We’re so excited to read that a past VIVID client, Jimmy Choo have appointed Nicole Kidman as the face of Jimmy Choo.

Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman was the face of famed perfume Chanel No. 5 for a number of years so is no stranger to fronting a campaign. However she will now appear as the new face of luxury shoe and accessories brand, Jimmy Choo.

Jimmy Choo stated that the campaign has a cinematic feel that hints at the power and seduction of the Jimmy Choo woman. Sandra Choi, head creative director of Jimmy Choo, asserts this by saying, “Nicole is one of the finest actresses in the world,” Choi told WWD, “I knew [she] could convey the empowered glamour of the brand. But she is also so nuanced and refined; she brings an attitude of defiance, strength, sensuality and elegance,”

We at VIVID certainly can’t wait to see all the images in our favourite August fashion glossies which include Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Harpers Bazaar having managed both the brand launch event and surrounding PR for Jimmy Choo.

Jacadi, pronounced “Jack-a-Dee”- The French equivalent of ‘Simon Says’ is the first gallery of its kind offering true Parisian clothing and accessories for children aged 0-12 years.

Jacadi not only specialises in infant, toddler and children’s wear, but a sophisticated nursery range that encompasses the French traditions of stylish simplicity and contemporary boutique living.Only noble fabrics, exclusive patterns and premium materials are used to create their seasoned ranges where no detail is over-looked. Their collection ranges widely nautical inspirations for boys, to enchanted stories of old embroidered on the finest linen for little girls.

In each collection expect to find opulently detailed décor, furniture, toys, bath items, sleeping bags, cloths and linen to style your little one’s room. Jacadi not only hosts an array of items to choose from, but consults and installs entire nursery suites from top to bottom.

The Nursery/Childcare range for expecting mothers, fathers and gift shoppers provides practical, ethereal combinations for the most decadent nurseries. From the crib to cabinets, each detail is perfectly sequential in creating a polished, delicate haven for both you and baby. All fittings & trimmings are imported from France, therefore we advise a 3 month lead time.

Jacadi can be found exclusively at store 17,  Middle Level: Hyde Park Shopping Centre in Southern Africa and can be reached at (011) 325 6077

The mood Gucci was going for was a modern feel against a backdrop of metal walls, a surreal dream environment to encapsulate luxury and fashion. The models they used were Daria Stokous and Bastiaan Van Galen, photographed by Mert and Marcus.

GUCCI is available exclusively at GUCCI Boutiques in Cape Town and Johannesburg in Southern Africa. For further information please contact their stores on 021-421 8800 (V&A Waterfront, Cape Town) or 011-784 2597 (Nelson Mandela Square, Johannesburg) or visit www.gucci.com

The Women’s Autumn/Winter Collection juxtaposes a demure silhouette inspired by couture, with a subversive undertone. Elegant shapes, outlined in strong, signature Gucci materials, are contrasted with accessories inspired by the fetish aesthetics of Allen Jones. A noir atmosphere saturated by colour, envisioned on exclusive textiles and details.

The Gucci woman seduces with her dangerous femininity,” explains Creative Director Frida Giannini. “She is steely yet sexy – defining her discipline with femme fatale vices. She wears sculpted dresses with pure graphics, all the while alluding to devious touches.

The silhouette is constructed, while the perfection of couture lines is applied to ready-to-wear. Powerful and body conscious, the new tailleur with skirt was introduced. Jackets are caban style or small, either with softly egg-shaped shoulders or definition. The pencil skirt is meticulously below the knee but reveals an unexpected slit. Worn high for a new, delicate take on the waistline. The little black dress inspires new interpretations, up to the neck or open to show the collar bone. Either embracing the body and employing strategic leather inserts or cut on the bias for languid lines in shiny satin. The coat takes on the form-fitting shapes of a bustier, recalling a robe-manteau. The oversized overcoat is the only nod to the male wardrobe in a self-indulgently ladylike collection. Even pants are feminine with tapering and short lengths. Sexy, irreverent touches finish each look: from t-shirts in leather and python to gloves and the collection’s leitmotif, fishnet tights with a back seam on every look.

The colour palette is purple wine, rust, moss green and cerulean blue tainting black. A wise and novel use of materials and treatments makes each piece precious; leather, both smooth and cracklé, patent, python, pony skin, Astrakhan, silk, bouclé, lace and wool, reworkings of pied de poule and Prince of Wales with shading and even lurex threading. Evoking chinoiserie, tapestry effects with three-dimensional fern leaves see woven metallics interrupting the black dresses, tailleur and outerwear. A cape in goat hair with shading from black to green embellishes an Astrakhan skirt suit.

