Samsung Partners with Designer Thebe Magugu to Flip the Script on Consumer Experiences #GalaxyFlipTown

Hi Guys, 

Samsung has partnered with South African fashion design extraordinaire Thebe Magugu, to bring consumers a one-of-a-kind experience at Galaxy Fliptown from 18 to 30 August 2023, at The Zone in Rosebank, Johannesburg. Samsung created this platform to allow both its existing and future consumers to get close to and experience the true essence of the brand.

With Galaxy Fliptown, Samsung is flipping the script on how its consumers engage with its products and creating a stage where they can live it up, express themselves, and bring out all their amazing different sides from any angle they choose. Fliptown offers consumers an opportunity to join the flipside at a unique pop-up zone where they can express themselves like never before with the latest Samsung foldable phone sensation, the Galaxy Z Flip5. The platform is billed to give consumers an awesome platform where they can play, create unique shareable content, win fantastic prizes with Samsung, and explore digital fashion, through collaboration with Magugu.

Joining the flipside at Fliptown unfolds a new world of self-expression and customisation. Visitors to Fliptown will enjoy a unique experience as they capture their journey with the new Galaxy Z Flip5. The experience begins with getting styled by make-up artists that will interpret your Fliptown look with Y2K designs and colours. Guests will also get a chance to do their nails like never before with the revolutionary Fliptown nail printer that will let them add their selfies on their fingernails, all in line with the essence of customisation and self-expression, and the Z Flip5 helping them along.

“The Galaxy Z Flip5 is a beautifully crafted device, with a combination of craftsmanship and playfulness that I really admire. Quality and novelty are two of my passions, and the sleek, multifaceted look that I always strive for has much in common with the Z Flip5. My work is multidimensional - which could be said for the Galaxy Z Flip 5; which finds its expression in so many ways. I Have designed two outfits that are a fresh take on Y2K, finding an intersection between the now and then. We will be launching these outfits in a novel way, to be revealed soon,” said Magugu.

The journey on the flipside shows visitors the revolutionary edge of fashion through a dynamic interface featuring Thebe Magugu’s innovative designs. Guests will be able to explore their fun ‘flip side' by taking a walk on the Fliptown catwalk, and showing off in multi-angle dynamic shots only possible with a foldable phone. Furthermore, and as can be expected, Fliptown will come with lots of awesome prizes to win including a Thebe Magugu-designed outfit, tailored especially for the winner.

The final stop in the whole Fliptown experience will be nothing but a sweet delight. This is a Y2K ice-cream doughnut station sprinkled with awesome taste bud-tingling toppings to sweeten the entire consumer experience.

“As a brand, we are at the forefront of design and Thebe Magugu is one person who lives on the flipside. It’s a marriage made in collaborative heaven. The Galaxy Z Flip5 is the ultimate tool for self-expression, Fliptown is about the behaviour of individuals who aren’t afraid to not conform and have the confidence to express their true, authentic selves. From both device and experience perspectives, Thebe Magugu is a great fit. The stage is set and all that’s left is for our consumers to flip their smartphone experience with Thebe’s exquisite designs and the Galaxy Z Flip5,” said Kgomotso Mosiane, Head of Marketing for Mobile eXperience at Samsung.

Entrance at Galaxy Fliptown is free.

Aum Namah Shivay!

Till next time...Aashish
Thanks! Cheers!!!
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Our Makers Hunt and Create for You @SOKODistrict Newest Addition, Gather Grocer #SOKORosebank

Hi Friends, 

In July this year, the very first SOKO District opened in Rosebank Mall. A few months on, SOKO identified an opportunity to test a locally sourced grocer within the Rosebank District. In what is a collaborative effort, SOKO has partnered with The Grainery on a concept called “Gather Grocer” in which local goods are sold on a consignment basis.

Gather is essentially a curated local grocery concept store that has local producers of quality food products at the heart of it. The intention is to create a grocery store collective that changes the shopping experience by giving the expert crafters of food products the ability to reach customers in a considered, immersive and curated way in a convenient location - a space that makes sense for food retail.

Says Hanré Truter, Head of Space at SOKO: “We are confident that not only will this store become a destination shopping experience in its own right, but that it will also bring much-needed traffic and repeat footfall into the district, benefiting all retailers within the district.”

“Gather is the child we really considered and studied before deciding we were going to bring it out into the open. Hundreds of hours went into the forethought, the systems, the brand acquisition, the visual language and most importantly, the business model. We are proud of its complexity and solid foundation,” says Gather’s curator and owner of The Grainery, Twila Cannell.

A special focus will be on the offering at Gather. The brands which have come on board are special. They are a true celebration and testament to the tenacity and creativity of the South African food entrepreneur.

