Winners at the 81st Golden Globe Awards

Jan 9, 2024 | News

On Sunday 7th January 2024, the 81st Golden Globe Awards took place to honour achievements in both television and motion picture production. The awards are unique in that they celebrate excellence in both mediums of television and film; with a focus recognizing exceptional performances, directing, writing, and production. 

Reflecting on the releases of 2023, it was expected that Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer would be particularly favoured; the three-hour motion picture won five awards in total, with our favourite Irish king Cillian Murphy cinching best actor for his portrayal of the ‘father of the atom bomb’, J. Robert Oppenheimer. Then, Greta Gerwig’s Barbie also took home some awards; for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement and Best Original Song, “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish and Finneas. 

This year, history was made for indigenous representation; as Lily Gladstone became the first Native American woman and two-spirit (gender non-conforming) actor to win Best Actress in a motion picture; for their portrayal in Martin Scorcese’s Killers of the Flower Moon; telling the story of the murders of the Osage people in Oklahoma and the intersecting formation of the FBI. Lily opened (who uses her/they pronouns) her speech in Siksiká, the language of the Blackfeet nation they belong to – a profound moment in a landscape that has been unable to prioritise Native American storytelling in previous years.

Lily Gladstone accepting their award, courtesy of @cbstv IG

Margot Robbie photographed by Virisa Yong, courtesy of @goldenglobes IG
Timothée Chalamet photographed by Benjamin Askinas, courtesy of @goldenglobes IG

Jeremy Allen White, courtesy of @goldenglobe IG
Ayo Edebiri photographed by Benjamin Askinas, courtesy of @goldenglobes IG

As for television series, best believe that acclaimed financial family-drama ‘Succession’ received recognition following the premier of its final episode in May 2023. Other notable wins include ‘Beef’ – with the dark-comedy, limited series being the first show made by and starring Asian Americans to win, with Ali Wong and Steve Yeun winning respectively. Lastly, new kids on the block ‘The Bear’ also swept the show, with Ayo Edebiri winning Best Actress in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy and Jeremy Allen White winning Best Actor in the same category. 

The dual focus of the Golden Globe’s reflects the evolving landscape of entertainment, as the television series format has advanced in the last two decades to artistically compete at the level of film. More than most other awards, the Golden Globes is said to influence public opinion and shape the trajectory of the entertainment industry.

Winners List: 

Best Motion Picture, Drama
“Oppenheimer” (Universal Pictures) (WINNER)

Best Picture, Musical or Comedy
“Poor Things” (Searchlight Pictures) (WINNER)

Best Director, Motion Picture
Christopher Nolan — “Oppenheimer” (WINNER)

Best Screenplay, Motion Picture
“Anatomy of a Fall” — Justine Triet, Arthur Harari (WINNER)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama
Cillian Murphy — “Oppenheimer” (WINNER)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama 
Lily Gladstone — “Killers of the Flower Moon” (WINNER)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
Emma Stone – “Poor Things” (WINNER)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
Paul Giamatti — “The Holdovers” (WINNER)

Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture 
Robert Downey Jr. — “Oppenheimer” (WINNER)

Best Supporting Actress, Motion Picture 
Da’Vine Joy Randolph — “The Holdovers” (WINNER)

Best Television Series, Drama 
“Succession” (HBO) (WINNER)

Best Television Series, Musical or Comedy 
“The Bear” (FX) (WINNER)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series, Drama 
Kieran Culkin — “Succession” (WINNER)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series, Drama 
Sarah Snook — “Succession” (WINNER)

Best Actress in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy 
Ayo Edebiri — “The Bear” (WINNER)

Best Actor in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy 
Jeremy Allen White — “The Bear” (WINNER)

Best Supporting Actor, Television
Matthew Macfadyen — “Succession” (WINNER)

Best Supporting Actress, Television 
Elizabeth Debicki — “The Crown” (WINNER)

Best Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television 
“Beef” (WINNER)

Best Performance by an Actor, Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television 

Steven Yeun — “Beef” (WINNER)

Best Performance by an Actress, Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television 
Ali Wong — “Beef” (WINNER)

Best Original Score, Motion Picture 
Ludwig Göransson — “Oppenheimer” (WINNER)

Best Picture, Non-English Language 
“Anatomy of a Fall” (Neon) — France (WINNER)

Best Original Song, Motion Picture 
“Barbie” — “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish and Finneas (WINNER)

Best Motion Picture, Animated 
“The Boy and the Heron” (GKids) (WINNER)

Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy or Television
Ricky Gervais — “Ricky Gervais: Armageddon” (WINNER)

Cinematic and Box Office Achievement
“Barbie” (Warner Bros.) (WINNER)

For more news, visit the Connect Everything Collective homepage www.ceconline.co.za

An Astrological Glimpse at 2024 – ‘Less Triggers, More Glimmers’

