10 Best Fashion Tips: The Only Style Advice You'll Ever Need

With a whole new year upon us, many will be thinking about how to revamp their wardrobe or look throughout 2014 but with so many bits of advice floating around, it can be hard to figure out what tips to focus on. 

English: A fashion shoot of outfits found at a "Take Off Your Clothes" clothing swap. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Know Thy Body:

Know your measurements before you shop. Not only will it cut down the time you spend trying on clothes, it will help you choose outfits that fit your body perfectly. Among the most important body parts to measure are your bust, chest, hips and waist. 

Don't Go Too Tight Or Too Loose:

Dressing for your size doesn't just mean nixing clothes that are too tight from your wardrobe. It also means you shouldn't wear clothes that are too baggy. Both will make you look frumpy.

Make Sure You Can Walk In Them:

There are some occasions we'd sacrifice comfort for fashion. After all, four inch heels guarantee that legs-for-miles look. But if it looks better than it actually feels on your foot, you probably won't wear it. Don't waste your money (or endure the pain).

Be A Lone Wolf:

Shop solo. You'll be able to concentrate more on hunting down exactly what you're looking for. You'll save a lot of time while you're at it too.

The Power Of Peplum:

Worried about your waist or hips? Try peplum for an instant slimming effect. It flatters every figure and does wonders at hiding unsightly bulge.

Try On Three Sizes, Not One:

Shoe sizes vary among designers and brands. Start by trying on your usual shoe size, then try on one pair that's a half-size smaller and a second pair that's a half-size larger. When in doubt, buy the shoes that are a half-size larger. 

Know Your Colours:

Know which colours will flatter you the most by figuring out if the undertones in your skin are either warm or cold. The experts say women with cool undertones look best in white, black, gray, silver, and shades of blue. Women with warm undertones will be dazzling in shades of yellow, gold, brown, green and red. 

Organize Your Closet:

Organize your closet. This way you'll be able to see what you own (and actually wear it). Separate your clothes by garment. Figure out what can be folded neatly and what needs to be hanged. Make sure you get the right hangers for shirts, skirts and pants. Use storage shelves to store your purses and intimates and buy a shoe rack.

Limit Accessories:

We love accessories, but we have to draw the line somewhere. If you're throwing yourself an arm party, then it might be better to steer clear of too many rings. If you're wearing large earrings that scream for attention, then you might want to forgo an equally radiant necklace — they will only work against each other. 

Purse Essentials:

A purse isn't just a fashion statement. It's main purpose is functional. You carry it around wherever you go so it needs to contain some essentials: your wallet, a pen, pain killers, hand sanitizer, tissues, make-up essentials (we personally won't leave the house without lip stick and/or lip balm), hand cream, gum or breath mints, tampons or maxi pads (no one wants to be caught off guard during that time of the month), and for those of you who spend lengthy bouts talking, texting or gaming, bring your phone charger along.


Article by Andiswa Mkhize - Fashion Writer

Andiswa grew up with a love for fashion.

Find her on Twitter:  @andiswamk 

Email: mkhizeandiswa@ymail.com 

SA's biggest action sports athletes take to the ramp with Mountain Dew

The biggest names in South African action sports have taken to the ramp in Mountain Dew’s award winning Dew Tour Bootcamp, which kicked off on Monday, 17 February. 

(Picture - Supplied) 

This adrenaline-fuelled roadshow will visit major campuses across the country, offering students the chance to witness exciting performances by the country’s best in freestyle BMX and skateboarding.

Featuring top athletes including Adam Woolf, Colin Loudon and Martin Stoffberg, the Dew Tour Bootcamp boasts a freestyle skate park where street culture, big production and action sports collide, giving audiences the audacious show they deserve. An added highlight is the Bootcamp element, to which amateurs and enthusiasts are invited, for a training session with their favourite athletes.