Gather would like to extend an opportunity to as many food brands as possible, any local producers of grocery store product offerings can email eat@gathergrocer.co.za to find out more about being part of the Gather Grocery.

You’ll find the Gather store at the first SOKO District located in the bustling heart of Jozi at Rosebank Mall, 50 Bath Ave, Rosebank. For more information visit the SOKO District website or watch the launch video here: https://youtu.be/9udCS_7EMPM

SOKO District at Rosebank Mall Operating Hours:

SOKO District is operational under the adjusted Level 1 restrictions:

Mon – Thurs: 9am – 6pm | Fri: 9am – 7pm | Sat, Sun and Public holidays: 9am – 5pm

Operating hours over the Festive Season remain as above but please take special note of the operating times on the following days during the Festive Season:

• Day of Reconciliation 16 December 2021 9am to 6pm
• Christmas Day 25 December 2021 Closed
• Day of Goodwill 26 December 2021 9am to 5pm
• New Year’s Day 1 January 2022 Closed
• Sunday 2 January 2022 9am to 5pm

Follow Gather on Instagram @gather_grocer #localislekker #locoforlocal #gatheringsallowed #comegatherwithus

Follow SOKO District on Instagram @sokodistrict or keep up to date with their latest news on Facebook @sokodistrict. Don’t forget to use the hashtags #SOKODistrict #SOKORosebank #ChooseLocal and #SupportLocal #RetailTherapy #RetellTherapy when you are sharing your SOKO District experiences.

About SOKO District

You’ll find the first SOKO District space at the centre of all the action in Rosebank Mall. It’s the first of many come and what a good place to start – in the bustling heart of the Jozi. This location resonates with a SOKO District pillar principle of creating a regenerative space, a space that encourages constant movement towards fresh ideas.

We are 100% South African-owned, and we keep our carefully selected shop-fitting materials local as far as possible. Sustainable sourcing and recyclability also play pivotal roles in our processes – from our exclusive and patented mechanisms to our electronic and lighting systems.

Technology is a vehicle for improving the quality and sustainability of the community we live in. Our drive towards innovation – the continual hunt for solutions towards improvement – puts us in a unique position to supply SOKO District retailers with the best and latest technologies. Zero harm. Ecologically sound.

Sustainability

Each brand within SOKO District has a completely customisable space which means customers can easily find and recognise their favourite store. From a shop-fitting perspective, nothing goes to waste. Even shop branding is carefully recycled into stylish shopping bags after use.

Cheers!!!

Support me if you like reading this blog post by buying me a cup of tea or coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TheLifesWay Contact at thelifesway@gmail.com to collaborate and promote your services and products. Subscribe to my YOUTUBE Channel for giveaways, product reviews and mystery unboxings. #TheLifesWay #9YearsofTheLifesWay. Namaste!

Go Proudly Local At The Vibrant New African Lane @RosebankMall #RosebankMall

Hi Friends,

‘Going local’ is so much more than trendy and woke – especially at the renowned Rosebank Art & Craft Market where a brand new African Lane campaign has been launched to highlight the best and brightest local arts and crafts in town, at ‘I think I’ll get two at that price’ pricing, with memorable encounters with the talented vendors whose passion for their work and for people adds charm to the whole shopping experience.

African Lane brings the Rosebank Art & Craft Market into the Rosebank Mall from Fridays to Sundays, launching on 12 March and running for eight weeks, located on level 2 in the CNA, Lacoste, and Le Creuset walkways. The market will feature 57 of the 114 traders per week on a rotational basis to ensure compliance with Covid protocols and equal opportunities for all.

Mel Jeffries, Marketing Manager of Rosebank Mall, says the Rosebank Art & Craft Market is an important and vibrant hub in the Rosebank community. “As with all markets, it was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic and the vendors struggled, but the indomitable African spirit is in full force at African Lane – and their stunning work is gracing their stalls for everyone, locals and guests, to find something special and unique to gift or keep, to use or gaze at, but essentially to enjoy.”

African Lane is a ‘Support Small Business’ concept, offering a rich diversity of authentic and proudly African products at affordable local prices, by artists and traders from several African countries, including South Africa, Ghana, Congo, Cameroon, Malawi, Kenya, Mali, Senegal, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

“The range of art and crafts is both beautiful and eclectic, and includes a wide range of ornaments, beadwork, handbags, décor items, paintings, animal skins, and a variety of gifting items, each showcasing the talent and creativity of their crafters,” says Jeffries.

Most artists in Africa come down from their families; from generation to generation, from the grandfather to the father to the son, passing on the inspiration for their art. Most of the art in Africa is also related to the culture, tradition and the region where the artist is from, making their art unique according to their specific influences.