Jan 9, 2024 | Lifestyle, Community

When a New Year begins with a Virgo Moon and Mercury going direct, it can be tempting to pull out that long list of never-ending goals and get stuck in, because let’s be honest, Capricorn Season loves a goal. My suggestion, though, is to just take a pause and make sure you’ve blown away last year’s cobwebs before thinking about the year ahead. 2023 ended on a pretty heavy note for a lot of people, with waves of fatigue and intensity – so give yourself some time to just be (if that’s what you need). In the astro world, the New Year technically only begins with Aries Season on March 20th anyway, so enjoy this lingering pause…

In fact, why can’t this whole year be a bit of a pause? 2024 is an “8” year which, being ruled by Saturn, is all about karma and a sense of abundant wholeness. What goes around, comes around – and all that jazz. Don’t be fooled though, even though it’s a Saturn year, it’s not about more work, more hustle, more more more. This year, less is more. What if your main goal this year was to just come home to yourself? To focus on kindness, compassion and creativity as a form of “religion” or practice? Well, you bet the planets are going to consistently nudge us in that direction this year.

If last year was about taking leaps and getting comfortable with saying no, then this year sees this theme continue, but in a way that feels softer and more approachable. Those boundaries are planted firmly now, and if they’re not, you’ve still got time to do the work. Saturn will keep moving through Pisces until early 2026, so let yourself get lost in your imagination a bit. Create for creation’s sake. Make art, tell stories around the braai, play music and don’t worry about monetising from it. Just unleash that creative soul hiding within. You know the one I mean – that little voice that keeps urging you to let yourself play.

‘STARS’ photographed by Shauna Summers, courtesy of DTS

Of all the years to explore, experiment and express yourself, this is the one! First up is Pluto guiding the way.  On January 21st, Pluto is plunging into Aquarius until 2043 -with a brief tease back into Capricorn during its Retrograde Season from September 2nd until November 19th. Pluto is no joke and that brief hiatus will ensure all the old out-dated structures and systems are left behind before we move forward with a clean slate, once and for all. 

The Lunar Nodes are still moving through Aries and Libra and so that push and pull of walking your own path but making sure it meets up with others along the way, will remain centre-stage. On March 25th we have the Libra Lunar Eclipse and this one is going to be like a little tap on the shoulder, reminding us to scale back on commitments that don’t fit with how we want to move through the year. We’re not here to do it all alone, we’re here to share the load, to process everything happening in the world together and, damn do we need some collective healing ‘round about now. During this first Eclipse, both Venus and Mars will be in Pisces, so compassion will hopefully start to flow out. Kindness is medicine for all. Next up is the Aries Solar Eclipse on April 8th where little doors might start to open, leading us down paths of courage with like-minded souls dotted along the way. 

Speaking of courage, on April 21st we have the much-talked about Jupiter – Uranus conjunction. That’s right, the planet of expansion and the planet of surprise are going to be snuggling up to usher in whatever changes we need. This only happens once every 14 years, and with it being in Taurus, we’re looking at big shifts in the foundations of society. Political breakthroughs, radical social change, financial leaps…good timing, right? The world needs it. On a personal note, wherever you have Taurus in your natal chart will get a shake up too. Perhaps that’s a career change, or maybe the end of a toxic relationship. It might not be comfy, but removing stagnant energy never is – oh man, will it feel good afterwards!

The Zodiac photographed by Jakub Pabis, courtesy of Pexels

This is just in time, because on May 26th, Jupiter shimmies over to Gemini, and that marks the start of a lightness entering our year. Gemini is an Air sign and is mutable energy (flexible and flowing), so those claws that might have got stubbornly stuck with all of last year’s Earth energy, are about to be peeled away and encouraged to take flight in new directions. Until June 2025, Jupiter will be reminding us to broaden our horizons, to use our voices to help drive real change, to exchange ideas and to come back to communication as an art form. Ghosting is out this year and so is small talk; the stars are encouraging us to come back to real honest conversations – DMC’s (deep, meaningful conversations), if you will. Storytelling that takes time, not a mere status update. This is what will help make our year feel more abundant in true ‘8 year’ form as we’re all about that real-life connection this year as we cut through the superficiality. 

Open-mindedness and positivity will also take us far in 2024. Look at what you’re consuming on the daily and change it up – as you try to avoid getting roped into the neverending doom-scroll. Jupiter in Gemini wants you to send a postcard when you travel this year. Even a letter to your lover. Let’s go old-school and romanticise life a bit and rediscover passions from your childhood and share them with others. Join a club and embrace that sense of community. Boozy book club, anyone? 

Then, come September 18th, when we have our first Pisces Eclipse, giving us a glance at what’s to come when the Nodes move into Virgo and Pisces in 2025. It’s a Lunar Eclipse, so don’t hold back on sharing your creations from the year. On October 2nd, we’ll have our final Libra Solar Eclipse, so it’s a perfect moment to reflect on all the work you’ve done on letting go of people-pleasing and not feeling guilty for chasing the glimmers and rejecting the triggers. Also, this year continues to focus on prioritising your emotions and taking care of yourself. Lest you forget.

