NEWS ROUND UP: 4 stories

Hello everyone! I just wanted to round up some news for you to peruse this chilly Friday afternoon. I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend :)

BIRKENSTOCK AVAILABLE AT EDGARS
Edcon is putting the spring into your step with the launch of BIRKENSTOCK this September. The innovative brand has recently opened its first professional BIRKENSTOCK Corner in South Africa via the most desirable platform, Edgars Sandton City.

BIRKENSTOCK is currently spearheading a new trend which is combining fashionable sandals with added health benefits for women and men. Choosing BIRKENSTOCK is not only putting your best fashion foot forward, but also investing in the correct biokenetics for your feet. With its unique footbed BIRKENSTOCK is an evolution in the global footwear manufacturing industry, and has been for more than 40 years.

The essence of all BIRKENSTOCK shoe models is the original footbed. Inspired by the natural imprint of a foot in the sand, it feels just like walking barefoot. The BIRKENSTOCK anatomical shape ideally supports the natural walking action of your foot. Your feet, joints and back are protected while at the same time your foot and leg muscles are exercised, and your health and well-being benefit.

Shop BIRKENSTOCK now at Edgars Sandton City using your Edgars Thank U Store Card and buy on account with six months interest free credit, while earning Thank U points to spend.



ghd’s revolutionary new drying and styling experience will blow you away

Styling super-brand ghd has launched a new and extraordinary hairdryer, ghd aura™, that is set to change the way we style hair. The ghd aura™ has been developed by the team at the brand’s research and development facility in Cambridge.  
ghd’s global creative director Sam McKnight – who used ghd aura™ at London Fashion Week last season – said: “ghd aura™ delivers stunning shine and luxurious volume… I love it.  A product that dries while it styles - ghd aura™ is truly different. The best thing about ghd aura™ is the beautiful volume and shine that can be achieved.”
The benefits and features include:
· Control: brand new Laminair™ technology delivers a 65% more concentrated, non-turbulent air stream, so when working on one section of hair, all other sections stay undisturbed, allowing exceptional precision and control
· Shine: unlike any other hairdryer, Laminair™ technology aligns hair in a single direction, creating a focused airflow with even speed and temperature, leaving it ultra-smooth and 38% more shiny
· Volume: breakthrough Cool-Wall™ technology keeps the casing and nozzle cool to touch at 44˚C, versus 126˚C.  This innovation allows you to get much closer to the scalp for amazing root lift and volume, setting your style as it dries
· Quiet: the next generation brushless motor means ghd aura™ is smaller, lighter and 60% quieter
· Economical: ghd aura™ also makes financial sense, requiring 17% less electrical energy consumption
 Landi Le Roux, ghd marketing and education manager, is thrilled with the launch.  “This innovation further enhances our portfolio of styling products and comes at a time when professionals need and want to be offering the best blow-dry they can for their clients.  ghd aura™ launched in Europe earlier this year and feedback from both stylists and consumers have been phenomenal. We are very excited to launch this amazing tool in South Africa and invite consumers to visit their salons and experience the benefits for themselves.”


MARQUES’ ALMEIDA x TOPSHOP 
TOPSHOP is proud to announce it is working with design duo MARQUES’ ALMEIDA for the first time this season. The collection will launch worldwide on 9 October 2014 with pieces that stay true to the designer’s identity that has made waves through London Fashion Week the last two seasons. Fabric-led separates and basics create the perfect 90’s inspired wardrobe, where mixing high and low provides a youthful, raw and effortless approach to style.



MARQUES’ ALMEIDA comments:
“This collaboration with TOPSHOP was one of the most fun things we’ve worked on. We’ve always focused our research around teenagers and what we call the “ youth code” of dressing since we started the brand, working on  this collection meant we could go back and dig deep into those archives, finding old editions of i-D and The Face, Corinne Day and Kate Moss shoots. Sofia (Marta’s sister) and our friends played a big part in forming this collection, as it was all about what we really want to wear! We can’t wait to see the end result in stores and online!”