Once again, each event includes a gaming zone. For those who like to keep their participation a little more virtual, SKATE 3, from the award-winning SKATE franchise, delivers all the rivalry of skateboarding. All this plus DJs, great give-aways, a chance to win a customised skateboard, and an endless supply of Mountain Dew, makes the Dew Tour Bootcamp a must-see event.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/MountainDewSA 

or follow @Mountain_DewSA on Twitter

#DotheDewSA

Event Schedule

27 Feb 2014 - University of Stellenbosch

07 March 2014 - University of Kwazulu Natal (Westville) 

14 March 2014 - University of Johannesburg (Kingsway)

Athlete line-up

BMX

Colin Loudon, Stuart Loudon, Malcolm Peters, David Rigby, Darren Oatley

Skate

Adam Woolf, Martin Stoffberg, Alan Marola, Khule Ngubane, Ant De Mendonca

Dew Tour Bootcamp: A 2013 Student Village Makoya Youth Awards winner

• Last year’s edition of Dew Tour Bootcamp took top spot in the OMG! category at the Student Village Makoya Youth Awards. This specific category was “designed to highlight a brand’s ability to make an impression and be provocative” and student voters felt that Mountain Dew did exactly that. For more info, click here

Yiull Damaso has an Art Exhibit for You and A Call For Filmmakers

Art Exhibit

Yiull Damaso Artist Studio Presents

My Humanity - Mandi Friedman's First Ceramic Exhibit

23 Feb Opening - 3pm - 6pm

56 Buckingham Avenue, Craighall Park, Johannesburg
Call 083-234-0870


Call For Filmmakers

7th Talents Durban at the Durban International Film Festival 

18-22 July 2014

The 35th Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), hosted by the Centre for Creative Arts, University of KwaZulu-Natal, with support from Berlinale Talents, is proud to announce the opening of applications for 7th Talents Durban taking place 18-22 July. Applicants can apply online at www.durbanfilmfest.co.za before the closing date of 31 March 2014.

This year’s Talents Durban’ theme Continent of Contrast/ de Contrastes is an ode to the godfather of African cinema, Djibril Diop Mambéty’s, first film Contras'city (City of Contrast). Celebrating the 45th anniversary of the film, the 7th Talents Durban looks to bring film makers from across the continent draw inspiration from Africa’s long tradition of story-telling. Breaking away from the stereotypical and homogenous narrative Africa, this year’s edition of Talents Durban aims to highlight the truth that this continent is home to a myriad of cultures, colours, stories. The 7th Talents Durban looks to not only highlight the stories of Africa, but create a culture of Africans telling their own stories.

Now in its 7th edition, Talent’s Durban looks to continue its proud history of acting as a launching pad for filmmakers from Africa. Understanding the unique needs and challenges facing film makers on the continent, Talent’s Durban looks to provide film makers with the tools to enable their careers to thrive in the international film industry.

 The programme provides the selected participants with a unique opportunity to meet with international industry professionals, experts and mentors in various aspects of the filmmaking business through participation in a 5-day programme of master classes, workshops and industry networking events. Running in parallel to the 35th Durban International Festival programme, this year’s Talent Campus Durban will offer three hands-on training programmes: Doc Station which will focus on documentary-making, Talent Press which is dedicated to film criticism and Script Station which will supports story development. Doc Station will offer three selected Talents the opportunity to refine and polish documentary projects for pitching at the 5th Durban FilmMart’s DOC Circle. Meanwhile, Talent Press will mentor four African journalists in the art of film criticism with access to all the screenings of the 35th Durban International Film Festival, creating reviews that will be published on numerous platforms. Script Station will offer the opportunity to writers to develop their stories while pitching their ideas to a panel of industry experts. Talents will also have access to the networking events available during the film festival.

Applications for the 7th Talents Durban are completed through an online application process. Applicants must meet the criteria found on website. The application deadline is 31 March 2014. Applications and materials which arrive after 31 March will not be considered. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Successful applicants will be informed via email and the website by 21 April 2014.

