Brandhunter Launch

Last week I was invited to attend the soft launch of an exciting new members-only flash-sale site, Brandhunter.
Now as I grew up in the 90s where the teen movie genre was immortalised and the majority of my book collection  consisted of The Babysitter's Club all I wanted to do was be a member of a cool club. And here was my chance! And even better I didn't have to worry about annoying kids to be part of a club :)

Along with one of my fab friends, we headed to 15 on Orange (swanky hotel) to learn more about the site and its products. On arrival, we were able to register and join the site. Brandhunter will only be taking 5000 members so if you're keen to join, sign up now. After December, there'll be a waitlist to get on. And there are no opportunities to flirt with a bouncer for admission. Not that I've ever done that...

How awesome are these key flashdrives.

Unlike other flash sites (still a new concept in South Africa but cray cray around the world) Brandhunter sells a range of premium brands including fashion, gadgets, accessories and electronics at discounted prices. Emphasis on premium. At the launch we spotted massive discounts on Lipsy, Hussein Chalayan for Puma, Paul's Boutique and Big Blue Furniture.

 

The peeps behind Brandhunter are Eugen Petersen  and Caroline Nixon, both of these guys have massive retail, online and marketing experience and can count Edcon, Zando and MIH/Kalahari.com as former employees. Eugen talked us through the beta version of the site so we knew what we could expect.

 

Like the majority of flash sites, the designer sales will only last a couple of days. Delivery will be a door-to-door courier service at a flat rate of 35 ronds. If you signup now and want to treat yo self, you can find sales from PUMA, Dell, Paul's Boutique bags and After Eden. And you can look forward to more Lipsy, The Lisa King Collection (footwear and bags), Samsung, Polo and Ferrari just to mention a few delectable brand names.

 

With Sam and FashionJazz

So what are you waiting for? Go on and signup!

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!

Cotton On Super Store Launch

It doesn’t take a lot to make me smile, get me excited or scream and jump up and down. However it does take a little something special to get me to act like this:

That was me on Monday when I received an email to the launch of Cotton On’s new super store in Canal Walk. I think if you could measure the time between me reading and hastily cancelling all my other plans so I could attend would make Usain Bolt jelly.

I love Cotton On. I like that they have bright colours, the sales people always tell me I’m a Medium instead of a Large and they’re affordable. For some reasons I cannot fathom I seem to have a bad relationship with money. Obviously the amounts I spend on cupcakes, take-away coffees and glitter products are not to blame. So when something stylish and in my budget comes along I am very happy.

The only problem I used to have with Cotton On is that it seemed as if we never got the good stuff. If you looked online at the Aus store (where it’s originally from) you can see so much more fashion choices and departments. It was like we got a smidgen of what was on offer.

Well, like my willpower on a diet, that has all ended. The new store is huge for a start so it can start housing all the other departments. Instead of just the smaller pickings of ladies and menswear, we are now able to shop activewear, body, swimwear and kids. And there’s even a mini Typo gifting station. They’re from the same company so score!

There are so many options that it was hard when I was walking around. I got distracted by the lace, the glitter sweaters, the retro-style swimsuits, the colourful skinnies and the cutest pairs of knickers. 

Sue getting tres excited about the swimwear.

From what I saw nothing seemed priced over R500 which was music to my ears. In fact I heard Money Money Money ringing consistently I almost expected Donald Trump to pop out.

 

And even though they’re so well-priced there are some opportunities to save more. I noticed quite a few 2 for R250 or 2 for R400 deals around the store. In fact I managed to pick up two adorable skater skirts and got a lovely surprise when I got to the till. 

Another great thing about the store is the staff. I realise it was their first day and they were out to make an impression but they were on top form. They were helpful, attentive and promised to make every shopping experience like this one. So if you’re at Canal Walk next time and wonder why the store’s closed and I’m munching away on a plate of canapés, it’s because I’m getting the ultimate shopping experience.

Love this colourful display in the kid's department.

I must give massive props to Atmosphere Communications for the invite and the awesome morning. Make sure you get on down to the new store, it’s bitching!

For those that need the proper deets about the launch:

*Cotton On has over 1000 stores and over 150 000 employees worldwide.

*They original started 21 years ago in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

*Their target customer is 22 years old.

*South Africa currently has 17 Cotton On stores with plans to open another 12 by the end of the year.  

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!

Brand ID Lingerie Launch

Yesterday I attended the Brand Identity Media launch. Brand ID is the company responsible for bringing After Eden, Maidenform and Elle Macpherson Intimates to SA. So I think we owe them a lot ;)

I got to mingle with some fabulous other bloggers and writers including Rebecca from All4Women, FashionJazz, SA Fashion Girl, Kathryn from Becoming You and Leozette Roode.