Every facet of evening, from the t-shirt and skirt to the pairing of pants and tops, through to cocktail dresses and evening gowns are cinematic. A black-out of lace followed by an outburst of color. Ethereal looks with netting and satin, embroidered with feathers, studding, and sequins – intersecting punk with couture.

The accessories are femme fatale. Shiny calfskin and exotic skins.Python and crocodile.Black or monochromatic.Structured bags with archival luggage locks for a retro hint. The iconic Bamboo handle characterizes a new style in two proportions. Booties, boots and sandals, all with sharp high heels, for a touch of fetish. By day, necklaces recalling willow leaves, along with leather lock cuffs. For evening, cuffs adorned with colorful stones evoking the nuances of the embroideries.

Gucci is available exclusively at GUCCI Boutiques in Cape Town and Johannesburg in Southern Africa. For further information please contact their stores on 021-421 8800 (V&A Waterfront, Cape Town) or 011-784 2597 (Nelson Mandela Square, Johannesburg) or visit www.gucci.com

Diemersfontein Pinotage on Tap, South Africa’s most anticipated wine event on the annual calendar is set to take place for the ninth year running on Saturday 12^th October 2013 at Wellington’s Diemersfontein Wine Estate outside Cape Town. Diemersfontein will also bring this event to Johannesburg and Durban, on the 7^th September 2013 and 21^st September 2013 respectively.

Guests attending this year’s ‘Pinotage on Tap’ events can look forward to ‘prepped and primed’ barrels of Pinotage. In Cape Town guests can also enjoy one barrel of Chenin Blanc and one barrel of Shiraz. The official Beer partner for the Diemersfontein Pinotage On Tap festival is the premium, craft slow beer from Darling Brewery. A range of lunch dishes and sweet treats will also be included in the ticket price, as well as some interesting food stalls in a market style environment. Great entertainment is also in store with an exciting musical line-up for the day, including Gangs of Ballet, Newton’s 2nd Law and Natasha Meister.

Mark your calendars, book your tickets, and make sure you’re at one of the Diemersfontein Pinotage on Tap events this year. Tickets will be available through Computicket from 10 June 2013. Numbers are limited so wine enthusiasts are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment! Weekend accommodation specials are also available. Please contact Rene at Diemersfontein on 021 864 5050 or online@diemersfontein.co.za (Bookings will only be open with ticket sales)

This has significant implications for the luxury market and brands that have been heralded as the crème of the crop for centuries. Perhaps you fall into the 24% of respondents that felt luxury brands diversifying into mass-produced products would water down the brands and overtly risk their reputation as industry giants and lifestyle leaders. Let’s put this ideology into practical terms.

H&M retailers (equivalent to an up-market Mr. Price in South Africa) partnered up with some of the greatest fashion designers such as Stella Mccartney and Roberto Cavalli to create exclusive collections for their deep-pocketed consumers; and the collections sold out in a matter of hours. H&M was able to identify the aspirational needs of their current consumers and satisfy those needs by meeting them somewhere in the middle.

Stella Mccartney for H&M

Burberry, the world’s most loved tartan-esque label used the power behind their brand to highlight up and coming British singers and song writers through the use of digital media. The initiative is called Burberry Acoustic using YouTube as their preferred broadcaster. Uniquely Burberry was able to penetrate a market that couldn’t yet afford their products through an affordable brand extension. We think this kind of innovation will pioneer how luxury brands should diversify to penetrate potential consumers and create greater brand stickiness.

Take a look at the raw, unpolished “product” Burberry creates despite their elegant and refined brand image which has, in no way been watered down due to this brand extension.

The key lessons to remember from pioneering luxury brands that have successfully branched out would be to know your future audience. What are the potential consumers of tomorrow interested in today and how are you going to embed your philosophies and values with them?

Quality would be a key consideration not to overlook, price does not always indicate quality and brands that have ventured into uncharted waters have kept their quality control and offering on par with their traditional luxury brand offering. Despite the stature of the brand, consumers expect quality and demand exceptional quality for goods they pay top dollar for.

Think viral; from the many case studies we see, it’s not hard to gauge that online reputation management has become a pivotal contemplation for all luxury brands. Brand extensions that evolve into mainstream consumer brands will no doubt be represented online, so the trick is to be proactive, create, maintain and remain evolutionary in all online activities.

