Sexy Summer Cocktails

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Mixers, Sundowners, Cocktails… Whatever you like to call them, there is nothing more pleasurable than sipping something sweet on the beachfront at sunset.

With cocktail trends changing with the setting of each sun, Soviet brings you 10 of our favourite Summer Cocktails that will inspire a sense of enjoyment, refreshment and relaxation:


The Strawberry Puff:

Pink, fluffy and classically milkshake-like, the Strawberry Puff has a sense of brightness and freshness that one would expect from a real strawberry. The Hayman’s Old Tom Gin and Lemon adds a well-played citrus flavour, complementing the zesty strawberry contribution. It’s not too sweet, or heavy, as most creamy cocktails can be.

Ingredients:

- Hayman’s Old Tom Gin
- Strawberries
- Lemon
- Cream


Illuminati:

The Illuminati is a Mezcal-based cocktail made with 5 variants of orange-based ingredients. Although it might come across as an orange-flavoured adult drink, it isn’t. It has a graceful, feminine taste, with subliminal citrus flavours.

Ingredients:

- Sombra Mezcal
- Sobeso
- Santa Teresa Orange Rhum
- Luxardo Tripulm
- Scrappy’s Seville Orange Bitters
- Fee Brothers West Indian Orange Bitters



Taco Truck:

Putting a whole new spin on the drink of the season, Mezcal, the Taco Truck is a smoky, balanced, surprisingly light “Liquid Taco” that gives you the grilled al pastor and pineapple aromas of LA Taco trucks. The Sweet Vermouth and Mezcal pairing is surprisingly perfect, and is beautifully rounded off with Pineapple and Cinnamon-infused Campari.

Ingredients:

- Mezcal
- Pineapple and Cinnamon-infused Campari
- Sweet Vermouth



Beaverdusa Punch:

A soft, smooth cocktail that reminds you of the falling leaves of Autumn, the Beaverdusa Punch is made from Bourbon, Rye and the Elderflower infused St. Germain. Mixed with light, sea-tasting Japanese Sencha Tea and lemon, to give it a curious twist, and a spicy combination of peppercorn, clove and allspice berries.

Ingredients:

- Bourbon
- Rye
- Scotch
- St. Germain
- Sencha Tea
- Lemon
- Oleo-saccharum


Mr. Blue Sky:

Imagine yourself in a traditional Italian village, in the middle of spring, with a cocktail in your hand. That cocktail is a Mr. Blue Sky. The light, frothy, robin-egg-blue cocktail is the perfect combination of gin, liqueur, lemon, egg-white, Sambuca and evaporated cane sugar, giving you a sweet, floral aroma and a little taste of herbaceous gin. Mmmmm...

Ingredients:

- St. George Botanivore Gin
- Iris Liqueur
- Bitter Truth Violet
- Lemon
- Egg-white
- Evaporated Cane Sugar
- Luxardo Sambuca



Cowboy Killer:

Rich, dark, smoky… Whether you smoke or not, this tobacco-infused drink will have you reminiscing about nights spent next to a roaring campfire. The unique sweetness of Griff’s Cowboy Whiskey, blended with the cinnamon spice of the Chocolate Chili Bitters, gives you a complex taste that you need to sip slowly. And with the typical characteristics of smoking a cig, the tobacco-infused syrup will only contribute to the heady rush of this cocktail.

Ingredients:

- Griff’s Cowboy Whiskey
- Chocolate Chili Bitters
- Tobacco-infused Syrup

Los Muertos:

Just like the Mexican festival that celebrates the day of the dead, Los Muertos is a complex, bitter-sweet cocktail that will leave you crying tears of joy. The bitter-sweet theme is followed through in every ingredient: the exotic, Angostura Bitters-based, cinnamon and liquorice infused Amaro di Angostura, the slightly bitter end of the sweet Montenegro Amaro and the dark chocolate taste of Chocolate Mole Bitters. Cinnamon and spicy, this drink combines old fashioned aromas with trends from the new age.

