BY MODERN OPULENT GAZETTE

Every January, South Africans make the same familiar promises. Save more. Budget properly. Finally get finances under control. By March, reality sets in. Unexpected expenses crop up, debit orders pile up and good intentions fade under the weight of real financial pressure. The issue is rarely a lack of discipline. More often, financial resolutions fail because they are too broad to address the specific problem causing the most stress. According to Brett Caminsky, Director at Atlas Finance,...

Hair restoration has steadily moved into the mainstream. Improved techniques, greater visibility and shifting attitudes towards cosmetic procedures have made it more acceptable for both men and women. Yet as demand grows, so too does risk. Alongside established medical practices, unsafe or so called “dark clinics” continue to operate in many countries, including South Africa. These clinics often function temporarily, sometimes using rented medical facilities for a few weeks before...

Something has shifted in how South Africans think about getting away. The automatic pull of international trips or the same beach town every December is giving way to travel that feels more considered and more local. Experiences now need to be meaningful, restorative and rooted in place, rather than another box ticked on a familiar itinerary. At the same time, the line between “business trip” and “holiday” has blurred almost completely. A midweek conference in Gqeberha or Cape Town now easily...

In recent weeks, South Africa has found itself in a familiar but uncomfortable debate. Comments suggesting that young people are “basking in the sun” rather than applying for jobs have sparked widespread pushback, particularly among a generation facing one of the toughest employment landscapes in decades. The backlash has been telling. For many young South Africans, the issue is not a lack of ambition or effort, but a shortage of opportunities. Formal jobs remain scarce, graduate roles are...

Mall of Africa continues to cement its position as one of the continent’s most influential retail destinations, unveiling an impressive line-up of new store openings and relocations. From global luxury heavyweights to proudly South African brands, the latest additions reflect a carefully curated retail strategy that brings international style and local relevance together under one roof. Coach Luxury retail takes a confident step forward with the opening of Coach , one of only a handful of...

After receiving more than 500 submissions from across South Africa, the Betway Cares Foundation has announced the Top 12 finalists for its Voices of Her mentorship programme, a career-building initiative designed to support emerging female artists with the tools to build sustainable, long-term careers in music. Representing nine provinces, the selected finalists will take part in a two-week, in-person mentorship residency in Johannesburg, followed by five weeks of structured virtual...

Driven by an appreciation for local quality and world-class, design-led living, more South Africans are investing in premium experiences that bring luxe bar energy into their own homes. “People are curating their lives and spaces with intent,” says Trevor Brewer, Director at consumer technology specialist Solenco. “They want elegance, but on their own terms.” South Africa stands out among leading luxury growth markets, with 15% expected growth in 2025, alongside Sweden (12%), India (10%) and...

Every year, there’s one colour that quietly signals what’s coming next. Not just what we’ll wear, but how we’ll live with it. How we’ll feel in our spaces, what we’ll gravitate toward, and what starts to matter more. For 2026, that colour is Transformative Teal. WGSN and Coloro have named Transformative Teal their Colour of the Year for 2026, and this one feels especially intentional. It’s a fluid blend of deep blue and aquatic green, landing somewhere between calm and momentum. Not...

Mrs South Africa, powered by iME, is setting the tone for the year ahead with a clear declaration; 2026 belongs to the formidable woman . Entries for the new pageant season are officially open, and married women from across the country are already stepping forward in remarkable numbers. It’s no surprise, the legacy of the past three queens reads like a modern blueprint for impact-driven leadership. Tshego Gaelae made history as the first Black woman to be crowned Mrs World. Erin-Jane Miller...

If you’ve been thinking about switching things up for the new year, the Butterfly Bob is calling your name. Think soft layers, face-framing pieces, and a playful movement that feels both flirty and effortlessly chic. It’s like the lovechild of a shag and a ‘90s layered cut; voluminous, textured, and full of personality. Unlike a traditional bob, the Butterfly Bob is less structured, with soft, feathery layers that give it a light, airy feel. Shorter pieces frame the face, creating the...

