With just over a week to go ahead of the 16th annual SA Music Awards at Sun City, I feel compelled to offer the Cape Town musicians who are attending some advice. As the only real 'red' carpet in SA (the carpet is in fact yellow — you know, for MTN, the sponsors...) if behoves the attendees to make some kind of effort. By which I mean turn up in an outfit with intent and swagger.
I do not mean shiny. Although a bit of a sequin is always cheerful.
I do not mean made by some random designer. Although it is always best to be fitted for such ocassions. And there are some very talented designers on offer.
What I do mean is that know what you want to communicate about yourself and then do it with charm.
Cape Town bands always get a bad rap for not trying hard enough. Apparently in Jozi a clean t-shirt and skinny jeans just doesn't cut it. Nor should it. Where exactly is the swagger in that?
But what I think is worth remembering is that it is a good thing to represent the brand of your band or music. It is also a good thing not to look exactly like everyone else in their shiny suits. I mean, whatever else marvelous is happening in music, CT bands will always be rock 'n roll.
And so my advice to you all is this:
1. Think Meryl Streep. Cool. Understated. Honest. Comfortable. Unexpected.
2. Make sure your hair, nails, shoes and clothes are all clean.
3. Know who you are and then do the dress-up version of you.
4. Be witty. But not cheesy. Quirky is rad but you have to keep it subtle else they will be laughing at you and not with you. (i.e. NO TIGER HOODIES JDT)
5. And yes, employ a fantastic local designer like Lara Klawakowski, Christopher Strong, Stiaan Louw, Nazir, David West, Kluk boys, Gav-to-the-Raj or any number of other talents to interpret and showcase the very 'ness' of you in a way that is all those Meryl Streep things.
You can't go wrong.
Oh, and one last thing that I learned from the FUG Girls. Get someone to snap a photo of you before you head out so that you can see how your outfit will look in the Sunday papers. It just gives you the chance to make changes if necessary.
And good luck. Represent.