Blending it up in pumpkin and pink at the Met
CAPE Town’s scorching heat faced stiff competition from a deluge of sizzling hot celebrities who invaded the Kenilworth racecourse VIP area yesterday for the J&B Met.
This year’s theme was “A Rare Blend”, and TV personality Boity Thulo interpreted it by wearing a long purple dress that showed off her most famous asset — her derrière.
The 25-year-old was rolling solo without rapper boyfriend Cassper Nyovest, but had a helper shuffling and fixing her dress, designed by Quiteria & George.
“The designers chose the colour. It’s one I’ve never worn before but the dress was a collaborative idea as it shows off my best asset. I can’t wear underwear with this dress at all,” said Thulo.
Others dressed by the designer duo included singer Tamara Dey, who arrived with her date for the day, comedian Mongezi “Tol A$$ Mo” Ngcobondwane.
She opted for a pink dress while the comic wore a navy and black suit.
“My wife had a lot to do with my outfit, she’s the stylish one between us,” he said.
Said Dey: “I barely wear pink girlie colours, so I thought I would today to complement the theme.”
Comedian Jason Goliath looked dapper in a grey suit by Louis Joseph with a navy and “pumpkin” tie, and pumpkin sneakers.
“Who have you seen matching grey and pumpkin? This is a rare blend,” said Goliath.
Surfer Roxy Louw arrived in a long peach dress from Queens- park which she said she matched with Robben Island Legacy Collection jewels.
“I’m blending the past — being Robben Island — and the present,” she said.
KFM radio host Liezel van der Westhuizen opted for a kimono from Cape Town designers Ruff Tung, and socialite Jen Su wore a Gert-Johan Coetzee dress in shades of pink.
Installation architects Leg Studios were tasked with playing up contrasts in the design elements.
They worked with a “gentle blend of floral and geometric patterns to allow masculine and feminine form to blend”, said founder Leon Erasmus.
“We softened the mural to create a more ethereal quality. To avoid stark contrast, we played with translucency in the layers, so that a fusion or blend occurs with the pattern. In addition to the floral and geometric patterns, we included a fluid inky pattern, dusty spray and paint splashes,” he said.
About 100 people erected the 20x30m VVIP marquee for one of the biggest events on the Mother City’s social calendar, and 25 000 people attended.
Leigh Sarembock, general manager of Chattels Infrastructure Solutions, said general entry tickets cost R125 and VVIP tickets were more than R4 000.
About 30 Bedouin tents and 67 marquees were set up.
“The event has grown since last year. We’re already showing an increase of 7 000 people,” said Sarembock.
Hans de Villiers of Knights Catering and Events has prepared meals for the VVIPs — 850 this year — for the past 26 years. Special dietary requirements were always challenging, with clients reporting “intense migraines”, penicillin allergies and high blood pressure, he said.
“Myself and my chefs start brainstorming the menu in August. We have tastings and see how we can come up with different flavours and how we can present the food in a unique and stylish way,” said De Villiers.
This year’s menu was influenced by a “blend of cultures”, combining South African and Asian cuisine. All dry stock orders were placed last month and chefs started preparing dishes on Monday.