Capetown Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013: [Day 4] – David Tlale

Written by romola 299 days ago. Posted in +Men, Blog, Fashion Shows, Features.

With David Tlale comes showmanship, his S/S 2013 show took to the streets of Bo-Kaap with models storming the runway with hair rollers covered with head scarves, seemingly exuding semblance to housewives/ stay-home-moms in the 50s . Hair rollers and headscarves aside, with each emerging female model came the white eyebrows and omber dyed tights to match the hair rollers. Oh! Did we mention the entire collection featured whites? the only pop of colors came from makeup, shoes, tights and hair rollers.

Inspired by being a colored person, the designer approached each piece in this collection with subtlety,(we say that in relation to Tlale’s usual avant garde meet couture pieces). Full skirted pieces with handkerchief hemlines, tiered full skirts as well as wrapped bits; the upper half of dresses focused more on ruching, intricate embroidery and such. There were pieces that focused on drapes, mini lengths, bandage lacing, peplum-ed waists, bell sleeves and floral work. Then came in separates; sports-inspired pants, bubble blouses, keyhole blouses, full skirts, Victorian-era inspired necklines and high necklines. It wouldn’t have felt complete without an infusion of maxis; Maxis – mermaid style maxis, maxi dresses that oozed couture influences as well as palazzo pants. The menswear collection appeared to have been influenced by Northern Africa with specific references to Tunisia and Morrocco , perhaps this was an ode to Muslims observing the holy month of Ramadan! With shawls wrapped around them, the male models sported what looks like a jalabiyya (a long dresslike garment) and middle-eastern inspired waist coats.

There was something immaculate about the collection, not his most dramatic but definitely told a story. Cohesive Collection!