by local designers, Karen Monk-Klijnstra, Bonga Bhengu and Gugu Mismang, with the aim of exciting local youths in a fashion line they will not only want to wear, but wear with pride in being South Africans.

Stunning Designs!

(Photo Credits: Courtesy of Simon Deiner: www.sdr.co.za)

Alongside the Durban Fashion week, was “The International Bank Vaults Jewellery Show 07”, with exquisite jewellery showcased. Take a look at the collections at the Fashion Week!

For more information, visit MTN Fashion Week

Related article: South Africn Fashion Week

The International Bank Vaults Jewelry Show 2007

The MNT Durban Fashion Week also hosted the Jewelry show. But of course, you need the jewelry to compliment that stunning outfit!

Durban local and current Miss SA, Megan Coleman, graced the catwalk during the International Bank Vaults Jewelry Show, which exhibited an eclectic collection of shiny and sparkly gems by local jewelry designers. Take a look!

The jewelry show exhibited jewelry designs of diverse and creative South African designs.

(Photo Credits: Courtesy of Simon Deiner: www.sdr.co.za)

For more information, visit MTN Fashion Week

More props goes to the emerging young designers who showcased their designs at the MTN Fashion week. They too exhibited high fashion, ones to watch out for. We'l be following their progress. In mean-time, take a look!

MTN Young Designers 2007

Proud of its reputation for supporting young and emerging design talents, Durban Fashion Week has once again provided South Africa's young designers with the opportunity to show what they’re really made of. Take a look at the promising future designer.

(Photo Credits: Curtsey of Simon Deiner: www.sdr.co.za)

Quite an mpressive internatinal fashion week! The MTN Durban Fasion week continues to contribute in exhibiting fashion trends, accesories and providing emerging designers, ones to look out for. NIZURI NewsWire will keep you up-dated with high class international fashion.

For more information, visit MTN Fashion Week

The Ultimate Swimwear Collection 2007

Whilst still on Durban South Africa, let’s check highlights of an amalgamation of designers showcasing the ultimate swimwear

(Photo Credits: Courtesy of Simon Deiner: www.sdr.co.za)

Well, thats all from Durban South Africa for now, NIZURI NewsWire will keep you updated!