This wouldn’t be an accurate guide to the astro of the year without mentioning the pesky Retrogrades, right? The chatty planet Mercury will be causing mischief three times this year, and unlike last year where she retrograded in Earth signs, this year she’ll be setting things alight in the Fire signs. Firstly from April 2nd to 25th in Aries – so watch your words during this time – secondly from August 5th to 28th in Leo. Eek, everyone is going to be easily offended. Finally, from November 26th until December 15th in Sagittarius, so double check those December vacay plans don’t go astray.

Astrology spread by Ekaterina Bolovtsova courtesy of Pexels

Lunar Cycle by Farzad Mohsenvand, courtesy of Unsplash

To end the year, just for fun, Mars is going Retrograde which only happens once every two years. From December 7th until February 24th the planet of action is going to have us slowing right down, first in the sign of Leo before moving back into Cancer, which isn’t such a bad thing actually. Like we said, this year is about coming home to what really matters, so spending the festive season with your family or chosen family, sounds like the perfect way to wrap up the year to avoid burnout and to slowly ease into the following year.

And so we come full circle, just like an ‘8 year’ loves to do. Find the synchronicities this year, spread compassion and let those airy winds of change help you transition to where you know you’re supposed to go. Less triggers and more glimmers. Here’s to 2024, where less is most definitely more.

Siohban Lumsden is an Intuitive Astrologer, explore her website here and follow her IG here.

Written by: Siobhan Lumsden

For more news, visit the Connect Everything Collective homepage www.ceconline.co.za

ASA SADAN Presents its Resort ‘24 Collection in collaboration with XZAVIER ZULU

Dec 15, 2023 | News, Fashion

ASA SADAN reveals its inaugural collaboration with none other than Xzavier Zulu, a creative consultant, art director and fashion designer who explores aspects of culture, fashion and music with established and emerging brands, platforms and communities to exchange practices, learnings and insights to sustain the developing dialogue on sustainability. He is also a conceptual and creative brand based in a global community led with the nuances of South African culture. 

ASA SADAN is a heritage, luxury apparel brand based in, and operating out of Cape Town, South Africa. The brand references themes and motifs from South Africa’s rich cultural and political history, shedding light on the contributions of various ethnic groups and organisations in the struggle for freedom and liberation. The brand also serves as a medium through which the historical ancestral narrative and lived experience of the African-Asian diaspora may be told. Named after Mohamed’s grandmother, the name ‘ASA’ (pronounced ‘ay’ – ‘sah’) is a Malaysian/Indonesian adaptation of the Persian name of the same spelling (pronounced ‘ah’-‘sah’), with a multitude of meanings including: ‘beautification’, ‘adornment’, ‘might’, ‘power’ and ‘capability’.“ 

“The aim was to collaborate with someone perhaps unexpected at face value, yet truly aligns with the brand manifesto. Xzavier’s utilitarian approach to design complements the ASA SADAN design positioning at the intersection of form and function. The brand opened up its archive of silhouettes, which were redefined through the collaborative effort utilising ASA SADAN’s library of technical fabrics, with details incorporated through the lens Xzavier Zulu’s upcycling and customisation approach.” says Imran Mohamed, the Founder and Creative Director at ASA SADAN.

Taking everyday experiences informed Xzavier Zulu on how to approach and edit silhouettes within ASA SADAN’s archive, utilising the existing textiles library within the house, introducing unique details, resulting in the collaborative designs reflected within the Resort offering. 

“Sizing was a huge factor for me when I thought about this collection. ASA SADAN was the first local brand that didn’t have to size me at a XXXL to make me feel comfortable in their clothes. I felt seen.” says Xzavier. “I wanted to highlight that, firstly. Secondly, coming from my time in Europe, I wanted to have the collection reflect my travelling woes – having clothes that could wash and dry within an hour, for example, was a big part of that process. The fabrication led to a nylon-based range, which is perfect for the summer-time. This is something for everyone,” Xzavier reveals more behind the inspiration.

With both brands having experience in creating moments between lifestyle and sustainability, “We wanted to create a Resort Capsule, as a perfect embodiment of the Cape Town summer time. An offering that allows for the creation of looks that move seamlessly between beach life during the day, to dinners on a warm summer’s evening.” says Imran Mohamed. 

The capsule is available exclusively through AKJP, Cape Town

Campaign Credits:
Creative Direction: Imran Mohamed @i__h__m and Xzavier Kunene @xzavierzulu 
Photography: Larnelle Bakala @lordnelle 
Videography: Larnelle Bakala @lordnelle and Vahid Davids @vahiddavids Editing & Color Grading: Sulaiman Peck 
Stylist: Imran Mohamed @i__h__m and Xzavier Kunene @xzavierzulu 
Art Direction: Xzavier Kunene @xzavierzulu 
Photography (Collection): Byron Geduld @byrongeduld 
Model: Amy Florence @amyflorencex and Zandi Pretorius @zandi_pretorius 
Copywriter: Lelo Meslani @lelowhatsgood

Written by: Holly Beaton

For more news, visit the Connect Everything Collective homepage www.ceconline.co.za

‘From Street To Skate, Tennis To The Tate’ – Introducing ‘Found’, The Brand Reinvigorating Golf Apparel

Dec 15, 2023 | Lifestyle, Fashion

A brand that blurs the boundaries between street fashion and golf wear? Found is here and it’s everything you could hope for when it comes to inclusive fashion on the golf course.  Established in 2023, Found is a South African born, international golf apparel brand that reflects a collection whereby women, men, and non gender conforming people of all ages will feel comfortable and look great whether on, or off the course. 