Close your eyes and picture this: a warm brownie fresh out of the oven, glossy in the middle, slightly crackly on top, and just rich enough to feel indulgent. Now imagine that energy… on your nails. That’s exactly where Brownie Pudding nails live. This trend is cozy, girly, and unapologetically foodie, serving dessert vibes without being literal or kitschy. It’s for anyone who loves their beauty looks the same way they love their sweets: rich, warm, and perfectly done. The magic of Brownie...

Pantone’s newest proclamation has arrived, and it’s unexpectedly gentle. For 2026, the global authority on colour turns its attention to a shade that whispers rather than shouts. PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer , a soft, airy white with a quiet presence steps into the spotlight as the Color of the Year. In a moment defined by sensory overload and nonstop momentum, Pantone chose a colour that invites stillness, clarity, and a return to the essentials. It arrives as a breath-out moment in a...

The Purple Profile Picture Movement Sweeping South Africa is Deeper Than You May Think

FirstRand is deepening its presence in Africa. The financial services group, through its subsidiary FNB Zambia, has acquired Standard Chartered Zambia PLC’s (SCBZ) Wealth and Retail Banking business, a move that solidifies its expansion strategy across the continent. The acquisition, which includes ZMW 1.6 billion (R1.25 billion) in loans, ZMW 5.2 billion (R4.05 billion) in deposits, and ZMW 3.8 billion (R2.96 billion) in wealth assets under management, represents one of the largest retail...

Hair is more than a style choice, it’s an extension of your personality, a reflection of your health, and an essential part of self-care. While salon treatments and styling products can create instant results, lasting hair growth starts at the root. In 2025, the beauty world is looking to nature, rediscovering ancient herbs and oils that nourish the scalp, strengthen strands, and promote healthy growth. From Ayurvedic staples to Moroccan beauty secrets, these 7 ingredients are your new go-to...

The Of Soul & Joy (OSJ) Project  marks a major milestone this October as it hosts the 5th edition of its Photo Festival, celebrating 13 years of nurturing photographic talent and creative storytelling in South Africa. Taking place on Saturday, 18 October at Buhlebuzile Secondary School in Thokoza, the festival will showcase the evolution of young photographers who have grown within the project and the communities that continue to inspire them. Since its inception, OSJ has trained and mentored...

The 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show wasn’t just a return, it was a reinvention. Hosted in New York City, the show delivered a stunning fusion of nostalgia and new energy, bringing together legacy Angels, rising models, and artists who define today’s idea of beauty. The star-studded runway featured familiar faces like Ashley Graham, Adriana Lima, Gigi Hadid, Anok Yai, Candice Swanepoel, and Paloma Elsesser, each donning intricate lingerie and the return of the brand’s signature angel...

In a move set to reshape Africa’s media landscape, French media giant Canal+ has officially completed its acquisition of MultiChoice Group (MCG), South Africa’s largest pay-TV operator. The takeover, finalized on 10 October, grants Canal+ 94.4% ownership of MultiChoice’s issued ordinary shares, effectively bringing the company under its full control. This acquisition marks the largest transaction in Canal+’s history, underscoring the company’s ambitions to consolidate its operations across...

It’s not every day that two fashion powerhouses come together to make history, but Foschini and Rich Mnisi have done exactly that....

Every employer knows the impact of poor mental health on performance. What’s less visible but just as damaging—is the financial stress...

The Miss South Africa Top 9 are here and they’re bringing beauty, brains, and serious star power. This year’s finalists prove that...

All images: Courtesey of Ceremony Matcha Bar There’s a new address for calm in Cape Town. Ceremony Matcha Bar has opened its doors on the...

What began as a mission to help women feel their absolute best has now evolved into something even more luminous: helping them glow their...

For nearly three decades, South African Fashion Week (SAFW) has been the stage where the country’s most visionary designers unveiled...