Jeffries adds that the African Lane experience at the Rosebank Art & Craft Market offers the ideal opportunity for Gautengers and guests to the area to discover new-found colour-rich treasures, to stroll the walkways and be inspired, to admire the imagination and skill that goes into each intriguing product, and to shop with a conscience, knowing that supporting African Lane is building sustainable livelihoods for many households. “There are many reasons to visit African Lane,” she says, “but the best one is that it’s always an uplifting and rewarding experience.”

Cheers!!!

Support me if you like reading this blog post by buying me a cup of tea or coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TheLifesWay Contact at thelifesway@gmail.com to collaborate and promote your services and products. Subscribe to my YOUTUBE Channel for giveaways, product reviews and mystery unboxings. #TheLifesWay #9YearsofTheLifesWay. Namaste!

@Starbucks_SA Scores A 1-2-3 With The New FreshX #Rosebank Store #carrythemerrywithstarbucks

Hi Friends, 

Just one week after Starbucks arrived in the Western Cape and Gauteng for the first time, Starbucks is hitting another milestone in South Africa – opening its first store inside a grocery retail setting. The new Starbucks store will open in the brand-new Checkers FreshX in Rosebank Mall, as part of major expansion drive which will see eight-stores open across four weeks in the province.

Of the new Starbucks stores, five are in Cape Town, one in Stellenbosch, and one each in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

CEO Hyprop Morne Wilken with CEO of Rand Capital Coffee Adrian Maizy

Starbucks FreshX Rosebank is designed to complement the Starbucks Reserve offering, which is located outside the Rosebank Mall. Customers are invited to visit the store to enjoy the Starbucks Holiday menu including a wide selection of handcrafted seasonal beverages. Starbucks coffee is 99% ethically sourced and accredited by Conservation International under the C.A.F.E. Practices programme.

Adrian Maizey, CEO of Rand Capital Coffee, the licensee of Starbucks in South Africa, says the FreshX Rosebank store “It’s a stunning store, designed to deliver the Starbucks experience in partnership with Checkers FreshX.”

The second Starbucks ‘store within a store’ opens in Checkers FreshX in Stellenbosch on 12 December, and Maizey says that looking ahead, the two brands have entered into a long-term partnership.

Willem Hunlun, COO of Checkers, says this collaboration between the two brands will make Starbucks’ menu more accessible to consumers with the increased retail footprint through the Checkers FreshX supermarket. He adds, “As Checkers continues to grow and expand its fresh offering, the partnership with Starbucks is evidence of our efforts to offer an improved and outstanding shopping experience.”

Maizey, a born and bred South African from Pretoria, who, together with his team has been involved in the design of all the new Starbucks stores, says it’s exciting to introduce a variation in the Starbucks experience with the in-store offering. “We believe Starbucks FreshX Rosebank will be a destination for delicious coffee and a gathering place for local shoppers. Our partners, as our baristas are known, look forward to sharing their appreciation and knowledge of coffee with our customers in an environment where everyone is welcome.”,

Join the conversation on social media by sharing your Starbucks FreshX experience using the hashtag #carrythemerrywithstarbucks.

Cheers!!!

Support me if you like reading this blog post by buying me a cup of tea or coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TheLifesWay Contact at thelifesway@gmail.com to collaborate and promote your services and products. Subscribe to my YOUTUBE Channel for giveaways, product reviews and mystery unboxings. #TheLifesWay #9YearsofTheLifesWay. Namaste!

Launch Event - Stuttafords @RosebankMall 31 July 2014

 Hi Guys,

                  
A world of brands was introduced to Johannesburg city during the relaunch event of Stuttafords in the newly revamped Rosebank Mall store. Guests were treated to delicious canapés from award-winning caterer Vicky Crease along with a nice champagne. The international brand has everything international about the relaunch also. Hilton Mer, Executive Chairman of the Stuttafords Group, officially reopened the store.

Checkout the tweets by all the fashion magazines and celebrity guest at  #StuttafordsRosebank


Stuttafords is proud of its heritage and positioning as “Your World of Brands.” With the right intelligence, international fashion know-how and special sensitivity to luxury, Stuttafords has put together an unrivalled assortment of the world’s finest fashion and beauty brands under a single roof.

Gap, Banana Republic, French Connection, Ted Baker, Bellfield and Made in Italy are there on the racks, along with a shoes and handbags section, as well as a special men’s formal section. Stuttafords Rosebank will have Tom Ford Private Blend, Armani Prive, Boss Collection, Van Cleef & Arpels Collection Extraordinaire, Michael Kors Make Up, Zegna Ezzenza Collection, Sensai, Shiseido, La Mer and Bobbi Brown collection of clothing also.

Check out the store asap! I hope that if you have the money and flair for great clothing, you won't be disappointed with what this store has to offer. Rosebank Mall is something that brings a lot of memories and creates a lot everyday to cherish for lifetime. Enjoy your time shopping once again!

Cheers!!!

