Ever wanted to walk in Queen B’s shoes? Or break out in a sweat looking like Kylie and Kendall Jenner?
Well, now you can. The country’s biggest social media star — and the two youngest sisters in the Kardashian brood — launched new lines in South Africa this week.
First up Bonang Matheba, who invited us to Cape Town for the reveal of her collaboration with Steve Madden, the New York-based shoe brand known for its chunky platforms.
The shindig took place at the Ocular lounge and event space, atop the Zeitz MOCAA museum AT the V&A Waterfront on Monday evening.
This is a venue with remarkable views overlooking the harbour, but it’s also a little unnerving for an acrophobic like myself due to the see-through glass floor of the outside atrium.
Picking up a flute of House of BNG sparkling wine, I say hello to actress Jessica Nkosi and meet Precious Thamaga Mazibuko, the events queen better known as Precious The Planner, who appears to be Bonang’s go-to events person.
Next it is hello to someone who returned to the Expresso breakfast show sofa in August after being exonerated from the abuse allegations hanging over his head for the past two years.
“The engines stopped working for a while, but then someone walked into the factory and flicked the switch,” Katlego Maboe answers when I ask how it feels to be back on the box.
On to catching up with one of the bubbliest women in Cape Town — Bachelorette SA star Qiniso Van Damme who is there with a friend, pretty Hungarian Zsuzsanna Kuminecz.
I also chat flicks with Tracey Lange, who tells me she’s producing her third movie (Griekwastad, her previous film, won a South African Film and Television Awards gong last year).
Next, fashion with designer Gavin Rajah, whose Cape Town Resort collections will take place next month — and who is accompanied by his pretty niece, Layla Lombard.
With sipping all that champopo, I search in vain for snacks to line my belly, but, alas, none is to be found.
Instead, I greet Bonang’s businesswoman mom, Charlotte Mokoena, before the official bits start when one of my new faves, Nomalanga Shozi, welcomes us enthusiastically.
Nomalanga introduces Ian Funk, Steve Madden’s president of international sales, who flew in from the US to attend the launch and sings Bonang’s praises.
Meanwhile, of the range, which Bonang selected from the brand’s existing library of styles, and which features six footwear and two handbag options, the former TV personality says: “This is such an important day for me, for my family, and an important day for my career.”
And, certainly, when the range is revealed, the audience is full of oohs and aahs.
Still no sight of grub when the show ends, though, so I decide to hotfoot it out of there.
Luckily, a delectable brunch was on the menu on Thursday morning, when the Kendall + Kylie apparel range was revealed at Edgars in Sandton City.
The cute collection, which includes activewear, cocktail numbers, swimwear and underwear, is here thanks to a licensing agreement with 51 Apparel, a subsidiary of The 51 Group which also distributes the luxe French eco-beauty brand Panier des Sens.
Guests taking in the collection include model mom Rosette Ncwana and TV personality Kim Jayde, who has landed a new gig which fits her to a tee.
The takkies lover has been appointed head of marketing for Sneaker District South Africa, which is touted as “the premium destination for sneaker culture”.
Sadly, no sight of Kylie and Kendall, but who’s complaining when we are well fed thanks to a spread starting with a continental harvest table including croissants, strawberry yoghurt cups, seasonal fruit and cold meats, followed by a choice of either eggs Benedict or eggs Royale served at the Sandton Sun’s San Deck outside dining spot.
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