Sandiso Ngubane

Dec 10, 2024 | wantedonline.co.za | Sandiso Ngubane

The state of the world influences colour trends for the year ahead It’s December! That time in South Africa when everyone is ready to kick back, do the bare minimum and enjoy a good time, out in the sun with friends, family and loved ones. But December is also a time that calls for reflection on the year while looking ahead to what comes next. As many of us prepare our mood and vision boards, the Pantone Color Institute is also preparing to announce their colour of the year for 2025.

Dec 3, 2024 | timeslive.co.za | Sandiso Ngubane

03 December 2024 - 13:16 Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package. The Viviers Disclosure collection The world is changing quickly. Geopolitical concerns abound, specially with Donald Trump’s return to the White House in the new year. This is all happening at a time when demand for luxury brands is stalling, as previously reported in this column and elsewhere.

Nov 27, 2024 | timeslive.co.za | Sandiso Ngubane

27 November 2024 - 07:30 Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package. Chinese actress Zhang Jingyi in a Burberry Castleford trench coat, but sales of such expensive items are dwindling. In times of crisis, we tend to “go back to basics”. We lean into nostalgia and simplicity, hoping that it might alleviate some of the burden, or pressure, in the case of luxury brands faced with declining fortunes.

Nov 26, 2024 | wantedonline.co.za | Sandiso Ngubane

In uncertain times, consumers tighten belts, and that much is evident in the current climate. Still, the SA luxury consumer remains resilient, according to a report by retailer Luxity, which notes a growing appetite for luxury in spite of the significant challenges for the luxury sector worldwide. Hard numbers are hard to come by, but Luxity’s report notes “a robust 8% growth in luxury density” in SA’s shopping malls, per the Clur Shopping Centre Index.

Oct 31, 2024 | wantedonline.co.za | Sandiso Ngubane

Historically we’ve had people incorporating outdoor apparel into everyday wear. Hoodies, beanies, puffer jackets and Timberland boots have been a mainstay of the hip-hop aesthetic, for example, but the trend’s current resurgence was definitely buoyed by Covid-19, the aftermath of which precipitated a marked shift in how consumers spent their time and money. As more people sought adventure, pastimes such as hiking and new activities that required being immersed in nature became more fashionable.