Application forms and full regulations available at www.durbanfilmfest.co.za

Talent’s Durban is presented in partnership with Berlinale Talents, with support from the German Embassy of South Africa, the Goethe-Institute of South Africa, and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism. Through the international programme, with a networks that extends to Talents International events in Berlin, Buenos Aires, Guadalajara, Sarajevo and Tokyo, as well as Durban, participants are initiated into a global community of filmmakers and connected via a wide social network platform operated through the Berlinale.

Looking for Energy at the Africa Energy Indaba

The Africa Energy Indaba brings together international and continental experts to share their insights and solutions to Africa's energy crisis, while simultaneously exploring the vast energy development opportunities on offer in Africa.

Adopted by the World Energy Council (WEC) as the African regional event of the WEC and presented by the South African National Energy Association (SANEA), the Africa Energy Indaba is supported by the African Union and the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency. As such, the Africa Energy Indaba has achieved the highest level of endorsement and support for an energy conference on the Continent.

This year, the Africa Energy Agency Indaba is proudly hosted by the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA), with the Gauteng Provincial Department of Infrastructure and Development (GPDID) coming on board as the exhibition host.

For participation: http://www.africaenergyindaba.com/

Article by +Fred Felton 

Exclusive Books has a Summer Sale and Competition Coming Up & We Have Auditions For You

Exclusive Books Summer Sale

The details: the Summer Sale has over 115,000 books, averaging at R60 a book. It will begin with a Fanatics-only preview at all stores (excluding airport stores) from 5pm on the 25th of February. The sale begins on the 26th of February as soon as stores open. You’ll still accrue Fanatics points on all purchases, and they happily accept gift vouchers. There’s no maximum number of books per customer, but they do insist on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Join them for an abundance of stories this Summer Sale, and fill your shelves, coffee tables and bedside tables with the best of human creativity.

Competition:

They are excited to announce that they are giving you the chance to live that most special of childhood ambitions: a two minute dash though one of their stores, in which you will scoop and KEEP as many books as you can grab.

Want it? Of course you do.

To enter, you must take a picture of yourself in front of our sales tables on the night of the Fanatics Preview on the 25th of February. Yes, we are asking you to take a shelfie, which is what readers do. Email the photo along with your Fanatics number to win@exclusives.co.za to stand a chance to enter. They will pick a Fanatics number at random, and that winner will get to choose the store they want to do their dash in.

It's that simple!

Oh, and if you tweet the picture to @Exclusivescoza, then they will share your good taste with their fans ;)

Auditions

**URGENT CASTING: Female Actress**

We are looking for a strong, powerful, skillful and multy talented actress to play in a one woman show "Giving Birth to My Father". She must be very good in comic timings and a clever actress. The Production will be staged at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival this year Produced by Mncube Productions and Mentored by Roel Twijnstra

Character:
Nomathemba is 37 years old. She is arrested for the past 18 years.  On the day that she is getting her Freedom back, she is afraid to walk out of jail. She survived 18 years of imprisonment by using her imagination. She doesn’t know that imagination is waiting for her outside.


If you think you have what it takes, join us at the auditions:

Date: 22 Febuary 2014

Venue: Stable Theatre

Time: 9h00 - 13h00


*Please prepare a 1 minute comic/dramatic Monologue
NB, its must be comic and dramatic at the sametime.

*Prepare a song of your choice

Please send a mail to azitozn@yahoo.com to book your slot

Darren Maule's top 5 tips for Valentine's Day & Other Valentine's News

If Cupid’s arrow hasn’t yet found its way to your heart, perhaps these Valentine’s Day tips from East Coast Radio’s Darren Maule will do the trick! The Breakfast Stack presenter has decided to dish out advice ahead of the most romantic day of the year (but doesn’t say if this comes from personal experience!)

