Happy New Year to all of you fashionistas! There is no doubt in my mind that 2019 is going to be amazing. So let’s get cracking.
January has been a whirlwind of a month and I have had very little time to put together an outfit for the Cape Quarter in Green Point.
Having not splurged too much during December, I had a few pennies in the bank to spoil myself to a new dress.
While walking past a popular clothing chainstore, a gold ruffled dress caught my eye and I just had to have it. I paired the R299 dress with a wedge heel and hooped earrings. And with a little “face beat” and a spritz of Olympea by Paco Rabanne, I was ready for the launch.
Canapes, champagne and macaroons awaited guests on arrival.
What is luxury, you ask? Owner Luke Calitz, explains: “We buy and sell authentic, pre-owned luxury items that are in great condition. We also have the largest selection of iconic fashion brands such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Louboutins under one roof.”
Luke said the Mother City store was opened to create a national presence for Luxity.
“We have two stores now. The other one is situated at Melrose Arch in Johannesburg. I grew up with these brands and before I launched Luxity, there was no store like it around,” he said.
Luke said he launched the brand to make women happy as he noticed power clothes had to change one’s mood.
“Growing up, I always noticed how clothes had the power to change my mom’s mood and give her confidence to be the super mom that she has always been. Whether it be a new handbag or pair of shoes, these items have the power to create a sense of happiness.”
Luke said the brand caters for three distinct buyers.
“Firstly, we have the ultra rich woman who is looking to purchase vintage and collectors’ items and has a lot of money to splurge. The second woman enjoys wearing the latest designer items and buys ans sells items frequently and the third is the aspiring luxury shopper who will occassionally buy a few key items for her wardrobe. Many of our customers make use of our 60-day lay-by option,” he said.
He said Luxity gives women who want to sell items the peace of mind that they won’t be hoodwinked on online platforms. We have many customers who are just buyers or sellers. We offer them the ease of letting go of their items without worrying that they could possibly be scammed. We have stringent authentication process. If you buy something from us and you think it’s fake, we encourage our customers to bring it back. That has, however, never happened,” he said.
I am nit brand obsessed but I saw a few items at the store that literally made me gawk. One such item was a pair of Christian Louboutin Mea Culpa 120 black pumps with an estimated retail price of R12 000 but as the shoes are pre-owned, Luxity is selling them for R8 000.
Even though I am all for fashion on a budget, there are women out there who are able to fork out that amount of cash for pre-owned designer goods, and it’s their prerogative.
To contour or not to contour…
Over the festive season, I had an appointment for lash extensions and while having them applied I started a conversation with the beautician who commented that it seems everyone is starting to look the same. The same being: heavily contoured faces with matching eyebrows.
She insisted that I mention this in my next column as she, like me, prefers the natural, dewy look.
Trend forecasters have predicted that heavily contoured faces is a fading trend that will slowly dissipate in 2019. So here’s to all of you embracing your individuality and staying authentic. Stay flawsome!
Next month, MAW turns one year old. Send your fashion tips and comments to mika.williams@inl.co.za
