SIAM COLLECTION

Siam Collection was officially launched in 2017 by Johannesburg based designer, Jennifer Girdwood. She was motivated to create a fashion label of her own, a brand that is uniquely South African and one that is full of colour.

The first Spring Summer collection named ‘Fleurs du Feu’ / ‘Fire Of Flowers’ has a distinct point of view and clearly represents the brand’s vision as a whole. 

Siam Collection’s distinctive brand presence was inspired by beautiful Thailand. The vibrant colour palette and color combinations used within Thai textiles were the catalyst which brought this brand to life.

The graphic, exuberant nature of South Africa and its traditional fabric prints were a source of further inspiration, which has lead to an exclusive floral print being created. This floral design has been featured in unexpected areas of garments such as jacket and sleeve linings. Siam prides itself in the quality of their garment construction as well as the ability to bring interesting and fiery design to South African women.

All of the garments are designed by Jennifer herself and are 100% produced in South Africa. It has always been her aim to be a part of, and contribute to, the growth of the South African fashion industry.

As it is with all things in life, creating something of one’s own which is meaningful, unique, sustainable and which grows according to one’s vision and definition of success, is an extremely challenging feat. 

There are many tests one has to work through on one’s way to launching a business and they are mostly ‘self’ related. Characteristics that will definitely be tested are; patience, ingenuity and creativity, one’s drive and vision, self-belief,  determination and the ability to have perspective and separate emotions from business decisions. One learns a lot about oneself in the process of creating something else. 

The biggest challenge Jennifer has found throughout the launch of her label is the lack of quality industry suppliers and industry support. 

In order to overcome all of these challenges one has to be tenacious and pursue solutions. It is very easy to give up and as a result many, many small businesses close their doors. 

We are all stronger together and by seeking the advice, expertise and the help of others when it is needed makes all the difference.  It is in this arena that Jennifer has found the most difficulty and therefore Siam Collection aims to promote collaboration and support between ambitious women in South Africa and is aiming to be more than just a pretty clothing brand. Projects in the pipeline are intended to grow the brand to be a source of empowerment and support for South African Women. 

 Siam is the brand for the boss lady, for the women who want to wear something unique and exclusive, for the women with taste and flaire. 

THE LEGACY OF TRUE BEAUTY 

BEAUTY MEETS FASHION

 Tamaryn Forbes TLOTB Head Lead OF MUA  & Creative Entrepreneur ...

Creative and Entrepreneurial background with a mother in the arts and  father who has his own manufacturing company. On finishing my matric, I aimed to further my education in Fashion design but ended up qualifying with a Marketing Diploma via the IMM Marketing Institution as my Father did not encourage a qualification in Fashion. I knew that the skills I had gained from my studies would one day be applied to me pursuing my career within the fashion industry or any related creative sector. In saying this, I needed to gain work experience, and I was presented with an opportunity within an industrial corporate marketing position, a far cry from where I had seen myself. While gaining corporate work experience, I never let go of my aspiration to work within a creative and inspiring industry and soon became interested in the art of makeup. After studying for my Honours Degree in Business Philosophy, I promised myself that the next thing I study and pursue would be in line with my passion, with that I resigned and studied makeup full time.

This was the best choice I have ever made for myself. I learned so much about myself in accepting my corporate journey in the way that we aren’t always going to like what we do but will still have the opportunity to grow and learn no matter what position we are in. Studying makeup taught me that in following your passion and talents, you would accept the challenges far more vigorously, work and live every day more happily and merely live a far more fulfilled life.

There are many reasons I enjoy being a makeup artist but to list a few reasons as to why I am so passionate about what I do, is because I get to interact with different people regularly. I have a creative challenge every time I have a different face to work on, as each “canvas” changes no matter how many times I have done the same application. It is incredibly rewarding to see someone feel good about themselves; the makeup industry is ever changing and hugely innovative, and having your work conveys a message of who someone is or who they aspire to be.

Must have beauty products:

Eucerin milk face wash and moisturizer

Rimmel Match Foundation

LA Girl Strobe highlighter and dark compact powder

Catrice black eyeliner and mascara’s

MINA eyebrow wand

Makeup tips/advice:

When in doubt, focus on your skin application

A winged eyeliner always adds glamour

Brows are as important as everyone says, they frame your face.

Not too much blush but DON’T go without.

Mascara application starts at the root to the end of the lash in a side to side “wiggle” motion

Test colour on your collarbone or chest, not your hand. Your chest is the closest area to your face when looking straight ahead and gets the same amount of sun as your face.

Wetting your eyeshadow brush before applying highly pigmented shadows will give you a long-lasting “wet” look.

Top 5 Makeup Looks:

Sun-kissed glamorous glow

Classic Old Hollywood look (red lip and winged liner)

Red carpet glamour (False lashes, strong contours and shimmer eyeshadows)

Smokey eye

Avant-Garde (Fantasy)

Spring colors:

Girls Night Out: Wine-stained lips and eyelids to match, but I would choose one or the other.

Rock and Roller: Black liner on lids as well as in the water line.

Floral Feminine: Orangey Golds on the skin and soft pinks on eyes and lips for the feminine look.

Girl Glow: The bronzed and glowing look is as strong as ever where contouring and highlighting put the skin front and centre.

PoP: A pop of colour is always refreshing mostly on the lips in pastels for 2017 or fruity colours celebrating the warmth of summer.

My favorite makeup brands:

Makeup Forever – all of their products (Shop at Metropolitan)

Catrice – Mascara, Lashes, liners and shadows (Shop at Dischem)

MAC - Eyeshadows and lipsticks (Shop at stand-alone stores)

LA Girl – Strobe powders, contour powders and concealers (Shop at Dischem)

Urban Decay -  Eyeshadows (Shop at Standalone stores)

Skincare for someone who wears makeup every day:

1: Wash your brushes once to twice a week.

2: Always wash your face, with Dove or any other dermatologically tested face washes. Never sleep with makeup on.

3: Tone after cleansing skin to deep clean pores.

4: Only exfoliate and face mask once a week.

5: Affordable and effective ways of caring for skin:

Face wash: Dove

Toner: Rosewater (Dischem Brand)

Moisturiser: Essential Oils (Dischem Brand)

Exfoliate: Sugar and Aqueous cream

THE LEGACY OF TRUE BEAUTY