Darren Maule’s Top 5 Valentine’s Day Tips

1. Check if she suffers from hayfever.......no flowers!
2. Check if she is on a diet..............no dinner required!
3. Check if she has a dairy allergy or is diabetic.....chocolates are a no go!
4. Make sure DSTV subscription is up to date and you have PVR'ed The Notebook, Notting Hill, When Harry Met Sally & Pretty Woman
5. Remember her name...(very important)

uShaka celebrates Valentine's Day

With February being the “love month”, we will be getting into the vibe with our new campaign “I Love uShaka” to celebrate all things warm and fuzzy over the Valentine’s period.

Falling on a Friday, this Valentine’s Day will be extended for an entire weekend – running from Friday, February 14^th until Sunday, February 16^th - with so much to do, see and win.

For those with a love for fabulous food, then treat your tummy to a yummy meal at the Cargo Hold, who have lovingly created two special menus for you to enjoy with that special someone this Valentine’s weekend at a cost of R325 pp for the standard menu or R695 for the cupid’s admiral platter for two that includes live entertainment or visit any one of our many superb restaurants in the Village walk, including Piatto Mediterranean Kitchen, Centre Court, Moyo, Panarotti’s, Ocean Basket, Café Java, Silverspear Spur and many more – you’re spoilt for choice!  

If locking lips with your someone special is number one on your list this Valentine’s Day then visit our kissing couch in the Village Walk where couples can snuggle up and have their pictures taken free, which will be uploaded to our uShaka Marine World Facebook page. Tag yourself in your image and stand a chance to win a R1000 Cargo Hold voucher as well as other fantastic prizes.  

Then if you’re game - share our theme this year by bringing an umbrella and joining in the Salsa dancing in the Village Walk, with qualified teachers to show you how to move to the sultry groove!

That’s not all; on Valentine’s night look out for our sexy characters handing out chocolates to make your day extra sweet.

Now, we will be going even further by hosting a super awesome deal for 10 days! The fun begins on Friday the 14^thand ends on Sunday, February 23^rd  - if you buy a combo ticket at R185 your “1 & only” only pays R10! So treat your special someone to a great day out without breaking the bank!

Uber Durban Has A Surprise For You

If you use the services of @Uber_Durban on Valentine's Day you might just find a surprise in your Uber Limo.  

Find out more here:  

https://twitter.com/Uber_Durban

Short Story Time, Events and News from AFDA Durban

STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT by Andrew Verster

“Go right down to the bottom of  Uruguay, “ she said, “right to the tip and you can’t miss Montevideo.”

“And then, what?”

“That’s where my great-great Aunt Matilda was born. But of course, unless you speak the language you are, to use her phrase, “like a lost fart in a thunderstorm.”

“How, then, did she happen to be born there?”

“The Waratoga, it was a freighter that took a few passengers, stopped there as a Mrs. Roughead (unfortunate name), had had an attack of Angina and needed to see a doctor urgently. Touch and go, they said.  And Aunt Matilda’s father who was known for his curiosity, did a bit of wandering about to pass the time and got to the harbour to see the Waratoga sailing into the sunset.”

“So?”

“He shrugged his shoulders and made the best of it.”

“And?”

“He went to the Embassy and they put him in touch with a local businessman in the import/export business and before you could say Bob’s Your Uncle, he had made a fortune, married a local beauty queen, produced a handful of exquisite children, and then, in the dark of night, boarded a steamship and left for who-knows-where? Interpol could not trace him. His photo was on the Google for months. He simply vanished into thin air.”

“So what is the point of the story?”

“None that I can think of.”

“So why are you telling me this?”

“Can’t think.”

“Nice talking to you anyway. You said your name was?”

The End

Andrew Verster is a writer and artist - email: andrewverster784@gmail.com 

For more info and to register email news@mapit.co.za

New Faces at AFDA Durban Campus

 Joining the AFDA Durban Campus this year are a few new faces to boost the already impressive lecturing line up and a fusion of experience and youth.

