Timeless spring fashion

Tag : twist satin

Sitting in my seat and watching the collection from Frans Kies onWednesday night, I kept thinking that I hoped he did that blouse,that dress, oh, and that one too, in my size.
I am a woman for whom style is a daily aspiration. I am a woman whois strong and yet celebrates her femininity. In short, I am adresses and blouses girl who is not afraid to tweak up the twist alittle bit. I think that I am a Frans Kies girl.
This may be why, when I got a few minutes to meet with Frans, Iseemed to do most of the chatting. It's not that I don't want toknow all about his inspiration, background and story; it's justthat his clothes actually do most of the talking for him. And itallows this softly spoken, obviously intelligent, man to smile atyou and let you just enjoy the garments he's designed for you.
This is Frans' second career, at 31 he is only a year into his newlife as a fashion designer and there is much to be said about this.
Coming from a background of graphic design, influenced strongly bymusic and popular culture, Frans is also extremely au fait with thebusiness world. Professionalism and business acumen are often inshort supply in the fashion industry, but Frans has this part ofhis skill set down.
'The heart of a boy brought up in SA'
And there is no mistaking the commercial viability of hiscollection. But don't let the understated elegance of the show foolyou into thinking that it lacks creative excitement.
In this collection there is a whiff of the French Riviera in the40s, but with an African soul. There is a 1970sPucci-at-cocktail-hour sentiment but with a nod to our indigenoustribes. Not obviously, you understand, but inherent in a verycosmopolitan collection beats the heart of a boy brought up in goodold SA.
His references are overtly European new-money, without being Eurotrash. He maintains this elegance to his designs by tapping intothe timeless quality of a summer at the sea.
His use of luxe fabrics also contributes to the high quality of thelook he achieves.
With liberal use of two of my all-time favourite fabrics, silksatin and silk chiffon  Frans infuses each garment with anethereal beauty, enhanced by the sparing use of feathers, sequinsand small bows.
Timelessness is also achieved through the use of a limited colourpalette. The nautical elements of red, white and blue are presentand correct, executed in trousers, shorts, blouses and dresses.While the black and white colour block mini kaftan, tunic and macare enduring expressions of the monochrome look.
And yet there is unexpectedness in the sheerness of the blouse, thebrightness of the one shoulder dress and the shortness of thecheeky little wrap. As the viewer you feel a little like a voyeur,as the wearer, you feel your own power and feminine confidence.
A young designer with the added bonus of extra life experience,Frans presented a mature and timeless collection of beautiful yetwearable garments. You take a risk when you wear one of thesepieces, but the risk is sure and elegant and totally worth it.
For more information on Robyn and for photos from Joburg FashionWeek, go to: http://styleguidecapetown.blogspot.com