The lovely people over at GHD invited me to attend their Revelations event on thursday night, which I'm happy to say was worth cutting my holiday short for. The event took place on Hope Street in Cape Town's CBD with a line of mostly black-wearing fashionista's (and the odd fashionisto) down the street.
Styled by the very talented Mari Groenewald, the event was a maze of dark but delightful fashion installations. One immediately got the feeling of a school-like ghost house but with a larger budget and a sexy fashion twist. I took along my friend Amy and we sipped on champagne as we were ushered by security from one room to the next.
The first installment was a gorgeous lantern-inspired tree display. I believe the dresses were of David Tlale's talents.
Next was a room with two tiny windows. Inside was a women I interpreted as some kind of courtesan, dressed in beautiful Lingerie walking from one side of the room to other, talking on the phone or looking at a lover in a picture frame. Hauntingly Beautiful.
Following this were a series of interaction-rooms. A telephone booth (where Amy and I were too tall to stand in) with creepy, sad voices coming out of nowhere. The night cafe with the lady hanging from a suspended hoop, where a waitress with shocking make-up offered popcorn and champagne. In the next room voyeurs had the tables turned momentarily with bright lights facing the stage and suddenly reversed to reveal an act of models in a french cafe setting where the audience should be.
Photography was encouraged in this room with frames hanging all over the walls.
Down the stairs in a wall papered corner twins sat in identical outfits to hand out paper to guests. On the paper you were meant to write your deepest desires and hang it on a tree out in the courtyard.
My favorite (as it was for many others) was a Marie Antoinette-like girl lying around drunk because no one came to her party. A literal interpretation of 'It's my party and I'll get wasted if I want to'.
After the entire walk-through you're led to a room upstairs filled with people, music and waiters carrying champagne. A perfect finish indeed, a little networking between photo moments while ladies got their hair and make-up done on stage and a chance to talk about the show.
All the details of the show must have taken weeks to plan and execute, and it was thoroughly enjoyable! Thanks to MAC cosmetics and GHD for doing such a great job!
