Go shopping.

If, unlike me, you have money, go here and buy pretty things:

Thesis

Thesis Social Jam Session

This past Sunday I *finally* made it out to the Thesis Social Jam Session in Soweto. And. I had such an awesome time. Hot weather + Music + Pap ‘n Vleis vibes + Friends + Beer in a cosey (yes, beer in a cosey, dude!) … I mean, perfection, much?

Forget my chipped grey polish, check out the beer cosey!

I got there in the late afternoon, which gave me enough time to soak up the sun, chill with some cool people and check out some clothes.

Cute clothes at Thesis

After the sun set, 5th Floor and Ill Skillz performed. Despite some ‘technical difficulties’, they were dope.

Such a nice Sunday vibe, hey. My first time, but definitely not my last. Well done to the Thesis crew. [For more, check out the Thesis blog HERE and the website www.thesis.co.za] I’m a convert! Hallelujar!

Feminine Fall

So I’m delayed and have just discovered Polyvore, where you can basically play fashion editor to your heart’s desire. If I had me some cash money, this is how I would see in the cold months ahead. Go over to Polyvore and play!

My favourite 4 letter word: SALE

Some loot from the Woolies Quality Sale

My colleague Tina has a strict rule: She never buys her clothes where she can buy meat. Fortunately, I haven’t come down with The Crazy, so I hopped over to the Woolworths Quality Sale to get some cool stuff. I’m a major Woolies fan, but I love a bargain even more. I’m also somewhat of a savvy shopper, so I tried to get as many winter-friendly items as possible. I scored pretty, bright cardies (great over a sleek poloneck, shirt or long vest) and cute suede ankle boots. All under R500. #TeamWoolies.

‘I want to be … a woman’s best friend & secret weapon’

Designer Thula Sindi

Thula Sindi – designer extraordinaire – recently let African Fashion International into his mental-mind-space…

When designing a collection, my reference/point of departure is always
clothing itself. I design “clothes about clothes”, either tweaking them by manipulating darts and panels or experimenting with fabrics and details. For this season my focus was on colour how to use it in a way that was summery and light but still modern, sophisticated and wearable especially during the day.

My latest collection is a story about a glimpse of a woman who is slightly jaded by life but still manages to be optimistic at the same time. Her taste is impeccable and every inch of her groomed in an effortless way.

The most innovative thing about my last collection are the two charcoal grey cotton knit dresses. They are meticulously draped and hand tacked and took tens of hours to create and finalise, but it resulted in effortless and unexpected beauty. It was like turning matte grey into the proverbial gold.

I understand quality in fashion to be the search for excellence in standards through the entire value chain of the garment – from design/conceptualisation, fabrication, fit and garment assembly all the way to store display, customer service and wear/care.

The next steps that I will be taking to continue my development are to grow my business organically whilst searching for outlets that fit into my business structure and style. There is lots on the go at the moment.

South African fashion design is defined by very different points of view.

I collaborate with no one really. I still have so much to say that there is no need to collaborate so early in the game. People still need to get to know who THULA SINDI is. The closest I get to collaboration is with Mary Reynolds of Tramps productions. We work really closely when it comes to producing my shows and with Martin Myers who knows how to use music to convey the emotion to the audience. They really understand my point of view.

In a tough economic climate my customers think more closely about what they are buying.

The last time I laughed really hard it was because
I explained to my assistant Bonolo that a chicken’s head (a local delicacy in Klerksdorp) is called an AYAS. She looked so appalled that I even knew that. I realised we definitely from different generations.

I want to become known as a woman’s best friend and secret weapon, offering beautiful fashion solutions and bringing real value back to designer clothing.