What is on Wanted’s hot list this week

MARIANNE FASSLER WINTER 2018

The noble warrior in Marianne Fassler’s winter 2018 collection is powerful and feminine all at the same time. As in everything from the remarkable Leopard Frock team, the detail and styling are extraordinary – I just can’t stop looking at these pictures.

I loved the poem the studio sent out with the images:

her arms spike contrasting petals overhead
you can tell she is different from the rest
care-free and open to explore the crannies of our world
optimistic is this unusual wild flower whose tongue liberates in vivid blue
strikingly beautiful, gracefully departing 
the native lily of South Africa is 
unapologetically free

- Melissa Fontini

RETRO REVIVAL AT JAEGER-LECOULTRE

The whole world is in love with the sporty new look at Jaeger-LeCoultre – and by all accounts their new ambassador Benedict Cumberbatch is too. He was spotted wearing the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Memovox at the Avengers premiere and I can’t blame him.

It’s a styish reinvention of a 1968 edition and with the sporty rubber strap and a limited edition of only 1000 being sold around the world, I reckon Mr C should hold onto his treasure!

DIARY ALERT

There’s only one event to diarise on Mother’s Day weekend and that’s the American Express Winter Sculpture Fair at Nirox on 12th and 13th May. If you’re never experienced this wonderful day of great food, wine, sculpture and beautiful people – you’re in for a treat. Some of the best chefs and wineries from Franschhoek come up to Jozi for the occasion, and a delicious art-fuelled picnic on the rolling lawns of Nirox is simply one of winter’s best day’s out. Of course you’re likely to know everyone there so it is also the most fun daytime party on the city’s social calendar.

The lineup of artists include Ndebele art legend Esther Mahlangu, Japanese multimedia artist Yoko Ono, who will be exhibiting in South Africa for the first time. Also look out for new work by Mary Sibande, Zanele Muholi and Claudette Schreuders.

And to make the whole eating and arting experience so much easier, organisers have recommended we download the Masterpass mobile payments app. You can book your Winter Sculpture fair tickets at tixsa.co.za

THE STRIPY SEVENTIES SHIRT

And while you’ve got your diary out, pop in to Strauss & Co on Thursday 3rd May at 17h30 for an evening of art and fashion. Senior arts specialist Wilhelm van Rensburg will be doing a talk on the fashion and how it has been depicted in art over the ages. There’ll be bubbly and of course yours truly will be beating the Vintage with Love drum – so please do bring your gently worn fashion donations along!

REVIVING THE LAUNDRY

A long weekend at home meant a mandatory visit to Kamers/Makers at St David’s in Illovo – and what a delight it was. Our favourite purchase: Old-fashioned cotton pyjamas for him and her from The Woodstock Laundry. It’s a charming story about some kids who, when their parents broke the news that they had to close down their CMT business, decided there was work to be done. The family factory was reinvented under the lovely hipster-sounding name, The Woodstock Laundry, and the product is something that many of us have discovered: The luxury of lounging and sleeping in good old fashioned, button up, cotton pyjamas.

I also just love the sentiment behind the story: Saving a family business, employing South Africans to create a luxurious South African product. And just sticking to pyjamas. Not shirts, not socks, not bags. Just pyjamas.