Flora:

The Cruise 2013 Collection sees the application of the House’s historic Flora pattern throughout the Gucci woman’s free-spirited wardrobe. Modernizing the print that was originally created in 1966 for Princess Grace of Monaco are intricate games of overlapping graphics including black and white outlines for an unfinished effect. This contemporary interpretation characterizes a new collection, including some of the House’s most iconic handbags, perfect for a sophisticated retreat.

Today the Flora motif blossoms on natural canvas for a variety of signature handbag styles including the New Jackie and New Bamboo as well as the Boston bag and top-handle tote – with contrasting leather trim. Each piece expresses evokes the eternal allure of the pattern with flowers from all seasons.

SOHO:

Characterized by the embossed interlocking GG emblem, both the new disco bag and the chain styles symbolize the alluring effortlessness of this season’s Gucci woman.

A selection of functional shapes employs luxuriously soft calfskin, exotic python, and ostrich. The array of vivid resort colours includes sunflower, vintage rose, green herb, and sky blue, along with understated tones of maple, cream, and black. A modern object of desire, the disco bag holds a special place within the collection as a new chic statement. Perfect for any occasion from day wear to evening, this small, light accessory features an adjustable strap to wear over the shoulder. The proportions create a minimal, on-the-go style. A signature of the House, the tassel decorates the disco bag for an ultra-feminine touch.

In larger shapes, the glamorous chain styles feature shoulder straps in a light gold finish. Ranging in silhouette from the hobo to the tote, these versatile bags encompass both function and elegance. Clean lines and striking details make each bag perfect to wear all day long.

The Flora and Soho handbags are available exclusively at GUCCI Boutiques in Cape Town and Johannesburg in Southern Africa. For further information please contact their stores on 021-421 8800 (V&A Waterfront, Cape Town) or 011-784 2597 (Nelson Mandela Square, Johannesburg) or visit www.gucci.com

This month, to mark the 6 month date since its launch in November last year, YSWARA is delighted to unveil its Afropolitan lifestyle blog, YSWARA GRIOT.

Griots (gri-o’s) have long been revered in West Africa as the continent’s keepers of time. For thousands of years they have held the memory of Africa and preserved its culture by passing it down through the oral traditions of storytelling and praise-singing.

YSWARA GRIOT is an extension of YSWARA; it creates a lifestyle world around the brand so that every day its consumers are delivered a little piece of Africa and the magic of a truly African, luxury brand.

Although content focuses on all things luxurious and African, it has a global appeal and wide sense of interest – Founder and CEO Swaady Martin-Leke explains that “we have a worldly and soulful approach that encompasses a prevailing monthly theme such as ‘identity’, ‘love’, passions and dreams’, ‘knowledge and learning’ and happiness. Through these themes we will explore meaningful topics under the 4 main categories of style, art and culture, travel and soul. She goes on to say that “many people perceive luxury brands in a materialistic sense, but true luxury brands have deeper meanings and aims; they are vital for culture’s survival and renewal. This philosophy and our core values of passion, authenticity, tradition and ‘an escape to the extraordinary’ will shine through YSWARA GRIOT and inspire our guests to engage with moments in time – a concept we embrace that encompasses Africa’s timeless time”.

Kim Cisak, digital marketing manager and online editor, added that “we want YSWARA GRIOT to be a place of exchange and interaction where we can communicate with our consumers and them with us. This way we can better understand what they want, deliver on their desires and nurture real relationships with them. As much as the blog is about the YSWARA story, it is also about empowering our readers to let us know their feelings and thoughts and share their own stories with us”.

For more information on Yswara Griot, please visit the blog here: http://www.yswara.com/blog/

Spotted at the event were SA celebrities and VIPs such as Natalie Becker, Sonia Bonneventia Booth, Hakeem Kae-Kazim and Bjorn Steinbach among others. Russian band Mumiy Troll and local band Long Time Citizen entertained the diverse crowd of local musicians and artists with an energetic set – all while they enjoyed Belvedere Vodka signature cocktails.

VIVID Luxury supports the inaugural WIE Africa in Cape Town, an organisation which aims to contribute to changing the perceptions of Africa as a whole by showcasing successful African women and innovation. Previous attendees of the glamorous WIE Gala Dinner have been Iman, Donna Karan, Arianna Huffington, Aerin Lauder, Glenda Bailey (editor of Harpers Bazaar) and Tamara Mellon (Jimmy Choo founder).

To join the inaugural WIE Gala Dinner in honor of Graca Machel, tickets can be purchased at: www.wiegala2013.eventbrite.com.