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All glamorous roads lead to Cape Town on Saturday for prestigious horse-racing event the Sun Met at Kenilworth Racecourse.
After 39 years, J&B pulled out as the event’s main sponsor. Sun International, in partnership with GM Mumm, has taken over the reins.
This year, 21 000 racegoers are expected to attend. The official theme is Decades of Glamour, which incorporates styles from 1920 to the present day.
Designer Malcolm Kluk of fashion label KLûK CGDT – an award-winning partnership between Kluk and Christiaan Gabriël du Toit – says the theme is as much about today’s trends as it is about the past.
“It is an accumulative influence of fashion from history, with a contemporary silhouette.”
TV darling Minnie Dlamini is the Klûk CGDT muse this year. “We have wanted to work together for a while, and this is the perfect opportunity,” she says.
Kluk describes Dlamini as a strong, empowered woman who is classy and elegant, and “just stands out in a crowd”.
Don’t expect fashion fireworks from her, he warns.
“She doesn’t need an outfit that screams, for one thing. For another, we have interpreted this theme for its elegance.
“So many glamorous styles over the past century can be accessed – from the 1920s drop-waist flapper dresses to the 1930s floral tea frocks and the 1940s fitted suits – but only as reference points,” he says, adding that a feather boa is a no-no for a racing event.
Haute couture fashion house Quiteria & George – comprising designer duo Quiteria Kekana and George Malelu – is dressing Mzansi’s A-listers Dineo Moeketsi, Thando Thabethe, Nomuzi Mabena, Boity Thulo, Kefilwe Mabote and Sophie Ndaba.
Kekana explains:
“This is a glamorous event, so we have interpreted the theme as being inspired by 1920s and the carefree Great Gatsby-influenced fashion era. People should look luxurious but not over-the-top.”
Kekana adds that pastels and minimal fabrics are a must. “Given that it is a daytime event, avoid over-layered dresses that are too long as they will drag on the ground.
“Rather go for something flowing and light.”
Designer Olé Ledimo, of fashion label House of Olé, designs tailored garments “with a twist.”
He advises racegoers to dress for their body types and not to be ruled by Instagram.
For him, the theme means taking decades of fashion and reworking it by, for example, adding more colourful buttons or using prints and flower power.
“But the flower lapel must go,” he insists.
“Rather wear must-have items, such as a crisp white shirt and cool shades.”
