- There are many reasons to treat yourself to an impromptu shopping trip - and no reason is also a good reason.
- So, to help you make the trip a little more organised - and up the anticipation - we've pulled together some shopping recommendations based on products and services that are new on the market.
- And now that the cold front is behind us, it might be a good time to order in some goodies or go out and grab one or two pamper spoils to... well, celebrate the good weather.
- Also, you may (read: definitely will) need more than a few rand, but no price tag is too big when your latest spoils come with a drizzle of joy. Right?
SOKO District
Suppose you're looking for a real-life shopping experience. In that case, you're in luck because SOKO District has written its first chapter at Rosebank Mall and will open its doors on 30 July.
At a time when the world is re-setting and actively searching for brands that resonate with the core values of getting back to basics, SOKO District brings together like-minded brands to re-tell the story of retail. A bit of insight: The word "soko" is Swahili for "market". And a market is traditionally driven by the collective art of buying and selling goods in an open space.
So, SOKO District has created a platform that enables purpose-driven brands to make meaningful connections with their customers through a flexible digital leasing platform, without the significant financial commitments in the traditional retail environment.
Image supplied by Angelfish PR and Events
There is an alchemy to this new approach to retail which comes from partnering with like-minded entrepreneurs. It's a deep-rooted desire to encourage customers to experience products first-hand rather than online in a relatable space fostering a sense of community and support for brands.
But it is also about offering new brands which have a lot of potential, a space to grow and breathe which they would not be able to do in a traditional retail setup. So essentially, SOKO District wants to enable retailers because if they succeed in this space, then SOKO District does well too. Some of the brands which will come to life at the very first SOKO District in Rosebank Mall include:
Era by DJ Zinhle - a timeless fashion-accessory brand founded in 2012 by South African House Music DJ, author, and super mom, DJ Zinhle. The brand started out as a timepiece specific brand that has now expanded into a wide range of accessories that embody sophistication and style.
Monochrome Afro Watch combo: R1 425
The Flame sunglasses R599
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The Oliver Vagary collection - also founded in 2012 and built on a mutual love for leather shared by husband and wife, Jean and Charné Abrie - comprises uniquely handcrafted leather products in a classic style with a touch of elegance and sophistication.
Cherry Blossom No.6 bag: R 2 295
Mpahla Sneaker & Apparel is a South African household story told through footwear and apparel. It is a proudly South African unisex, stylish sneaker and apparel brand founded in 2017.
Mphahla unisex sneaker: Selling at R1 095 at the time of publication.
CHANEL
Because beauty is a matter of style, why not glam up with Chanel's Fall-Winter 2021/22 Haute Couture collection.
Image supplied
Treat yourself to shades that are soft and ideal for defining the eyes - taupey beige, pearly bluish grey, satiny lilac, intense plum. Les 4 Ombes -Douceur et Sérénité: R 1 130
Les Beiges healthy glow foundation hydration and longwear: R1 065
Sublimage la Brumeintense revitalising mist: R7 175
Available exclusively at CHANEL Fragrance and Beauty boutiques.
READ MORE: The ultimate luxury beauty destination, ARC, opens its doors in Sandton City
PANDORA
The Pandora Signature collection is sophisticated and iconic jewellery crafted to speak volumes about who you are. These are the designs you deserve as a reminder of what drives you in life. Go for a clean look with one statement piece or layer of jewellery. Mix your metal tones from this versatile collection to define your own signature style.
"Creating something clean that is also recognisable is one of the most difficult things to do in design. The new pieces in this collection capture those two ideas perfectly," say Francesco Terzo and A. Filippo Ficarelli, VP Creative Directors for Pandora.
The minimalist bangles are designed to be worn alone as a statement or stacked differently to let your personality shine through.
Pandora Signature I-D bangle: Silver R1 599, gold R3 999 and Rose Gold R2 999
Sparkling Overlapping Ring silver R1 399, Sparkling Overlapping Ring rose gold R1 599, Crossover Pav Triple Band Ring silver R1 779, Crossover Pav Triple Band Ring rose R1 999, Logo & Hearts Ring rose R1 199, Sparkle & Hearts Ring rose R1 799, Sparkle & Hearts Ring silver R1 399
MUGLER
Angel Nova is the newest star in the Mugler fragrances universe. The brand describes it as a fragrance between pleasure and determination that blossoms, thanks to a supernatural and sensual rose - a fragrance that celebrates daring, creativity and imagination - one of super femininity.
Though I've personally never encountered the scent of "super femininity", based only on brand history, this fragrance is sure to impress you. Also, this is the first Mugler fragrance to be created using upcycling. Every size of Angel Nova is also designed to be refillable.
