Scotch & Soda debuted their New York Fashion Week Fall Winter collection “Wondrous Wanderers”. The collection presentation weaves together four character narratives in one story and promises a teasing immersion to the Amsterdam fashion label and its bond with the world. Marlou van Engelen, Scotch & Soda’s Creative Director says, “We have a long standing love affair with the world. This stems from being Dutch. We are a country of explorers that travel the globe. Yet, we always come back. When we do, we are laden with treasure and inspiration. From that, we innovate something entirely new, and entirely us".

Scotch & Soda lives and dreams this world-wanderer spirit daily”. The presentation, ‘Wondrous Wanderers’, tells the story of four everyday legends, who through different ages and places, are bound by the natural inspiration they pose. The story takes place in all corners of the world – from Tibet, to the Scottish Highlands, and from The Silk Route in China to a tiny village, called Floen, in Norway. The individual colour-scapes and textures of each of these places abundant in the individual collections. All collection stories remix the native colours, silhouettes, textures, pattern and finishes of the explored regions in to something wholly new.

With the first character narrative ‘The Soulful Soul’, the Nordic look is turned inside-out with denim work wear and city sportswear getting icy clean lines, bold Scandi-graphics and detailed finishes in neoprene, rubber and mountaineering fastenings. A limited edition, hand-made poncho produced from hand-picked fabrics for both Men and Women, leads the blankets and heavy-knits styling for the second character ‘The Rooted Roamers’. The third daily legend, ‘The Uncrowned Queen’ is draped in rich new clubhouse hues, silken pyjamas and day-to-night silhouettes. For the last tale, ‘The Silent Fighter’, oriental patterns and inspirations are heavily layered; chinoiserie, jacquard, heavy sequin patterning, and kimono prints clash and combine for a wistful, yet opulent look, and in a dazzling party palette that steers clear of black.

The four tales and characters all reflect the brand’s ‘Amsterdam Couture’ take on the world. Marlou van Engelen says, ‘Amsterdam and Couture aren’t words that sit easily next to each other. There’s an irreverent contrast in this slogan, and that’s very leading for how we create; we put the world in our clothes, yet we don’t take ourselves too seriously, that’s what Amsterdam couture is all about. We wander and wonder with an Amsterdam frame of mind’.

This eclectic take on the world, is represented in a presentation that binds film with a live stage and music arrangement for the brand’s FW16 narrative. Live music will be directed and featuring a performance by the Dutch musician Joep Beving and his accompanists. Vocalists include Maxime Barlag, the lead singer of the band Mister & Mississippi and Bart van Dalen, singer with Postcard from Mars.

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Scotch & Soda | Lifestyle | Brands

Dickies introduces a collection of modernized classics that embody both form and function as fashion: C O N S T R U C T.

Workwear remastered, the limited edition Construct collection has been crafted with the Dickies standard of excellence to produce an image of modern style. Dickies believes that commitment to greatness is what makes us individual; that passion is our work and that great work deserves great style.

These beliefs are the driving force behind Construct – because how a man defines himself is ultimately who he becomes. The Dickies Construct collection is exclusively available for purchase at Dip ST. in Johannesburg and A Store in Cape Town.

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Dickies South Africa

In 1997, Jeff Staple walked into the Triple Five Soul boutique in New York City and received his first order of 12 silkscreened t-shirts – and Staple was officially open for business. What started as a small t-shirt line handmade by Jeff, who was then a student at Parsons School of Design, grew organically and began to gain visibility in the city. In the process of building this burgeoning brand, Nike hired him in 2005 to create a special sneaker to represent New York.

The Staple Pigeon icon was conceived and was branded on the heels of a limited (and now most coveted) 150 pairs of the popular Dunk Pro SB, leading to much fanfare upon its release and exposing sneaker culture, and Staple, to the masses. The Staple Pigeon is now a world renowned symbol which reflects the gritty and reckless energy New Yorkers (and all urban dwellers) possess. It not only exists as a representation of New York but is also the influence behind Staple’s extensive apparel range and collaborative products distributed in the top retailers across the globe. Inspired by street culture and design, Staple’s reach encompasses many different landscapes such as music, art, and fashion.

15+ years later, Staple continues to be a positive social contagion.

Staple Design Studio is a creative consulting firm that has worked with some of the most prestigious brands in the world including Nike, Microsoft, Sony, Lotus, Timberland, New Balance, LVMH and others. Staple Design Studio operates in NYC and has been in business since 1997.

Staple Design also owns and operates Reed Space in the Lower East Side of NYC. Reed Space is often regarded as one of the world’s best and most innovative boutiques. It also features an art gallery, which has hosted some of our generation’s most celebrated artists.

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Reed Space | Future brands | Culture 

The first FENTY PUMA by Rihanna collection was shown at NYWF this past February. The show was fuelled by environmental elements and a mood-inducing energy. Frostbitten models walked the runway with a bold chill. Much like Rihanna, this collection is nothing short of unexpected, with a full collection of footwear, apparel and accessories for both men and women.