Contact me for your product's review on twitter @araijain or @thelifesway or email - thelifesway@gmail.com

Movie Review - Haute Cuisine (French)

Hi Guys,

Haute Cuisine is a French movie and showcases the indomitable will power of a lady chef in the kitchen world of President's house and how she handles the whole situation.

The world is not always supporting to your needs but then it's the adversity that makes you or breaks you. How you respond to these adversities only tests your character and faith you have on yourself.

The movie is a comedy drama but the only problem is that I had to read through the English subtitles because French language is black and white to me. The movie is really entertaining and for no second you feel dragged or editing of the movie is awesome. There has been a mystery attached to the whole movie and is only solved in the end so it keeps you glued to your seat.

I really loved the acting of leading lady, Catherine Frot along with many others esp Arthur Dupont. The cinematography has been awesome with a lot of delicacies macro shots along with the landscape of the Antarctica. It did really made me hungry and immediately after the movie, I went straight to the restaurant.

Movie is releasing in Ster Kinekor . Book your tickets now. More info on twitter and facebook. 

Cheers!!!

Contact me for your product's review on twitter @araijain or @thelifesway or email - thelifesway@gmail.com

Product Review - GAME - MyLight Wireless 12 LED Lamp

Hi Guys,

I keep checking various stores from the Walmart group which are here in Johannesburg and keep visiting GAME to check on the deals or reduced to go sale. Most of the items I buy here are from DionWired or Makro but now GAME has also been added to this list. These deals are not shown in their catalogs or sale items which really make me go visit the stores and check the special desks kept for reduced to go items.

I always wanted to have some white light as the bulbs installed in my home throw yellowish light. I came across a nice looking LED Lamp in GAME which was priced at ZAR 80. On my next visit to the store, the price was reduced to ZAR 60 making it a good deal.

The Mushroom shaped lamp comes in 4 colors - White, Black, Green and Pink. I chose the Black color as I really loved it.

The device runs on three AA sized batteries and has a touch button which switched on-off the lamp. 

 

The 12 LED lights glows and gives enough light to read on your kindle or books, work on your laptop and also helps me when I don't want to come out of my duvet early mornings and want light to wake me up.It is a multi-purpose device which can also work as a Lampshade on the side of your beds.

It is really a good China made product and the quality is nice. I hope it will serve my time here and thereafter. I also hope the DURACELL batteries delivers the same performance as it promises.This product is definitely a BUY and you can use it anywhere you want to.

Just saw the same lamp in SHERLOCK Season 3 episode 2 at around 45 min when Sherlock and John are shown drinking beer at several places and in one of the tables, the same lamp is lighting the table.

Cheers!!!

Clicked using Panasonic FZ5 Camera

Contact me for your product's review on twitter @araijain or @thelifesway or email - thelifesway@gmail.com

Product Review - Mobi Headphonies MP3 Speakers

Hi Guys,

Sometimes in life, you come across somethings for which you have very less expectations and they perform beyond the same and you feel amazed. I have experienced something like that with Mobi Headphonies Ninja & Smiley. I thought them to be just good looking speakers with built in battery which will work for 1-2 hours maximum. But on the contrary these small speakers are powerful on only in their sound output but also has got great battery life. On a full recharge, I am using them for more than six hours now. Outstanding performance!!!

I saw them for the first time at GAME, Rosebank. As GAME is a part of WALMART so they get a lot of products from USA. These small great looking speakers comes in different variations. I loved the Ninja one and immediately bought in one of their REDUCED to GO sale. The price I paid for them and the value I am getting out of them is very very high. I recommended it to my many friends and they bought all of the pieces available in store. 

These speakers connect using the cable that comes with it to your laptop or ipod or mobile phone for your personal listening purposes. You can also use the Aux cable to connect also. 

The Mobi Headphonies hi-fi amplified MP3 speakers are located behind the head of the character you choose and AUX IN in located at the bottom of the character. The voice quality is clear and crisp, though at high volumes it starts to bring in noise disturbances. The lithium-ion battery charges quickly within 1-2 hours and gives a long music output with your ipod etc.

The graphics on the speaker body is simply breathtaking. These speakers are aimed at younger generation and kids. I use them while I write my blogposts on my www.thelifesway.com and it really serves the purpose. Keeps me entertained and doesn't disturb others at home by the kind of music I like. 

The same cable works as charging cable and aux in cable. Also you can play them while the speakers are being recharged. Headphonies are enough to fill the volume in a small room for your music in the background levels. These are not meant for dancing purposes. These can be easily carried in your bag or can be attached to your car keys if you are comfortable with little big key chain.

I really loved Mobi Headphonies and they have performed beyond my expectations. Go for it! 

Cheers!!!

Contact me for your product's review on twitter at @araijain  or @thelifesway or email - thelifesway@gmail.com