New York Fashion Week has given us some inspiration to guide us in the direction of how we’ll be wearing our handbags this winter, with four key trends that made their mark.

The Statement Clutch

This winter we’ll be seeing LOTS of clutch bags as they make a massive come back. They key is: Boxy and Bright. Very colourful and very loud. Embellished and interesting. Wear your statement clutch with absolute confidence.

Matchy-Matchy: Urban Camouflage 

If you’re going for this look, you need to commit to it. Massively on-trend, this look is being worn by dedicated fashion lovers.

Fur

The ethical thing to do, is to wear faux. But ethical or not, fur was a big trend at this year’s NYFW.

Backpacks 

For both guys and girls, this practical bag will prove to be not only very handy, but also very trendy.

Whichever bag suits your style best, be sure to incorporate it into your collection this winter.

Lust and love are two emotions which have been aggressively exploited for years by brand owners to sell their products- and especially in the perfume industry. Although a sneaky ploy to play on our emotions, there is no denying how successful some of these campaigns have become- proving that love, or the idea of love, is irresistible to many of us.

Some of the most beautiful, romantic campaigns over the last few years include…

Ralph Lauren’s Romance
For its fragrance ‘Romance’, Ralph Lauren released a series of adverts showing a couple locked in intimate embraces. This beautiful, emotive image speaks a thousand words.

Ralph Lauren's Romance

DKNY the fragrance
In 1999, Donna Karan New York (DKNY) used real-life couple Esther Canadas and Mark Vanderloo to feature in adverts promoting its fragrance. The images, which show a rain-drenched Esther in a silver chain-link outfit, are reflective of the sense of excitement and anticipation we experienced leading up to the millennium.

Gucci’s Flora
Many in the industry claimed that the commercial for Gucci’s fragrance Flora was one of the best perfume advertisements ever. Australian model Abbey Lee wears a silk dress with floral print in the ad, which was shot by Chris Cunningham in a cornfield in Latvia. Abbey dances in the wind in a field of more than 40 000 silk flowers.

Gucci's Flora

Chanel N° 5
Chanel N° 5 has been an iconic woman’s fragrance for decades, with even Marilyn Monroe once famously claiming that she wore nothing to bed, bar the fragrance. The advertising campaigns have evolved over the years, but the classic glamour and romance they depict have remained unchanged. Below is an example of a vintage Chanel N° 5 print ad, followed by the 2003 campaign featuring actress Nicole Kidman. The commercial for this ad was shot by Baz Luhrmann, who directed Nicole in Moulin Rouge.

Vintage: Chanel No 5

Modern Day Chanel No 5

Not only is the South African group included in the promotional print campaign, but ‘Fatty Boom Boom’ from their latest album ‘Ten$ion’, features on the video released with it.

Yo-Landi and Ninja appeared on the CBS’s The Late Show with David Letterman on Monday 6^th of February, to launch the album. South African viewers will be able to watch the broadcast on the Tuesday 14^th of February at 23:15, on DStv channel 113.

Below are some items from the collection. We at Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion Design think they are quite stylish, and not at all “zef”!

To make things a bit more entertaining, we have skipped our most elegant and tasteful looks from the ceremony this time round. Instead, we bring you some of our favourite adventurous ones:

Super-vixen Rihanna looks gorgeous in this vampy black number. Although very revealing, Rihanna has a fabulous figure and we love the singer in this simple style!

Rihanna in Armani

While the jury is still out on the Marge Simpson-hairdo, we quite like Katy Perry in this delicate, pastel blue Ellie Saab creation.

Katy Perry in Ellie Saab

Ok, it does look a bit like tinfoil, but Jessie J owns this space-age Julien Macdonald gown. We love how it makes her jet black hair and blue eyes really stand out.

Jessie J in Julien Macdonald

The Cutie Pie Award has to go to Sophia Grace and Rosie! These adorable little girls found out they were to attend the biggest night in music during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show earlier that week.

Sophia Grace and Rosie in pink tutus and tiaras

Although definitely not on our Hot List, we just had to include Nicky Minaj, who left us speechless with this…

Nicky Minaj in Atelier Versace

Really, there are no words.

Let us know: What was your favourite, craziest look from the Grammy’s?