Carmen Langston Mitchell; a well-respected and well-known television personality has recently just joined the Durban team with a wealth of experience where she will be lecturing and mentoring first and second year television students. Langston Mitchell has an impressive career in the media industry, where she has worked locally and internationally as a producer, director, scriptwriter and presenter for programmes including “Top Billing” which airs on SABC 3, “The Cosmo Show” and “Carte Blanche” on M-Net, “60 minutes”, BBC’s “Changing Rooms” and BBC’s “Newsround” as well as “BBC World News”. To top her list she has also worked as a social editor and features writer for Style Magazine and was the celebrity lifestyle columnist for Media 24’s YOU Magazine. AFDA Durban Campus’ students will be happy to have her by their side.

To give current AFDA Students hope for the future, a former AFDA Cape Town Campus student, Ashleigh Hart who obtained an AFDA Bachelor of Arts Honours in Motion Picture Medium has also joined the Screen Design Department in the school of film as a Costume, Make Up and Styling & Production Design Lecturer. Hart recently won Gold at the AFDA 2013 Awards for Costume, Make-up and Styling for the film The Other Woman (an Honours Graduation Film) directed by another former AFDA Cape Town Campus student; Thea Small where Hart was awarded Best Post graduate Film and the Critics Choice Award. During post graduate year at AFDA, Hart also worked on the feature film Die Windpomp, as well as a Ster-Kinekor Vision Mission commercial.

And last, but not least is New Marketing Assistant; Purity Shezi-Magaya who has joined the Marketing Department headed by Milena Gevers at the AFDA Durban Campus.  Magaya graduated with a National Diploma in Marketing Management, and also comes with a bag of experience having worked with the Vodacom KZN Regional offices and other various brands at The Creative Council promotions agency.

Franco Human, the Dean of the AFDA Durban Campus is very excited with the new team; “We welcome the new staff to the Durban Campus. I am sure that they will add much value to their respective departments. It’s our second year since our opening of this campus and we look forward to adding to the benchmark set by our first intake of students.”

For details on registration and general information, call (031) 569-2252 or e-mail milenag@afda.co.za

Article by Lauren Immelman

Edited by +Fred Felton 

Opportunity For Fashion Designers and Fashion Students

The Fashion Development Programme

This will appeal to you if you are a fashion designer or studying fashion or are a fashion house.

The Ethekwini Municipality invites you to be part of a Fashion Development Programme.

The program consists of:

• Mentorship
• Workshops
• Fashion Fair
• Fashion Pavilion at Durban Business Fair
• Fashion Internship programme

For more info contact Pearl Mzimela

email: Pearl.Mzimela@durban.gov.za

tel: 031-322-6203

Deadline: 19 Feb 2014

(Source - Ethekwini Municipality) 

Loads of Events Coming Up Around South Africa

The Power Series Business Breakfast - Sales & Marketing

Join World Class Speakers:

• Clive Price
• Ray Patterson
• Andrew Horton
• Paul du Toit is your MC

Where: Sunnyside Park Hotel, Parktown, Johannesburg

When: Feb 27 2014

Time: 8am for 8h30am to 11h30

For more info email info@richardmulvey.com

Call: 0861 444 888

Web:  www.powerseries.co.za 

(Source - The Power Series) 

Kids Valentines Cooking

(Source - Hirsch's)

Book Launch - The Real Meal Revolution

Join Prof Tim Noakes and nutritionist Sally-Ann Creed for the launch of this book.

Where: Exclusive Books Hyde Park

When: 13 Feb

Time: 17h30 for 18h00

Enquiries: hydepark@exclusivebooks.co.za or 011-325-4298

(Source - Exclusive Books) 

The Durban Chamber of Commerce & Industry Power Connection

Join Alec Hogg as he unpacks Davos and the Budget.

Date: 27 Feb 2014

Venue: Suncoast

Time: 12 for 12h30 - 14h30

Enquiries: mchunun@durbanchamber.co.za 

(Source - Durban Chamber) 

Article by +Fred Felton 

ECR's Mak Dlamini tried to take on a British Airways A380

East Coast Radio's Mak Dlamini had a race with a British Airways A380 yesterday.