On 13 December 2023, Found introduced their much anticipated inaugural range of golf clothing and street apparel. The collection reflects the brands commitment to build an inclusive golf culture whilst supporting sustainable manufacturing and economic empowerment. The garments are designed to appeal to classic old timers, those new to the game, or those who hardly play at all. 

Their premier collection is titled ‘Golf Cart, Yet Street Smart.’ and is showcased in their debut campaign shot by Kent Andreasen and styled by Courtney Eley, as they present to us, garments that “transcend the green”.

FOUND Campaign, Cr. Kent Andreasen

In the words of co-founder Lance Peach “Found is for everyone. Every type of alt culture acolyte who has discovered the joys of an ancient game but needs it to reflect the way they show up. We are leading a revolution against golfwear that is curiously stuck in a cul-de-sac of tastelessness and blandness.” 

The brand’s design is focused around clothing that allows you to comfortably belong on a golf course without closeting your authentic self. The garments are intentionally created to blur gender binaries and are intended for both playing golf or participating in any other pastime. Think “From Street to Skate, Tennis to the Tate” 

“Found is inspired by streetwear as much as by the salubrious surrounds of golf course havens, so that you will look at home whether sitting at the pub or driving off the 1st. The better you look, the better you feel, the better you play  (that’s the theory anyway, the game will do with you what it wants).” says Lance. 

The garments are exclusively manufactured in Cape Town, South Africa. Co- founders Ellen Keillar and Lance Peach have lived and worked in Cape Town for a combined 20 years. Through Found, they are bringing their knowledge and expertise of South African manufacturing to an international market. Found has partnered with local artisans to produce limited run collections that champion craftsmanship and support economic empowerment.

Their first collection includes a reinterpretation of the classic golf polo, baggy trousers, oversized knits, t-shirts, boxy sweaters, shorts & skorts, a boiler suit and more. The clothes are intended to be loose fitting and  designed with adjustable detailing so you can wear them the way you choose. Found produces golf clothing with a particular focus on non-gendered garments and women’s styles, moving away from the traditional short skirts and tight trousers. Inspired by surf and skate culture brands where garments have their origin in the sport but are suitable for everyday use, they believe that clothes should be worn and seen. Found garments are intended as much for the course as they are for the street.

FOUND Campaign, Cr. Kent Andreasen

Shop Found Golf HERE
Follow Found HERE 

Campaign Credits:
Photographer: Kent Andreasen 
Stylist: Courtney Eley 
Models: Donny Truter, Zeeka Sellidon, Elie Bisimwa, Andile Dlamini 

For more news, visit the Connect Everything Collective homepage www.ceconline.co.za

Bongeziwe Mabandla & Ntokzin release soulful Amapiano remix of hit single ‘Sisahleleleni’

Dec 15, 2023 | New Release, Music

South African multi-award winning singer and songwriter Bongeziwe Mabandla has released a soulful Amapiano remix of his hit single ‘Sisahleleleni’ from his highly successful album amaXesha, released earlier in the year. The single has now been reimagined by South African Amapiano producer and DJ Ntokzin, securing the #1 position on Apple Music’s Amapiano Lifestyle playlist.

‘Sisahleleleni’ was first premiered on A Colors Show earlier this year, with the video having garnered over 200 000 views since release. Bongeziwe became the fourth South African artist ever to perform on the celebrated music platform.

Following the single’s release was his highly anticipated album amaXesha, which became The Guardian’s Global Album of the Month, and an exclusive interview and editorial shoot with the coveted Nataal magazine, who showed deep fascination to his sound, saying, “There’s always something new about the Bongeziwe Mabandla experience. In this album, he opens with a storm before the first track ‘Sisahleleni (ii)’, an upbeat introduction driven by a powerful voice and choral background – it’s a striking sound of things to comeAfter selling out international tours across Europe, the UK, and most recently eight in South Africa, his talent and demand is unmatched.”

sisahleleleni, ntokzin remix

Bongeziwe Mabandla

On his recent South Africa tour, legacy South African newspaper The Daily Maverick described his stage presence brilliantly, “His connection with the audience is visceral, the captivation experienced by the crowd a simple, thrilling product of the musical captivation of the performer on stage.” Now breathing new life to one of his most successful global anthems, prepare to indulge in a vessel of warm melodies and beats, masterfully transforming a melancholic emotion into the healing properties of the dancefloor.

“When I wrote this song I was going through a lot of changes and I was excited about the future,” says Bongeziwe, “This song is about finally following your calling and path. I realised that I had imprisoned myself in many ways and this song was about getting free. In essence it’s a song that asks ‘Why are we still here if we are no longer happy? What is it that keeps us here?’”