The open day dates will be as follows:

Friday 30th March                       15h00 to 17h00

Friday 13th July                            15h00 to 17h00

Saturday 4th August                     10h00 to 12h00

Friday 28th September                 15h00 to 17h00

If anyone is interested in attending one of the sessions they should book a place by contacting Derek Geddes or Michelle Andrews:

Derek Geddes (PR and Marketing): derek@elizabethgalloway.co.za

Michelle Andrews: michelle@elizabethgalloway.co.za

telephone +27 21 88 00 77 5 (ext. 119)

cell phone +27 72 624 2424

For news and event updates from Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion Design you can follow us on Twitter @EGFASHIONDESIGN or visit our website www.elizabethgalloway.co.za

Please don’t hesitate to contact us should you require further information.

On the 8th December 2011 the Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion Design graduation ceremony was held at the Protea Hotel Techno Park. We are proud to announce that a class of 46 students graduated after completing the three year fashion design programme.

The guest speaker at the graduation was fashion industry professional Gabi Rosenwerth of Rosenwerth. She delivered an inspirational address which highlighted how hard work, dedication, commitment and a passion for the craft were vital ingredients for success in the fashion industry. Learn more about Rosenwerth here.

Five awards were handed out at the 2011 graduation and the following students were the recipients:

• Marike Vorndran received the Elizabeth Galloway Merit Trophy (Awarded to the student with the highest overall mark)
• Kim Gush received the Lena Harley Trophy for best end of year display (Decided by a panel of external judges)
• Marike Vorndran received the Truworths Award for the most commercial range (Decided by a Truworths panel of judges)
• Mia Kriek received the Skill Factor Award for the student with most potential for doing research (Decided by an External Moderator)
• Hubré Wahl received the Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion Design Award for best range on show (Decided by a panel of external judges).

Please join us on the 20th June 2012 when our 2012 third year class will be presenting their self-expression range at our annual fashion event.

Tamryn van der Merwe

Nadia Fouché and Kim Gush

Inez Shaw and Mia Kriek

Monique Rolando and Hubré Wahl

Lizel Bekker and Marika Vorndran

Affectionately referred to in the industry as “Annie’s Angels”, Annie’s Wardrobe is renowned for its wide selection of outfits and accessories used in photo shoots, television shows, and many visual media projects in and around Cape Town. The fire wreaked havoc at the company; less than half of the garments could be salvaged. Fortunately, none of the staff was injured.

Our thoughts are with Annie’s Angels during this trying time.

The winners were as follows:
Menswear: Alberto Penga from Mozambique
Ladieswear: Tausse Daniel from Mozambique
Special Mention: Domingas Loforte from Mozambique

2009 Elizabeth Galloway graduate and Miss Namibia 2010 Odile Gertze was also a contestant, and took home the honours as Pan African Designer. Well done Odile, we are very proud of you!

As acknowledgment of her exceptional talent and hard work, Domingas Loforte has been given the opportunity of studying at the Academy. Domingas started her studies at Elizabeth Galloway last week and we are delighted to have her continue her promising journey in fashion with us.

Odile Gertze collection

Tausse Daniel collection

Odile Gertze

Kate Beckinsale looks tanned and glowing in this elegant Roberto Cavalli creation, and the diamond cuff bracelets finish the look off beautifully.

Kate Beckinsale in Roberto Cavalli

Salma Hayek’s Art Deco black and gold Gucci gown perfectly complements her curvy figure, hair and olive skin tone.

Salma Hayek in Gucci

Angelina Jolie looks ravishing in this slender Versace column, with a pop of bold red. The Christian Louboutin clutch and scarlet lips complete this look.

Angelina Jolie in Versace

Sofia Vergara is reminiscent of a water nymph is this gorgeous teal Vera Wang mermaid gown, which draws attention to her stunning curves.

Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang

We love Natalie Portman in this two-tone fuchsia and red dress by Lanvin. Although a far departure from her usual understated style, we think this bold number really suits her.

Natalie Portman in Lanvin

What are your favourite looks from this year’s Golden Globes?

Robyn Cooke, well known fashion writer and blogger, has this message for our students: “In 2011, the graduating class from Elizabeth Galloway included, in my view, the best fashion students in the country. It is a lot to live up to for the classes that follow. By prioritising your education, believing that you have much to learn, knowing that every opportunity will come to those of you who are talented and driven and creative – and work harder than anyone else – you will eclipse even their achievements. Keep your sense of humour intact, your style adventurous and know that this is the most creative that you will ever be allowed to be. I can’t wait to see how you are going to reinvigorate my fashion world when I see your collections!”

Welcome to Elizabeth Galloway and we look forward to our journey together in 2012.

- Elizabeth Galloway

Elizabeth Galloway, Head of Institute