Johannesburg’s A-list descended on Hyde Park’s Summer Place for the launch of this year’s SHINE and SKITTER luxury jewellery and watches magazines this week, in an intimate VIP celebration that celebrated all things luxury this year. With TV personality Simba Mhere acting as the event’s MC and host, and thanks in no small part to key sponsors, Anglo American Platinum and Mercedes-Benz, there was a lot more to look at than just our gorgeous local stars.
Mercedes Benz rolled up with a line-up of brand spanking new models to flank the red carpet and Anglo American Platinum showcased its recent PlatAfrica Jewellery Design Awards to a backdrop of popping flashbulbs and the smooth tones of DJ Dino Moran.
Celebrities and VIPs who attended the glitzy celebration included: TV presenter Maps Maponyane, musician Chiano Sky, TV presenter Ursula Chikane, comedian Joey Rasdien, former Miss SA Vanessa Carreira-Coutroulis, actress and TV star Bridget Masinga, 5FM personality Thando Thabethe, as well as a number of actors from the kykNET soapie, Binnelanders. Gracing the covers of this year’s SHINE and SKITTER magazine editions are SA’s self dubbed Queen of Media and TV presenter, Bonang Matheba, as well as international model Candice Boucher, who was also in attendance.
SHINE magazine was first conceived six years ago, as a super-sized, glossy vehicle for advertisers in the luxury jewellery and watches end of the fashion market. Launched by Media24 Magazine’s Women’s Interest Division – with advertising director Yvonne Shaff at the helm – it has grown, over the ensuing years, to become the biggest luxury jewellery and watches book in the country.
Every year, it is bagged with the bumper December editions of FAIRLADY, True Love, Grazia and SARIE, where it is simply known as SKITTER. Says editor Danielle Weakley: “SHINE has been a dream project on which to work.
Not only is it supported by an incredible pool of clients, but there is such an overwhelming amount of great stories to tell and beautiful shoots to pursue.”
Danielle Weakley joined the SHINE team earlier this year as editor after successfully launching Grazia into the South African market. “Having spent the last three years living and breathing fashion on a weekly deadline, it was amazing to give such single-minded focus to the most important of accessories – jewellery and watches.”
“This year, rather than theming the SHINE editions as we have done in the past, we opted to show off pieces around occasion dressing – whether off-duty weekend wear or high voltage cocktail glamour. We’ve also focused on micro trends so readers will know exactly why they want to buy into a particular piece, not just where and how much.
Women today don’t opt for head-to-toe labels when it comes to their fashion choices – and they mix and match their jewellery and watch just as much, opting to layer different metals and stones, high end and high street.”