Angel Nova 100ml - RRSP R2 250, 30ml - R1 230, 50ml - R1 500, Angel Nova 100ml eco refill - RRSP R2 080
Mugler Angel Nova is available at select Foschini, Truworths and Edgars stores.
READ MORE: Kim Kardashian West is closing down KKW Beauty: 'I promise we won’t be gone for too long'
GUCCI BLOSSOM
The first fragrance developed wholly under Alessandro Michele's vision, Gucci Bloom Eau de Parfum, was inspired by the idea of absolute authenticity, the freedom to be who you are.
Blended by Master Perfumer Alberto Morillas with direction from Alessandro Michele, the fragrance unfurls as its name suggests, a thriving garden full of flowers characterised by a trio of Jasmine Bud extract, Tuberose, and Rangoon Creeper.
"Perfume is like a spell, and the women wearing it put a spell on the world. Flowers, in this case, mediate this spell, and Gucci Bloom Profumo di Fiori is a powerful conversation with them. It is intense. It really enters the world of nature. Letting the flowers speak fearlessly was the real challenge when Alberto Morillas and I created this fragrance," says Alessandro.
Gucci Bloom Profumo di Fiori fragrance 30ml - R1 180, 50ml - 1685 and 100ml - R2 275
Retails at Woolworths and Foschini.
VALENTINO BEAUTY
Roma's most emblematic colour alongside red, yellow's story is woven in the very fabric of this city. And today, in Piazza Mignanelli, inside the Roman Couture house of Maison Valentino, Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli applies his colour mastery to reinvent yellow into breath-taking couture for a world that needs to dream.
Valentino Beauty invited two pairs of perfumers to create distinct olfactory stories around a singular and most unexpected note to translate the powerful optimism of yellow in scent.
Born in Roma Yellow Dream For Her Eau de Parfum 100ml - R2 500, 50ml - R1 650, 30ml - R1 300
Born in Roma Yellow Dream For Him Eau de Toilette 100ml - R2 210, 50ml - R1 840
Valentino Born in Yellow Dream will be available nationally from September 2021 at selected Edgars, Foschini & Truworths stores.
ENVIRON
Modern day life can be fast-paced and demanding. Mental, emotional, and physical stress is inevitable and can reveal itself in many ways - the skin being one of them. Environ's new Focus Care Youth+ Seriénce Night Serum was specifically developed to target the adverse long-term effects of stress to uncover serene, luminous and youthful-looking skin.
Focus Care Youth+ Seriénce Night Serum is available in salons: 30ml - R995
READ MORE: Another day, another retail innovation: adidas SA's new Sandton flagship store to open this month
CANTABRIA LABS
Exfoliating can help renew your skin and get rid of unwanted debris. However, a note on exfoliants: if used incorrectly, these can cause sensitised or stinging skin. Thus the use of exfoliants must be done very carefully. As we get older, the enzymes responsible for natural skin desquamation (exfoliation) don't work as well as they used to, so we support and gently encourage skin renewal in this step of the skin care pyramid.
Try the Neoretin Serum Booster Fluid- RRSP R1 138
K-WAY
K-Way is 40-years-old and in celebration of this milestone the brand has launched an exclusive 40 Year Strong limited-edition clothing collection. The new line focuses on how the brand is proudly South African.
K-Way 40YY Women's Azalea Softshell Coat R1 599
K-Way 40YY Women's Swan Down Jacket R1 699
READ MORE: Trends are irrelevant, but why not treat yourself to an investment coat this payday weekend?
SANKOFA BY CHIBUNDU ONUZO
This book by award-winning author Chibundu Onuzo is a funny, gripping, and surprising tale of a mixed-race British woman searching for an African father she never knew. The third novel from Onuzo has already been shortlisted and longlisted for multiple prizes and received massive praise from writers including Helon Habila, William Boyd and Lisa Appignanesi.
Chibundu already has a great profile beyond just the literary world - she writes for the Guardian, has appeared on TV and radio, including BBC Radio 3's Private Passions, and her autobiographical show 1991, featuring narrative, music, song and dance, premiered to a sold-out audience at the London Literature Festival at the Southbank Centre in 2018.
R335 - available at all good book stores, and on Loot.
Don't forget to raise a glass after a day of retail therapy in celebration of great weather, all things and no things! Why? You may ask. Because any day is always a good day for some gratitude and self-care.
What's your favourite item on the list? Do you have other shopping recommendations? Tell us here.
* Prices were correct at the time of publication, however they may have changed at the time of reading.
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