The Herald (South Africa)

Unleash your inner fashion monster

● Take some tips as the Big Apple rolls out the seasonal red carpet

- Nombuso Kumalo Picture: RANDY BROOKE

Owning the right pair of sneakers is a commodity.

With its footmarks peeking underneath boardroom tables and lockers of fitness facilities, this stealthy footwear has grossed itself as the quintessen­tial mark of personalit­y and fashion street cred.

Palpating with excitement from one yellow cab to the next, the Big Apple will roll out its seasonal red carpet to New York Fashion Week autumnwint­er 2024 between February 9 and 14.

This season, the juicy city welcomes the return of the idiosyncra­tic creations of Thom Browne after 12 years. Plus an appearance by former Balmain embellishm­ent expert-comedesign­er Ludovic de Saint Sernin.

But on the eve of it all, global sportswear brand Puma has promised to give fashion lovers an extraterre­strial experience.

The celebrant German label is toasting the 25th anniversar­y of its mutant iconic shoe Mostro, by relaunchin­g the “monster” sneaker with a memorable otherworld­ly fashion presentati­on at the iconic Park Avenue Armory.

Inspired by street style and the shoe’s colourways of tycoon gold and electric blues, here is how to unleash your inner monster for a golden 2024:

Metallics and sequins

Channel the colour of currency by incorporat­ing metallics and sequins into your wardrobe.

Colourways such as gold, bronze and silver fabrics ooze an iridescent shimmer in the light which creates an allure and polished impression, without looking cheap.

Oh, did we mention it’s bang on trend? The shiny metallic trench coat trend as seen on the Khaite runway is a sophistica­ted and feminine way to mix in metallics without standing too way out.

Paired with leather gloves and thigh-high boots, and you’re set for any fashionabl­e blizzard.

A column of cobalt blue

Last season, shades of aquamarine­s dominated the runways and award show arrivals.

Even though turquoise, cerulean and aqua were a firm favourite, it was cobalt blue that won the year.

Last season, style variations of the shade emerged, with a favourite being offsetting a taupe look with a pair of cobalt

shoes or a chunky floor-length scarf. The soothing colour can be worn as a column of colour with the pop of a vibrant yellow or metallic shoe or accessory.

Feminine embellishm­ents

Ballroom skirts and straight-cut shirts are a whimsical and flirty way to play up a woman’s femininity.

Appliqué and floral embellishm­ents add that womanly appeal and charm to any ensemble,

better yet if it shimmers — as seen on the Valentino haute couture autumn runway, where a model wore a canary yellow gown with a heavily

embellishe­d aqua cape.

On the streets, clashing colours of royal purple and gold add allure to a daytime look, vamping up the style

Picture: NAOMI RAHIM factor of the paired cardigan.

Clashing accessorie­s

A playful way to introduce colour into your look, apart from vibrant shoes is by colour clashing accessorie­s.

The fashion factor of this trend is best with statement jewellery such as oversized neck chains, miniature handbags, Polaroid sunglasses and caricature earrings.

As seen on the streets, pair a caricature-esque mandarin orange glasses chain with scarlet latex red opera gloves.

Bring on the suiting

Bold and multicolou­red suiting remains the most effective way to get and retain attention and power. At its essence, the power suit’s job is to create shock and intrigue — which it does so brilliantl­y.

On the streets, variations of jewelled tones and vibrant water paint graphics that resemble scenic portraits to fulfil that task effortless­ly.

To keep the look down to earth, add your personalit­y with a pair of bright statement sneakers or flats. —

 ?? ?? ACCESSORY MUST: The soothing colour can be worn as a column of colour with the pop of a vibrant yellow or metallic shoe or accessory
ACCESSORY MUST: The soothing colour can be worn as a column of colour with the pop of a vibrant yellow or metallic shoe or accessory
 ?? Picture: MARC PIASECKI ?? SIMMER AND SHINE: Appliqué and floral embellishm­ents add that womanly appeal and charm to any ensemble, better yet if it shimmers
Picture: MARC PIASECKI SIMMER AND SHINE: Appliqué and floral embellishm­ents add that womanly appeal and charm to any ensemble, better yet if it shimmers
 ?? Picture: DANIELE VENTURELLI ?? VIBRANT LOOK: A playful way to introduce colour into your look, apart from vibrant shoes, is by colour clashing accessorie­s
Picture: DANIELE VENTURELLI VIBRANT LOOK: A playful way to introduce colour into your look, apart from vibrant shoes, is by colour clashing accessorie­s
 ?? Picture: LAURENT VITEUR ?? COLOUR CODED: Channel the colour of currency by incorporat­ing metallics and sequins into your wardrobe
Picture: LAURENT VITEUR COLOUR CODED: Channel the colour of currency by incorporat­ing metallics and sequins into your wardrobe
 ?? Picture: MARC PIASECKI ?? MAKING A STATEMENT: A model wears statement earrings paired with silky honeycomb yellow evening gown
Picture: MARC PIASECKI MAKING A STATEMENT: A model wears statement earrings paired with silky honeycomb yellow evening gown
 ?? ?? POWER PLAY: Bold and multicolou­red suiting remains the most effective way to get and retain attention and power
POWER PLAY: Bold and multicolou­red suiting remains the most effective way to get and retain attention and power

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