“This collection is not only a representation of who I am and how I dress, but also pushes the boundaries of what I wanted to create with PUMA” said PUMA Brand Ambassador and Women’s Creative Director Rihanna, “I wanted to take PUMA to a new place with something unpredictable and unexpected. It's Japanese street culture with a haunting twist. I played with texture and silhouettes and all of the fabrics are luxurious. I reinterpreted the traditional in my way. I'm looking forward to sharing the collection with the fashion community and fans.”

The futuristic FENTY trainer hits PUMA SELECT in Cape Town, Bree Street and Johannesburg, Braamfontein, as well as X–Trend. Rihanna’s anticipated Fur Slid will launch in April and the infamous PUMA CREEPER returns in May with updated colour ways.

Rihanna drew inspiration from today’s Japanese street culture and tradition for this first full season collection since partnering with PUMA in December 2014. Mixing that cultural influence with gothic overtones and exaggerated volumes and proportions, the fashion icon challenged the traditional male and female silhouettes and blurred the lines between genders that are often times too rigid for her fashion tastes. Rihanna introduced styles such as a ground-sweeping Kimono Robe, Tear Away Tricot Track Suits, an attitude punched Lace-Up Jersey Corset, dresses and bodysuits. In her first collection, she played with shapes creating exaggerated long sleeve tops and jackets and voluminous hoodies and crew necks. Many apparel silhouettes play with laces, running up and down the pieces for an added edge. Outerwear styles, like the Velvet Bomber Jacket, serve both the fashion hungry and the function-needy. Each piece embodies a sexiness with a tough-as-nails attitude.

A PUMA collection is never complete without footwear. As a follow up to her beloved PUMA Creeper launch, the AW16 collection ranges from show-stomping boots to sporty heels to training sneakers. An exaggerated over-the-knee Eskiva boot laced up on some of fashion’s top models turned heads on the runway.

The PUMA by Rihanna Accessories range features an over-the-top Bomber Jacket Bag, the Fur Waistbag fit with two pockets for you and your boo and fashionable durags, caps and headwear, chokers and veiled sweatband all to perfect the look.

Keep a look out for our local PUMA ambassador, Nomzamo Mbatha looking next-level fresh and stylish on the night.

The AW16 PUMA by RIHANNA collection, under her FENTY label, includes a mix of fashion and lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories and will be available at retail stores beginning September. For more information, visit puma.com, rihannanow.com or join the conversation on Twitter by tweeting @PUMASouthAfrica.

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Puma South Africa | Trend | Culture

Allison Stevens explains that modesty in dress sends a message of purity and honor. It puts an emphasis on and values the inner person over outward attractiveness. 

It says that a person is worth far more than what meets the eye. There is a depth of character that rises above beauty or charm. When we dress modestly, we are saying that we posses inner qualities for which we should gain appropriate attention and value from others.

Look no further because Tshepo The jean Maker has essentials that can assure you some elegance, T-shirts for R250 available in colors white, navy, gray and Black.

The indigo Presidential jeans go for R650 a pair.

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Brands | Lifestyle

One of Vancouver’s newest clothing lines is making an appearance at a pop-up shop in Chinatown on September 6 and 7. Minsct (pronounced min-st) is a performance adventure wear brand and cultural medium with a sustainable conscience. Based out of Vancouver, B.C., its existence originates from the unstoppable human desire to create, absorb and share progressive ideas.

We sat down with Minsct founder Justin Pelletier to find out more about this creative brand.

How did you get started in the fashion industry?

My start in fashion simply began as a consumer. As a young kid, I was always into street wear and unique clothing. In my third year of university, I hit a roadblock in my life. I knew my psychology degree wouldn’t get me anywhere so I decided to take control of my life. I realized that being a street wear consumer all my life unconsciously sculpted me into someone who knew what looks good and what it takes to make a good brand. That’s really where it all started.

What was the idea behind the Minsct brand?

The idea behind Minsct came from the concept of creating a clothing line that would feel like a quality meat shop. This idea has really been the backbone of the whole brand, hence the slogan “finely chopped threads.”

How has reception for the line been?

So far the reception of the line has been great. Currently, we have a solid following in Kelowna and a growing following in Vancouver. We feel that our customers appreciate the exclusivity of our clothing. Our philosophy is that we never restock pieces. Like a great cut of meat, once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.

Where do you draw inspiration from?



Inspiration for the line comes from many facets. I am a strong believer that creativity can be draw from almost anything in life. Recently, inspiration for the line has come from West Coast nature aesthetic, surfing, the ocean and industrial design techniques.

Who is the ideal fit for Minsct?

The target for Minsct demographic is the young ambitious individual looking for simplistic, yet stylish, garments with a message behind it. We encourage our customers to achieve their dreams. After all, THE VISIONARY IS YOU.

Minsct will be selling a variety of limited edition lifestyle products including hats, t-shirts, duffel bags and tank tops. In addition, DJ Liar’s Radio will be spinning beats and selling rare vinyls, artist Adam Hoens will be selling paintings and Tristan Rogers will be selling custom made jewelry.


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Culture | Trends