“Teaming up with Ntokzin on the album’s most recognisable songs was a suggestion from the label Platoon,” adds Bongeziwe, “we had an instant connection and I think we share a mutual respect for each other’s work. This remix really captures the kind of song that I have been wanting to do for such a long time. What I love about it is that it has all the elements of a soulful song and also the dance Amapiano sound.”

Listen to the ‘sisahleleleni’ remix by Ntokzin HERE

Connect with Bongeziwe Mabandla and Ntokzin:
Facebook: @BongeziweMabandlaOfficial / Ntokzin ((Ntokozo Rarane)
Twitter/X: @Bongeziwe / @RealNtokzinTwitter
Instagram: @BongeziweMabandla /@realNtokzinDj
TikTok: @RealNtokzin

 

Press release courtesy of Sheila Afari PR

Peacey releases latest single ‘Culture Bandit’ feat. Vanessa Hidary

Dec 15, 2023 | New Release, Music

This brilliant second single, titled ‘Culture Bandit’, is taken from Peacey’s forthcoming album ‘Play It By Ear’. Featuring Vanessa Hidary’s masterful and sometimes manic spoken word performance, the track is complemented by live percussion that drives the mood of ‘Culture Bandit’. 

Remix detail was taken up by two men that have had a huge influence towards Peacey’s production work, Osunlade & Atjazz, who by now, deliver bombs time after time with their depth of knowledge and historical output.

Stream ‘Culture Bandit’ HERE 

Press release courtesy of Only Good Stuff

Gorilla Aktiv release a vinyl version of their synth-wave album ‘Umsonst Ohne Risiko’

Dec 15, 2023 | New Release, Music

Gorilla is a mixture of synth-wave, punk, NDW, new wave from 1981/82, digitally available for the first time, and created by Gorilla Aktiv crew composed of Nick Deinhardt, Tommi Eckart and Ian Moorse.

Nick and Tommi founded GORILLA AKTIV, published fanzines (va bene), organized illegal concerts (Die Nacht der fliegenden Reisekoffer) and performed in galleries, with Ian Moorse joining them for concerts in the Alabama Halle (Munich), Holland and Denmark followed. Each time they wanted to surprise the audience with the unheard and unseen: such as their gig in Munich in the legendary New Wave disco Tanzlokal Größenwahn, they played on a rowing boat equipped with contact microphones. To complete the optical illusion, they took to the stage not only in raincoats but also doused in water to look like sailors who had come straight from the sea.

They released a C-10 and a C-20 cassette “The Other Side”. Tapes were a conscious decision to remain independent of record companies. They released the track “Kopf und Bauch” on a SPEX compilation. Re-releases of the recordings on vinyl 7″ and 12″ followed in 2005 and 2018 on Was Soll Das? Platten – the basis for the current digital release. They later played in bands such as A.K. Klosowski and 2raumwohnung. Incidentally, Ian Moorse was also an editor at Elaste magazine from 1983.

Stream ‘Umsonst Ohne Risiko’ HERE

About ELASTE Records
Elaste Records is dedicated to the sound of the early 80s: New Wave, Elektrokraut, Punk, Proto-Disco, Industrial, Reggae, Coldwave. Elaste is a cult magazine that was founded and published from 1980 to 1985 in 15 large-format issues by Thomas Elsner (graphic design, photography), Michael Reinboth (text, music) and Christian Wegner (photography).

Thomas Elsner and Michael Reinboth (today, among other things, owners of Compost Records) have teamed up again out of love, profession and passion to revive this time and make it tangible. 

 

Press release courtesy of Compost Records and Elaste Records

The Art of Creative Collaboration with Canvas Studios

Dec 14, 2023 | Lifestyle, Fashion

The launch of Canvas Studios by Bash – TFG’s fashion and lifestyle platform – marks a feat for thoughtfully designed, local fashion in South Africa. Building brands that stand the test of a curious and creative customer-base is so critical and with an approach centred around the innate creative expression in our personal wardrobes; Canvas Studios is encouraging women to express their original essence through fashion.

Designed by David West and his team, the label merges clean lines and a minimalist sensibility – focused on silhouettes and considered cuts – together with prints and bold colours; this approach sees the softness of womenswear made versatile, timeless and adaptable for all seasons, occasions and practices. Having launched a series, profiling two immense artistic forces in – Amy Ayanda and Masego Morgan – the Canvas Studios campaign is an incredible accomplishment in the art of creative collaboration between the brand, the campaign team and the creatives themselves through a local lens. In two intimate portrayals of Amy and Masego in their own respective spaces, the campaign centred around their practices as creative beings as #CanvasGirls, in the form of ‘edits’ – curated pieces from the collection that reference their personal styles.

Canvas Studios is designed with creatively-expressive women in mind; those who will draw out their own originality with whatever they wear. With the first collection launch, Canvas Studios’ designer, David West, explains that, “when we design we always ask ourselves questions like, ‘how easy is this to wear?’, ‘how does it make you feel’ or ‘is it comfortable’ – because we want our customers’ personalities to shine through the pieces and not let the clothes wear them. Comfort is so important to us, so we tend to strip the pieces down to their simplest form and allow the bold prints to do a lot of the work when it comes to adding design elements.” From a multitude of co-ord sets in linen and prints, to broad-strap dresses, shirt dresses, shorts, accessories and more; the collection blends statement pieces with essentials, motivated by the mentality of ‘mix ‘n match’ across multiple garments.

