On July 25, 2015, Fashion Week San Diego (FWSD) hosted its first Glamour on Goldfinch event at The Patio on Goldfinch, a quaint restaurant in the heart of Mission Hills. Brunch and a specialty “Bubbles and Bling” cocktail were served for the occasion, with a partial of the proceeds going towards the Rancho Coastal Humane Society (RCHS).

FWSD’s TaSanni and local brand LUV SURF Apparel were the featured designers for the event.

TaSanni is the love child of childhood friends Fatsani Chikwana-Dogani and Tariro Mapuranaga-Sibanda, hence the combination of their names. The duo sought to create a collection where the vibrant prints of Africa interlope with contemporary Western style.

While there have been controversies amidst certain labels and stores concerning the lack of ethics in the creation of apparel, TaSanni strives to make sure that their apparel is ethically sourced from Southern Africa, instead of countries like China. Due to this, not only has the African economy flourished, it has made Africa a potential clothing manufacturing hub in the process. The brand’s logo–an African sunrise in the savannah–is a representation of that success.

TaSanni’s current campaign, its recent arrival to the industry, is one of subtlety bold prints with the mixture of basic color tones, making this collection appropriately versatile for day-to-day wear. While I am somewhat reminded of the the clean simplicity found in Lukhanyo Mdingi’s ‘Taintless’ collection, TaSanni leans more towards the modern woman, with its feminine silhouette and stand-out impressions, than Mdingi’s weightless monochrome and his preference in creating garments fitted for both sexes.

Although LUV SURF Apparel was born in the sunny land of California, it connects with women worldwide with it’s passion for “sunshine, sand, and turf.” The brand intends to promote a healthy lifestyle-Cali style. Featuring cute tanks and sundresses, LUV SURF is the epitome of all things summer.

LUV SURF Apparel is reminiscent of what I call ‘Cali Surf brands,’ due to the many similarities in lifestyle and in the clothing. However, I’m sensing a bohemian vibe, largely from the flared jeans and the intricate decals found on the sundresses, even though it continues to present itself as beach couture.