Ingredients:

- Amaro di Angostura
- Montenegro Amaro
- Chocolate Mole Bitters


Rose Jose:

The general rule is to never mix drinks, and we can imagine that alternating between Tequila and Rose wine might end up badly. But with the Rose Jose, the refreshing, combination is so delicious that the pain might be worth the pleasure. Tequila Blanco and Rose is mixed with rhubarb, pink peppercorn, lemon and seltzer. Beware: it still kicks like Tequila.

Ingredients:

- Rose Wine
- Tequila Blanco
- Rhubarb
- Pink Peppercorn
- Lemon
- Seltzer


Surf Report:

What would Summer be without a little taste of the ocean? Well, now you can taste the beach in a glass with this ocean-inspired cocktail. A gin-based mix with Dry Vermouth, and a sprinkle of black pepper, Surf Report features a unique ingredient, “Salt Air”. A creative replacement for an abrasive salt rim, “Salt Air” uses lime juice, a pair of salts, cucumber juice, mint syrup and Sucro (an emulsifying agent that traps air bubbles and has aerating properties). The drink is refreshingly savoury, and deliciously perfect.

Ingredients:

- Gin
- Lime Juice
- Dry Vermouth
- Mint Leaves
- Cucumber
- Anisette
- Sea Salt
- Black Pepper


Sacred Cow:

If you like creamy, exotic cocktails, this Indian Food inspired drink is for you. The thoughtful blend of creamy and sweet, aromatic ingredients creates an incredible lassi-type texture. Think creamy, velvet sweetness.

Ingredients:


- Sloane’s Gin
- Yoghurt and Apricot Liqueur
- Lemon
- Honey
- Egg-white
- Saffron Bitters
- Pistachio Crumble

Soviet Parties in Plettenberg Bay

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Soviet Roots Itself in Forest Hill City Shopping Mall

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On 26 November 2015, Soviet Denim, the premium, on-trend denim and apparel brand, will be debuting their brand new retail store in Centurion. The store will be providing customers with various ranges of the latest denim collections, accessories and footwear for men, women and children.

The store is designed to fall in line with the current “Real People. Real Denim” campaign. With a rustic look and feel, natural textures and a contemporary atmosphere, the interior decor sets the rhythm for a first-class shopping experience.

A unique lifestyle destination, the Soviet store will provide customers the opportunity to discover the art of denim and fashion intertwined with the quality and durability of a true South African brand.

No effort was spared in creating a premium-interior that is on trend and comfortable, mimicking the same experience you would have shopping at a New York City premium retail store. Practically, the store also follows an ergonomic design, making it easier for customers to find what they want.

Serving as a gateway into the world of denim apparel, the Soviet store will celebrate an official grand opening on Thursday, 26 November 2015, with various specials and discounts available on the day, while stock lasts.

Visit Store 141A in the Forest Hill City Shopping Mall, cnr. Maree and Marius street, Centurion for the full denim experience.

Top 10 Power Denim Adverts That Made the Cut

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From Brooke Shields and Kate Moss, to Flat Eric and some unknowingly brave cowgirl, the past 50 years have brought us many iconic adverts that have not only become well-known, but have also skyrocketed the featuring brand into legendary status.

Soviet pays tribute to the top 10 denim adverts:

Levi’s Laundrette: What do you get when you mix the handsome 80’s model Nick Kamen, some rocks and a Laundrette of women, with a pair of seemingly ordinary jeans? Well, if you are director Roger Lyons, you get one of the most memorable TV adverts ever made. Levi’s nailed this 185 short right on the head with a heady combination of rebellion, sex-appeal and Marvin Gaye’s “Grapevine”.


Brooke Shields: Arguably one of the most controversial child stars of all time, Brooke Shields was a mere 15 years old when she starred in the CK Calvin Klein Jeans commercial. With its innovative imagery and alluring sex appeal, CK set the foundation for an everlasting brand image. The ad also revolutionised the way Denim companies would approach their adverts in the future.