Denim
MARQUES’ ALMEIDA’s signature fabric features heavily and is non-stretch in deep indigo and bleached-out blues and whites. Raw edges and a cut-out of the designer’s logo feature, creating a frayed effect. Boxy A-line dresses, straight leg jeans, shorts, skirts, tunic tops, oversized jackets, parkas, plus a bucket hat and rucksack all feature, with standout pieces ripped to emulate an animal print effect.

Ribbed Knitwear
Turtleneck dresses, mid-length skirts, vests, polo shirts, cardigans, jumpers and straight-leg trousers in a lightweight rib knit are designed to be worn together and add colour to the collection in a palette of lime, turquoise, fuchsia and navy.

Silk Georgette & Taffeta
Adding a luxury element to the collection, the bright palette continues across a selection of silk pieces. Georgette is layered and relaxed creating a tiered effect in mid-length dresses, camisoles and long-sleeved blouses. Taffeta pieces are structured and provide a foil like sheen on blazers, blouses, miniskirts and wide leg trousers.

The campaign imagery has been shot by Marta Marques and features a group of friends, including the designers’ muse; Marta’s Sister, Sofia Marques. The collection has the biggest international stockist distribution of any designer collaboration and will be going into 68 stores.

Kate Phelan, TOPSHOP Creative Director Comments:
“MARQUES’ ALMEIDA have given the TOPSHOP girl a window into their super cool world. This collection brings everything that is modern and fresh about the design duo. 90’s, grunge and youth are referenced and the MARQUES’ ALMEIDA signature look is brought together perfectly.”



Steve Madden collection for Spring 2014
A rock-and-roll story of young love in the city unfolds for Steve Madden in spring 2014. Set in Williamsburg, a young hipster couple embodies the 60s Brit rock lifestyle. Late nights lead to 
early morning hangouts around their Brooklyn apartment and atop their roof over-looking the city skyline.

HEAVY METAL
Never one to blend in with the crowd, the Steve Madden woman makes a statement in spring 2014 by rocking bold metals on her feet. Sporting strappy flat sandals like the DAISEY and KROATIA, she stylishly goes through her day of vintage shopping, reading, and practicing guitar in McCarren Park. 

ELASTICITY
Spring is all about festivals, picnics, concerts and parties and the SM girl is doing it all in style. Sky-high cork wedges, like the ROPERR and PRIDE have elastic uppers, which make them daytime adventure-approved. Take the fierce STRETCHE stiletto out on nights when you want to embrace your inner rock goddess.

GLADIATOR CITY
Miss Madden takes her love of vintage to the next level by sporting the styles of the Romans. The GLENDAEL gives a sexy twist to the Gladiator trend by adding height—a stacked platform and heel give her legs for days. Turning heads is standard practice for the SM girl and the knee high ARISOTLE will make sure she’s grabbing attention wherever she goes. The shorter PLATO is perfectly styled with shorts, vintage t-shirt and floppy hat and sunnies – best suited for warm spring days spent outside.


Aldo Partners with Zando.co.za

ALDO, the leading international retailer for fashion footwear and accessories, is now available for online purchase in South Africa. In partnership with online fashion retailer, Zando.co.za, ALDO offers a digital branded environment to purchase ALDO shoes, handbags and accessories ...



Launched in South Africa in 2005, with over 1,700 stores in 88 countries, ALDO is dedicated to delivering fashion to a diverse customer base at prices that make keeping up with seasonal styles a luxury within reach. The decision to launch ecommerce was made in response to a strong demand by the South Africa customer who is increasingly shopping online. The move online is indicative of a brand constantly seeking to offer new services to improve customer experience.

The ALDO online store is powered by Zando; selected for its superior customer service and the easy and secure online shopping experience it affords local customers.

The online ALDO store stands independently from the Zando website, however the check‐out, payment and delivery processes are managed by Zando so customers benefit from their seamless delivery, multiple payment options and free returns. Purchase ALDO online at www.aldoshoessa.co.za. 

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