Amy Ayanda

Masego Morgan

The campaign itself composed together two creative women, distinct from each other yet aligned in their respective approaches towards colour and ingenuity in their expression. Amy Ayanda is an artist and musician for whom textured colour, transient motifs and metaphor inform her work. Describing her practice, Amy explains that “in my final year at Michaelis, I developed my artistic process using dried flowers, layering acrylics and oils. Initially I thought I would focus on oils, but the birth of my daughter redirected me to watercolours and abstract line-work. This shift birthed a distinctive style that defines my current practice. My work has evolved to be more figurative lately – as I’m aiming to explore new and deeper motifs.” In terms of Amy’s thematic and referential concerns, she explains that “my art revolves around personal narratives, delving into loss and land politics in South Africa, resonating with themes of longing, belonging, love, and loss. The metaphor of a flower remains a powerful metaphor in art, and I’m very grateful to have maintained a disciplined, ritualistic practice, with a curiosity to learn and explore as foundational to my art.”

Sustainable ‘hunny’ and stylist Masego Morgan, has been a champion of local design for a long time, feeling that a localised textile and fashion industry is necessary for a more sustainable future in South Africa. Masego’s soft approach to sustainability is about finding balance, particularly with her focus on regenerative, handcrafting and re-using practices are part of her expression, a refreshing viewpoint for someone in the fashion industry to embody. The terms ‘activist’ and ‘advocate’ hold and require context and expectation, whereas Masego’s expression is ultimately invested in inspiring change in people around her, to see sustainability as ways of living that are beautiful, practical and achievable. As she says, “it’s not about being 100% sustainable, it’s about doing what we can and doing it in a way that is sustainable to us. Striving for a sustainable way of living centres around the concepts of ‘ubuntu’ or ‘ukama’, our interconnectedness with each other, the planet and the future generations to come.”

Shot by photographer Aart Verrips and styled by Kristi Vlok, the creative team behind the Canvas Studio launch ventured to Amy’s studio and Masego’s home, shooting them in the familiarity of their spaces. As the team explains, “each artist brought their individual perspective and artistic vision to the project, which was inspiring. Amy’s studio was incredible to see first hand. It provided a behind-the-scenes look at her creative space and allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of how she produces her artworks. Masego’s home in Southern Peninsula, nestled among picturesque mountains, provided a breathtaking backdrop that enhanced the overall creative experience. Masego’s unique style, with her skillful use of colour and print, added a vibrant and captivating dimension to the project.” 

As Amy says, feeling aligned to the project was rooted in the interconnectedness of Cape Town’s creative community, saying “knowing who was on the team, I trusted that it was a really well thought out collaboration on their side already. I absolutely loved the pieces and Kristi did such an amazing job selecting from the collection what would be true to my personal style. I’ve known Kristi and Gabby for a very long time – we used to waitress together many years ago – and in a way, they’ve watched me grow up, so that was really beautiful to have them in my space and for Gabby to be curating the flowers while Kristi styled just felt super aligned and full circle.”

The team explains that, “the most interesting and exciting part about working on the campaign was really delving into the psychology and experience of the women who would be wearing Canvas Studios. As a creative team, we had to consider how to speak to her and visually communicate and educate her about the product given the newness of the brand.” Noting that part of their process involved finding ways to centre these women and their stories, as a core value of the brand is ‘lived expression’, the team expressed that absolutely everything was workshopped, with deep consideration across colours and language. 

This campaign was shaped by the borrowing and sharing of ideas across the entire process – truly, the art of creative collaboration – as the team says, “we worked closely with the designers and strategists on launching this brand and it was an absolute honour and a huge collaboration. Having everyone in the room with us gave us a better understanding of the thinking behind who they wanted to make this brand for. The result was a cohesive visual language across various channels. Bringing this brand to life was a massive collaboration between designers, copy and strategy and David and his team. It gave us room to give our customers the best shopping experience, surfacing what we know they love and meeting them exactly where they are.”

Launching a new brand with an identified philosophy and clear customer in mind, speaks to Bash’s commitment to collaborative and creative-led thinking. Through the vehicle of Canvas Studios, this commitment is integrated into the Bash offering as a local retailer focused on enhancing the local landscape; of customers and creatives alike. We absolutely love to see it.

Shop Amy Ayanda’s Edit HERE 
Shop Masego Morgan’s Edit HERE
Shop the full Canvas Studios collection HERE

Written by: Holly Beaton

For more news, visit the Connect Everything Collective homepage www.ceconline.co.za

One Park’s Latest Offering – ‘Jazz Pony’ Food And Wine Bar

Dec 13, 2023 | News, Community

Situated in the heart of Cape Town’s CBD, Jazz Pony is a natural and low intervention wine bar. As part of  One Park’s latest offering, sharing the iconic, multistoried creative destination with the  Listening Bar  and their iconic record store, The Other Records, the ethos for everyone involved is centred around collaboration. 