 

We were talked through the ranges from the companies and got to learn a lot about which styles, brands and even colours work for the SA market. The new ranges are all very fabulous and it's nice to know that's a style that will suit everyone's budget. When I meet Future Boyfriend and we have money I will be parading around in Elle Macpherson (I'll also have a slammin' body by that time - hence the parading in my knickers). For now I can buy After Eden and still look as seksi.

Here are some of the highlights:

Love this bra from EMI, especially the little frill detailing.

This is an example of my fave type of underwear. Sadly not an example of my fave price point. Luckily After Eden do a similar one. See below.

Almost the same as the Elle Macpherson one but cheaper :)

How cute are these little cut-outs. I want!

Thanks to everyone involved in the launch for the invite and especially for the fabulous gift below. Cannot wait to wear my new knickers!

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!

Lay It On Me

Every now and again there is a call to get out of bed way earlier than expected, look decent and go somewhere. As someone who values their sleep I normally ignore this call and only stumble out of bed a few minutes before work starts looking like one of the witches in Stardust before the youth elixir takes effect.

Last week however there was a call to stop hitting the snooze button and get my gladrags on. I was invited to the Layer’d event by Press Room.

Layer’d is a fabulous boutique store in Green Point that showcases international fashion. Now normally you’d expect a shop like this to be similar to the one in Pretty Woman. You know, great clothes but scary Dementor-like saleswomen who make you feel like you don’t deserve to be in the store. 

Layer’d is nothing like this. The entire shopping experience is warm and welcoming from the simplistic yet stylish interior to the friendly staff to the flattering mirrors; you feel like you’re going over to a bestie’s house to borrow her clothes instead of being scrutinized by a part-time matriculant shop assistant who cannot abide happiness.

 

And I’ve not even mentioned the clothes! The biggest draw for me was Sea Folly aka the church of swimwear. Look at the full wall below. I was in swimming costume heaven. So many colours and styles, it was hard not to get a bit klepto and try and shove some into my bag. Other fabulous brands include Boo Radley (which boasts miracle jeans that can make you look a size smaller – please sign me up!), Metalicus – great for flattering wardrobe basics, Capital M and Hammock & Vine.

 

Two labels which are exclusive to Layer’d are Wish and Sambag. Wish has some ah-mazing dresses which I was dying to try on but my credit card was like “You still have groceries to buy. You’ll look good but have no food”. Sambag another Australian label that focuses on among other things stylish, contempory handbags and shoes. You see that tan bag up there, that’s holding a place on my Christmas List.

If you find yourself in Greenpoint, make sure you pop into Layer’d, it’s right next to the Vida in Somerset Road. So get yourself a latte and browse. You won’t leave empty-handed. If you’re in the ‘burbs, they’ve also opened a store in Cavendish. And if you can’t get to any of those, there’s whisperings of an online store opening soon. 

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!

The September Issue

Last month, on a rather dreary Monday I got a call that made me squeal and jump up and down. It was from Luisa at Marie Claire wanting to know if I’d be keen to take part, alongside other bloggers, in a fashion spread/challenge. It was about taking some of the more “out there” fashion looks and putting them on real people in real-life situations.

And of course my reply was like "Um, sure let me just check my diary, I think I'm shooting with Demarchelier that week." 

Obviously I was game. And this time I decided to cherish every little detail. If you’ve read the blog for more than a year, you’ll know I was already lucky enough to be featured in a bloggers fashion shoot for O Magazine.That was definitely one of my life's highlights. But I was so excited to spend the day surrounded by fabulous people (especially Robyn Cooke) and in the presence of Jimmy Choo shoes that I didn't really take photos. This time was different.

With a fully charged camera I arrived at the MC offices and immediately was beautified by Sylvie Hurford and Huey Tilley. I was going to be recreating this Marie Claire editorial:

So, cue the clown make-up. And clothes. And when the clothes are not Prada (which they were in the original shoot) have the tendency to make you look like a Bag Lady or at least an Olsen twin.

 

Nevertheless I was still having the time of my life. First up I got to watch the crew in action while shooting Leilah360 in this insane onesie do her thing.

 

Then it was my turn. We were going to redo the look at a bus stop. It may not look like it but it was freezing that day which is why I'm rocking this look with my jeans on. And we all thought the fashion world was glam!

 

 

After a couple of shots sitting down I got to do my thing and let my amateur schmodel shine. All those years doing the Vogue routine in my bedroom finally paid off.

Now the issue has finally landed. And it's the coveted September issue which makes this fashion nerd go cray cray happy.

Yes, in case you're wondering, they did use me for the cover as well.

And here is me! I have to say I really happy with the final picture they used and for making me sound awesome in the magazine. On the whole, the entire shoot is amazing and MC are clearly boss at what they do.

As you can tell, this is a very natural pose for me.

If you want to check out the full spread, it's available in shops now.

Major thanks and love to everyone who was part of the shoot especially Sam from MC who took all the behind-the-scenes pictures and interviewed me. Also check out her blog, she is awesome.

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!