Having recovered from my Day 1 at the Mercedes Fashion Week Joburg at Hyde Park Corner’s rooftop the night before, I headed back for Day 2. Luckily for me I made it inside Hyde Park Corner just as the first raindrops splattered on windscreens and on ladies’ weaves. The lobby was jam-packed with people: old men with young, beautiful companions; fashionably flamboyant gay men and self-conscious girls in itsy-bitsy dresses eyeing each other with glowing green eyes. It was fantastic!

The whole centre seemed to be high and buzzing with Tlale-juice. That’s what all these people were here for, right? The countdown began… 3… 2…1…  Lights, a crackle of thunder and the rain showered mercilessly upon the resilient white tent that served as the venue for the Fashion Week.

The organisers of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Joburg were more than prepared. Mercedes Benz-branded umbrellas carried by ushers made sure the guests didn’t get a drop of water on their beloved outfits. I actually found it ridiculous that a lot of these people preferred to wait in a long queue for umbrellas, just to take a few paces – literally three steps in the rain, sheltered under the protection of the Black Umbrella. But who am I to judge?

While waiting like dying sardines in front of the glass lifts at the rooftop – that is how packed it was – I tried to make the most of it by taking random pictures and chatting nonsensically with Innocent, Kasi Times’ Fashion Fella. Trust David Tlale to make us wait! The show was supposed to have started more than twenty minutes before, and getting Mother Nature to play along… good one DT!

David Tlale pics by Amandla Kwinana

I snapped through the David Tlale show, eagerly anticipating a hobo-looking outfit to step out on the runway at any second or a tattered zombie-like model to slither out of the blue. But alas, it was pure beauty! The structured women’s suits in the early eighties style checkered black and white top paired with colourful tights radiated class and sophistication. I clicked and clicked away at my camera, occasionally raising my head for a better look with each gasp that escaped from the audience. David’s collection was a success yet again.

Onto my next show, CSquared. Ja, these guys did things their way. There was a dramatic Revolution-type opening, flags and erect men marching onto the ramp. The show began and all eyes (and cameras of course) were fixed on the runway, eager to take in CSquared’s latest offering. There was a mixed response from the onlookers as the models, in their awkwardly ‘human’ walk, went up and down the runway. I loved how these models were so far from being perfect: yes they were good looking but they really looked like a couple of dudes you’d come across in a shopping mall or at a Mackie Dee’s chowing a burger. That ‘real-ness’, especially the fact that CSquared was unafraid of it, had so much appeal.

CSquared pics by Amandla Kwinana

Halfway through the show I’m sure a number of people had to put on sunglasses; it was glitter galore! Top hats, waist coats and jackets, all colourfully glittered up. Cool on the runway but I’m not sure the trend will be a hit on the streets – well maybe it will, in good measured doses, like a bowtie or hair accessory. Overall, I enjoyed the show and came out with a huge smile on my face and giggles still threatening to pour out of my mouth. The way those models walked, I was really entertained!

Amandla with Felipe Mazibuko

Once outside and waiting for Dax Martin (the show started much quicker now to catch up after the delay before Tlale’s show), I spotted Felipe. I was keen to hear if he was as entertained as I was by the CSquared show. “It was so hilarious I began falling asleep,” he said this with a straight face, followed by a chuckle. Well, I did say there were mixed emotions about the show!

Dax pics by Amandla Kwinana

Dax Martin. Magnum had jumped on this ship for a very good reason, and Dax Martin did not disappoint. We entered the venue feeling giddy (that’s what endless servings of free Magnum ice-cream does to you) and oddly aroused (or was it just me?). The wooden ramp, highly polished and resembling a delectable chocolate and caramel slab, welcomed us in. Once the crowd had settled in as best as one can after so much chocolate, the lights went off, signalling the start of the Dax Martin Chocolatier Collection brought to us by Magnum. As the models stepped onto the runway it was undeniable that Dax Martin was indeed the Chocolatier. Mouths drooled, pupils dilated and I am certain that this time around I was not the only one who was aroused. The lingerie was simple, luxurious and flirtatious; watching the silky fabrics in slow motion as they blew to reveal chocolate smooth skin… And the shudder of the male model’s breasts as they approached… Both men and women melted, my glasses steamed up and my camera died on me. Yes, it was that good; sexually and fashionably satisfying! My Day 2 of the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Joburg ended as such. Satisfied!

- Amandla Kwinana

Follow her on Twitter: @jozichic