One Park co-founder Matt Hichens says, “collaboration is key in creating community and that allows us to continuously grow. Collaboration keeps our space fresh and exciting and allows us to push boundaries.” This notion of collaboration is central to Jazz Pony’s vision – spearheaded by Max King of Hokey Poke and Eyeball Studio, the food and wine bar will serve as an experimental, testing ground for creators to focus on taste as a sensory medium. 

Weekly, Jazz Pony invites local winemakers to pour and showcase their wines. On their opening night, they hosted Mphumi Ndlangisa from Magna Carta Wines. Mphumi poured his latest vintages: Pinot Noir MCC, Orange Muscat, Orange Colombard, Syrah and Orange Chenin. His edgy, vibrant and small batch natural wines showcase the unrivalled natural wine scene in South Africa. Following Magna Carta, Megan van der Merwe from Beau Constantia showcased pre-released blends and wines. Megan describes her love for natural wines as “If made with a fingerprint-, and not a footprint philosophy, a wine will have a characteristic taste and flavour profile imparted to it by the environment that the fruit grows in. For that reason, I believe in interfering as little as possible in the process taking place from vine to wine, a natural journey that absolutely fascinates me..” The wines that Megan showcased, highlight this process of ‘low intervention’ wine-making as a core tenet of the wine philosophy at Jazz Pony. 

For the menu, Jazz Pony’s curated snacks are thoughtfully and playfully designed to accompany the wine offering. In the style of ‘Afro-Asian diner eating’ Max King explains that, “an Asian pulse through the food brings in a certain practice and precision juxtaposed with the unknown which is my style. Then you mix all of the above together under the alias diner and you get to be bold, brash and ballsy. It just felt right and representative of One Park and its newly born Jazz Pony”. With four bigger snack plates and a variation of sides – the snacks are loud with flavour. Expect fried chicken burgers (or swap with cauliflower) or crispy chicken with house pickles and Max’s famous naughty sauce, paired deliciously with the freshness of Genevieve’s Blanc de Blanc MCC – as an example of the offering. Another special mention has to be the marinated soy quail eggs; a gooey, salty and slightly spicy bite. 

In addition, Jazz Pony will be hosting kitchen takeovers in the new year – which is set to be a regular expression of the space’s collaborative focus, with Matt echoing that, “Jazz Pony brings a fresh and exciting food and wine energy into the building. It ties the upstairs and downstairs together through music and now taste, adding another dimension of exploration through the space and senses.”

Guests are encouraged to head upstairs after their experience at Jazz Pony, to One Park’s Listening Bar or shop the latest vinyl releases at The Other Records.

One Park is open from Wednesday to Saturdays 6PM – Late. 

No reservations. 

Follow One Park HERE
Follow Jazz Pony HERE 
Follow The Other Records HERE 

Written by: Holly Beaton

For more news, visit the Connect Everything Collective homepage www.ceconline.co.za

Safe Sex is Sexy – A Guide to Sexual Wellness this Festive Szn

Dec 12, 2023 | Lifestyle

Well, it’s that time of the year again. Dezemba has reared its head, and a terrific – if not often tumultuous – year is drawing to an end. Dezemba, in my experience, often brings with it debauchery as sun-kissed skin turns to skin kissed by someone’s son after one too many glasses of prosecco. The insular everyone-knows-everyone Cape Town scene becomes harder and harder to navigate as wires of hookups and hangouts get tangled. Kloof Street sounds unfamiliar, with a smattering of European accents everywhere, and this never-ending Joburg heatwave means we’re all half-naked anyway, so we might as well take off all our clothes (shoutout Nelly). But between sweat, sun, shots of tequila, and endlessly swiping on Swedish 10s on Tinder, I want to finish off the year’s Navigating Realities segment on a somewhat serious note. Today, I want us all to talk and actively engage with our sexual health and safe sex practices. 

Now, many of you might be asking, well, why? The thing is, if you have multiple sexual partners, it is not only in your own self-interest but, the bare minimum you can do for your sexual partners. It’s here that I want to drive a stake into the stigma. STI’s do not see race or class or consider social standing. Too often have I heard or have had people try to convince me that they couldn’t possibly have been exposed to an STI purely based on their perception of the company they keep. Let’s just say, based on my own experiences, too many of us are far too lax with engaging in or suggesting unprotected sex with people we don’t know all that well. 

Photographed by Chris Abatzis, courtesy of Death To Stock Photo

I brought this up in a previous article, but if you play a little game with yourself and those around you, it becomes very apparent that we as a society are not very good at managing our sexual health. Ask yourself when you last tested for STIs? Have you ever tested for STIs? How regularly have the people you engage/d with sexually tested, if ever? See how quickly the holes appear? It also doesn’t take a lot of data digging to see that we are not following the best safe sex practices. Although the National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STIs states there has been a significant decrease in the number of syphilis cases, there “has been no substantial decrease in gonorrhoea and chlamydia cases for the past 30 years. In 2017, there were an estimated 4.5 million people diagnosed with gonorrhoea, 5.8 million people with chlamydia.” Take into account that these are documented cases, and given the fact that chlamydia, for example, often doesn’t show any visible symptoms at all, the number is probably astronomically higher. Frighteningly, “less than 40% of all cases [reported through the District Health Information System] of chlamydia and gonorrhoea were treated.”

