Meet Kelly and Gabrielle Davids, the ‘Kardashian sisters’ of Cape Town. They’re often described as the “Kardashian sisters” of Cape Town, but Kelly and Gabriella are proudly Davids.
The stunning siblings are the brains behind new fashion label MilQ and Honey, which turned heads at Wednesday’s opening ceremony of Mercedes-Benz Cape Town Fashion Week.
Compliments streamed in after their Morocco-inspired catwalk show, which featured colourful, wispy creations with animal print and oversized hats.
The president’s wife, Bongi Ngema-Zuma, was in attendance and voiced her approval too.
“Yes, the First Lady joked and said we must please start making clothing in her size too,” said Kelly.
Other fans on the night included Western Cape premier Helen Zille; businessman Patrice Motsepe and his wife, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, who is the chairperson of African Fashion International, the company behind fashion week.
“Patrice came up to us afterwards to congratulate us, and Helen Zille kissed me,” added Gabriella.
Kelly (25) and Gabriella (27) attended Rustenburg High School for Girls in Cape Town’s leafy southern suburbs.
After some modelling and travel stints, they launched MilQ and Honey at the trendy nightclub 169 on Long – which belongs to their father, Gerald – in February 2012.
They share a flat in Mouille Point, and keep fit by going for daily strolls along the Sea Point promenade.
On Wednesday afternoon, the ballroom at the Cape Town International Convention Centre was a hive of activity before the opening ceremony.
Eighteen make-up artists prepared their brushes in the wings, while long-legged models practised their turns.
Gerald was there to support his daughters. “I am so very proud,” he said.
Their mother, Tammy, died from colon cancer three years ago. The Fashion Week show was a tribute to her.
“Her death, in a way, was very beautiful. She told us that she was ready for the next part of her journey,” said Kelly.
“We all stood around her bed when she passed away. She died with a smile,” added Gabriella.
During an interview after their show, the girls completed each other’s sentences. They greeted strangers with hugs, laughed a lot and said “d-low” instead of “down low”.
Kelly wore feathers plaited into her long dark tresses and crystals around her neck, while Gabriella looked crisp in a white shirt and smart, dark David Tlale jacket.
Dominique Marszalek of The Little Hattery provided the headgear for their collection: “They’re just always fun,” he said. “And their brand is feminine and sassy.”
Do they get the Kardashian reference often? “Yes,” said Kelly, laughing.
“But we’re proudly Davids, really.”
The MilQ and Honey brand consists of a fashion line run by Kelly and a luxurious spa run from their father’s Rondebosch home by Gabriella.
It is evident that they feed off each other’s energy and that decisions are shared. Key to it all is the notion of “the goddess”.
“We want to treat women with love and respect. We want women who wear our clothes to feel beautiful. We want everyone who leaves our spa to feel like a goddess,” said Gabriella.
These values were instilled in them by their mother, the girls concur, and healthy living became paramount after she died.
Their signature spa treatment is a manicure where hands are dipped in milk and rubbed in honey, with coarse sugar used as an exfoliater – for R220.
They serve healthy snacks like organic fruit platters, vegan pizzas and soups on the side.
Another formidable woman spotted at Fashion Week was DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko, seen snapping pictures in the front row at the showing of the Habits summer collection by Jenny le Roux.
Mazibuko opted for a black dress and her signature bright red lips.
source: City Press