{FASHION NEWS} | Anni King SS14/15

This week Anni King’s new collection of purses for Spring/Summer hits stores. If you aren’t familiar with the Anni King brand, let me give you a bit of a background. Anni King is a South African brand which was started by Joanna Chen. The name comes from her middle name (Anni) and her Dad’s name (King) and she founded Anni King so that she could provide women with beautiful leather bags that are made with quality materials and manufactured well. Johanna designs all the bags herself (lots of hard work and sleepless nights) and is also very involved in the manufacturing process so she can ensure you are getting the total best quality. It’s so refreshing to speak with someone who took an idea they believed in and worked hard to get it out there. I’ve seen how Joanna puts her absolute all into Anni King and it’s become a brand I really believe in too.

The SS14/15 collection is quietly breathtaking. There is no fluff and pointless embellishments, just lovely leather bags in beautiful shapes and soft and bright summer colours. The bags are appropriately named after flowers so they totally get you in the mood for the warmer months. You can choose from a “Hydrangea” tote in buttery yellow to match your florals or if your style leans more towards the grunge side of things then the black “Petunia” backpack is definitely up your alley. My favourite has got to be the “Sweet Pea” in pink because it looks like something off the set of Gossip Girl.

Prices start from ZAR2250 and you can find Anni King bags at the following locations

Johannesburg

Cloth & Label

Morningside Shopping Centre, Morningside

Urban Lifestyle

Hobart Grove Shopping Centre, Bryanston

Stolen Muse

Nicolway Shopping Centre, Bryanston

Cape Town

Purr Clothing

Lifestyle on Kloof, Gardens

Durban

For The Birds

Salt Rock, Durban

You can also order Anni King bags off their Facebook Page.

Email Joanna@anniking.com for more details

Visit anniking.com for more details and follow @AnniKING_

Which is your favourite?

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

SHOPPING NEWS | Thula Sindi Goes Online!

When it comes to local designers… actually all designers, Thula Sindi is up there with my favourites. His timeless designs are sophisticated, luxurious, elegant and simply beautiful. When pieces of clothing look like his do, you can see that someone’s love and soul has gone into creating them.

Thula originally hails from Klerksdorp and studied at LISOF after which he worked as head designer for a Dutch textile company with which he showed a collection at SA Fashion Week in 2005. In 2006 he showed his own range at SA Fashion Week and his since become a treasured and respected designer. He has won many accolades like the SA Tourism South African Designer of the Year in 2012 and has featured in many lists such as the Mail & Guardians top 200 young South Africans and the Forbes 30 Under 30: Africa’s Best Young Entrepreneurs in 2013. Thula also met designer Valentino who, after seeing his designs, invited him to his private atelier. He has dressed inspirational women such as Jena Dover and Terry Pheto and the Williams sisters are rumoured to have had a slight sibling squabble over a Thula Sindi skirt during one of their trips to South Africa.

Thulasindi.com launched recently and it gives your fingertips access to Thula’s beautiful designs. Delivery is free(within South Africa) and there are a number of secure payment methods. The price-range is quite reasonable too considering its designer. I have spent hours on the site already, just admiring the clothes. I currently have my eye on the silver baroque tulle skirt priced at ZAR2799. It is perfection!

I’m glad that pieces from local designers are becoming so accessible. It’s taking baby steps, but the local fashion industry is really growing and that makes my heart warm!

Until next time            

                                      

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

(Images from thulasindi.com)