So we have large percentages of the population that have one or more STIs, and we have a large percentage of those people unwilling or unable to seek treatment for those STIs. And then we come to the very worrying part. The STIs mentioned above are quite tame in the grander scheme of things. They present minimal danger and are pretty easy to treat. These trends also translate to STIs that can have far more dire consequences. It is well known and well published that South Africa is still in the midst of an ongoing HIV epidemic, with People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in South Africa at 13.5% in 2022, which equates to approximately 8 million people. Another incredibly common STI is of course,  Human Papillomavirus (HPV)  This virus tends to go undetected despite persistent infection, leading to abnormal cell changes in the cervix (in women), which in turn can increase the likelihood of cervical cancer development over time. It can spread through close skin-to-skin contact during sex and a person with HPV can pass the infection to someone even when they have no signs or symptoms. It’s also worth noting that there is a vaccine that has been developed for HPV and I, as always, encourage you to seek the advice of a healthcare professional to learn more about this preventative measure. 

The journey to safer sex practices and a society that prioritises sexual health has to start with the individual. Last year, my wonderful colleague Holly Beaton wrote a sensitive and pertinent piece about knowing your HIV status, a piece I highly recommend, which you can read here. In it, she discusses some of the preventative measures mainly related to HIV, such as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a medicine that is highly effective in reducing the risk of getting HIV from sex  when taken as prescribed.

A large part of why I think South Africans are poor at imposing good sexual health practices relates to the stigma regarding STIs in SA. Frankly, I place the blame firmly on the conservative standard of sexual education we received in school and the private sector. Needless to say, the government’s implementation of what they call Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) is commendable. However, it ultimately falls short of having a sustained impact, and the private sector still spews abstinence and threatening children with a lifetime in hell only furthers the shame and fears regarding one of humanity’s most beautiful acts.

At a minimum, if you have [had] multiple sexual partners or your partner has [had] multiple sexual partners, you should be using condoms not only as a form of contraception but as somewhat of a preventative measure against STIs as well. I would like it stated in bold, though, that condoms alone aren’t 100% effective, which leads me to the part people seem to be allergic to TESTING.

Photographed by Agustin Farias, courtesy of Death To Stock Photo

A note on some bedside manners, for the love of all that is holy, don’t bring those gaslighting tactics into the bedroom. Let me run you through some lies and some red flags. “I can’t feel anything with a condom on,” lie. “Awh, babe, I swear I’ll pull out”, lie. “I don’t need to test, and I’m not going to. You’re just paranoid” red flag. “No, we don’t need a condom. I’m on birth control” red flag. Basically, what I want people to really internalise is that sex is an act in which both parties need to feel safe and seen, and sexual safety should play a big part in that. If someone is trying to gaslight you into unprotected sex or they don’t want to test, run for the hills. Here’s the thing: testing is stressful, and people often get into the out of sight out of, mind thought pattern, but knowing your status is an invaluable asset that gives peace of mind to you and your partners, even if those 15 min waiting for your results can often feel like torture. I also don’t think people can use the excuse that testing is inaccessible anymore. I’ll be the first to admit that some platforms charge exorbitant prices, but other, more affordable options are available. Generally, I try to test pretty regularly and mostly get the STD Combo kit from Famka to test at home. This means that if I get a positive result (a false positive is far more likely than a false negative), I can have the result confirmed through lab testing, which works out to be far more affordable than dropping 6k for everything just to come back negative. Other resources and clinics to take into consideration are Public Hospitals across SA, Get Tested, Better2Know, Epicentre, Contro and the everlasting fantastic work done by Marie Stopes – not only in HIV and STI screening but also in creating a safe and affordable place for abortions and contraceptive measures.

I would, however, caveat some of the institutions listed and put out a word of warning. Read the T’s and C’s as your information may not be as private as you may think and also, I need to bring up that from my research, public hospitals only seem to provide free treatment and testing if you are already showing symptoms which, in my opinion, slightly defeats the purpose. 

I know you think you don’t have to test, and I know that even if you do, it may be an experience shrouded in secrecy, but I hope that we can start a process of destigmatising STI screenings and HIV tests. Tell your friends you have peace of mind and that they should too. Let them know just how sexy you think safe sex is and how good sexual health practices are. I would like to close by referring back to the statement that STIs don’t discriminate. At the end of the day, rampant STI rates aren’t about poverty or status but rather a reflection of a society that has stigmatised sexual health so much that we struggle and often fail to consider safe sex as the standard and not the exception. Let’s be safe and sexy, this Dezemba. 

Written by: Casey Delport

For more news, visit the Connect Everything Collective homepage www.ceconline.co.za