Last week I was invited to a rather exclusive little event; a dinner and fashion show featuring Nina Jarebrink’s glamorous new fall/winter collection at the 15 on Orange Hotel.

Now, for those of you who don’t know who she is, let me fill you in: Nina’s a big deal Swedish designer who’s popular with edgy celebs like Jessie J and Lady Gaga. Aside from her main label, she’s also got a ready to wear collection that, surprisingly, won’t break the bank. In fact, her prices are pretty much on par with local designer brands like Marion and Lindie.

But getting back to the event… the guest list was a cosy little mix of local fashionistas, celebs and the odd bloggery chick likemoi. Espresso’s Liezel van der Westhuizen looked glam in a royal blue mini dress while actress Lee-Anne Summers, who also happened to be one of the model’s in the show, rocked the shizz out of a toit black Nina Jarebrink jersey dress.

Oh! And here’s me schmingling with Pop Ya Collar’s ‘La Muse’ Sam Walker. 

I also enjoyed catching up with Glamour’s fashion editor, Bronwyn Day. Bron and I went to junior school together and, aside from a brief dabble in lumo scrunchies, she’s always had a fabulous sense of style. This particular night she was rocking a pair of gorgeous stone-bedazzled earrings that she found in Brazil.

Glamour’s editor, Pnina Fenster was also there and hung out with Nitsa Comminos-Rose, Nina’s local distributor.

Food-wise, we were treated to a delish six-course gourmet meal from Savour, the hotel’s restaurant, paired with more champers and wine than I could drink. Of everything I tasted, I was most impressed with the goronzola-stuffed baked fig starter. It came with springbok bresoala, a balsamic reduction and hazelnut biscotti. Sjoe!

After dinner, the lights dimmed and the fashion show began and that’s when I fell head over heels in love with Nina Jarebrink’s ridiculously gorgeous clothes. It was like she was inside my mind in regards to how I want to dress this winter. Check it out:

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Nina’s winter collection was inspired by Ava Gardner as Kitty Collins in the 1946 film The Killers.

The look’s all about velvet, billowy chiffon and metallic-shot jersey. Colour-wise, it’s a mix of black, cream, bottle-green and grey and as far as accessories go its ‘gold, gold, gold. Always gold, never silver!’ Team all this with shiny Rapunzel-esque curls and vixen-like red lips and you’ve got a look that oozes ‘old Hollywood glamour’.   

Oh! And the awesomeness didn’t stop there… guests walked away with one of the most indulgent, spoilicious not so little goodie bags I’ve seen in ages. Ready to DIE with jealous?

Aside from the scarf (in the background), we also received a pair of Nina Jarebrink earrings and a ring, evil Lindt bolletjies, KMS Free Shape hair products (will be sure to review my favourites later), a leather-bound Ordning & Reda notebook and a MAC lippie and eye shadow. Nice…

A big, big thanks to Jill from Zebra Square and Nitsa for putting the bash together. You’ve introduced me to one of my new favourite designers and set me up on a quest to find the perfect ‘vintage vixen’ red lippie.

Want to get your hand’s on Nina’s winter collection? It’ll be in Habits in Cape Town as well as selected boutiques in Jozi as of July onwards. For a full list of stockists, get in touch with diana@brandgroup.co.za

Love, love

Leigh