(Mak getting some tips from Bryan Habana)

Mak put in some highly impressive footwork.  He gave it his all.  Did he succeed? Read on to find out.

The British Airways A380 touched down at King Shaka Airport as part of a publicity campaign for its new
Man Vs Plane contest.

(On your marks!) 

Mak gave it his best but sadly the machine pipped Mak by a few seconds.

(Pictures - Supplied)

Article by +Fred Felton 

The Outlook for Africa 2014

Last week I was invited to attend the Africa Frontiers Forum which was all about
'The Outlook for Africa 2014.'

(Professor Foster-Pedley and Dr Davies in discussion)

It was a very interesting Forum indeed with many guests eager for knowledge.
You can find some interesting Tweets all about the event on #AFF

The event was hosted by Dr Martyn Davies from Frontier Advisory.

He gave us some interesting points to consider:

• How do we deal with structural unemployment?
• Ghana is good at diversification of economy.
• Is Africa the next Asia?
• Who are the first-movers?  

Next up was Professor Jonathan Foster-Pedley (Henley Business School - Africa)

He too had some interesting items to share with us:

• Create a strategic plan for your lives
• The purpose of business is to develop value
• Managers analyse the mess, they ask how can we fix it?  They then develop a plan and adjust accordingly.  They catch mistakes before they get big.
• We need better managers for SA
• A business plan should be sound and round.
• He reminded us that Google was still in Beta for 10-15 years even when it was worth a billion.

Next we had some interesting panel discussions around Africa.

The first panel was moderated by Hannah Edinger (Frontier Advisory) and the panel featured Peter Draper (SAIIA), Neville Matjie (TIKZN), Colin Grieve (AfrAsia Bank, South Africa) and Dr Clive Coetzee (KZN Provincial Treasury)

Among some of the key take-aways from this panel were:

• Credit is expensive in Africa
• Africa is an opportunity
• 50% of the World's Arable Land is in Africa
• Look to invest in neighbouring countries like Botswana, Swaziland and Namibia.

Next we had an interesting discussion with Dr Martyn Davies and Saxen van Coller (Dube TradePort)

Dr Davies informed us of the African Hubs:

• Johannesburg
• Nairobi
• Paris
• London
• Dubai

Can you spot the two that don't belong?

Ms van Coller then told us about the Dube TradePort and the development of the Aerotropolis around Dube TradePort.

On a question as to what she thought about British Airways landing an A380 at King Shaka Airport she replied, 'We are on the radar.'  

Next we had a look at the Banking and Finance Outlook for 2014.

Hannah Edinger moderated and was joined by Cas Coovadia (Banking Association of SA) and Yolande van Wyk (eWallet Solutions FNB)

(Hannah Edinger, Cas Coovadia, Yolande van Wyk) 

Some of the key points included:

• Banks need distribution in Africa
• Banks need to change the way they operate in Africa
• Disruptive Technology is geared for Africa

The event was wrapped up with a discussion by Dr Davies and Professor Foster-Pedley.

Dr Davies showed us some of the entrepreneurs that had become successful in Africa.

Among them were:

• Cecil John Rhodes
• Koos Bekker - Naspers
• Whitey Basson - Shoprite Checkers
• Aliko Dangote - Dangote Group

In conclusion Africa is truly an inspiring place and you can become very successful in Africa.

As was said in the Forum - Africa is an opportunity.

Upcoming Africa Frontiers Forum:

African Cities as Emerging Hubs and Drivers of Innovation and Growth

Date: Wed 19th Feb 2014

Where: IDC, 82 Grayston Drive, Sandton

web: www.frontieradvisory.com

email: africafrontiersforum@frontieradvisory.com 

Twitter: @FrontierSA and @MartynDavies888

Facebook: Frontier Advisory 

Article and Images by +Fred Felton