UpUp: Never the type to conform, Diesel launched a series of radically iconic and totally bizarre commercials in the 1990’s. Like most fashion adverts, the “Diesel for Successful Living” dripped with colour and sex appeal. However, Diesel added their signature ironic, absurd and shocking flair to it. The UpUp TV advert was a perfect example of this.


The Wrangler Rodeo: At the heart of the Wrangler heritage, was the old-fashioned American cowboy. This theme was prominent in their advertising throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s. With a humouristic approach, Wrangler showed off their ranch-inspired, durable denims with a fire-fighting, busty blonde capturing the attention of the male market.


The Buddy-Lee Series: Using Lee’s “Buddy Lee” doll as the never-say-die heroic character in a series of adverts, director Frederick Bond created a brand new spin on Denim advertising in the new millennium. Each advert featured Buddy Lee taking on a random challenge, like Go-Karting or Kung Fu, against one of his three nemeses. In an age of sex appeal and almost-naked models, this was definitely something that stood out.


Flat Eric: With the Muppets flourishing, and pop-culture rearing its head from every corner, Bartle Bogle Hegarty created one of Levi’s most popular commercials of all time. Flat Eric and his human accomplice, Angel, are seen cruising the streets while listening to some dirty house tunes. The second installment sees them pulled over by a policeman, and their boot being inspected. The policeman finds nothing but perfectly pressed clothes. The advert, seemingly random, revived Levi’s brand and skyrocketed the Sta-Prest range into fashion.


Marky Mark Wahlberg: It seems Calvin Klein had a pennant for creating controversy behind its advertising campaigns and with Pure American bad-boy, Mark Wahlberg, as their brand representative, the brand did exactly that in the 1990’s. Featuring Mark and relatively unknown model Kate Moss in a provocative advert, Calvin Klein defined the “Heroin Chic” look of the time.


Just On: It isn’t often that a brand inspires a whole song, nevermind a legendary hit song. But it seems that the 1970’s Brutus commercial did just that for singer David Dundas. Produced by Saatchi & Saatchi, the ad was way ahead of its time and made quite an impact on the industry.


Musical Denim: If sex sells, then music sells out. The Gap used this sentiment to their advantage, and in the 1990’s got popular music artist and bands (LL Cool J, Luscious Jackson and Aerosmith) to feature in various commercials. The music did the trick and The Gap made their mark.


Jordache: With the same look and feel as the 1980’s hit movie, The Breakfast Club, mixed with a slightly more sexual CK appeal, Jordache created a number of slightly bizarre TV commercials.


Soviet, a uniquely South African brand, takes inspiration from these great leaders and adds its own Soviet Style to create inspiring advertising that will get your blood pumping in no time. Visit our Soviet stores to get a glimpse of our steaming High Summer 2015 campaign. With gorgeous Soviet clad models, exploring and enjoying life in the hot South African sun, you won't have to go back in time to find your favourite jeans and denim apparel for this Summer.

Angels on the Catwalk

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Once a year the fashion industry gets together to witness heaven on earth as the famous lingerie fashion brand, Victoria’s Secret, puts its most beautiful models on a catwalk to display their latest creations.

In the 1990’s, Victoria’s Secret started working with renowned models in order to build brand awareness within the industry. The campaign, featuring models such as Stephanie Seymour, Karen Mulder, Yasmeen Ghauri, Jill Goodacre and Frederique van der Wal, took off and soon TV commercials of the girls were featured all across the world.

Angels, one of the brand’s popular lines at the time, was launched in 1997, and with it came the first Victoria’s Secret Angels. Their first runway debut was made in 1998, and from then on became one of the most prestigious projects for any model - a career-maker, as many in the industry call it. Some of the models that have been featured include: Heidi Klum, Miranda Kerr, Gisele Bundchen, Tyra Banks and Alessandra Ambrosio.

On 10 November 2015, in New York City, the fashion brand spared no effort as it celebrated its 20th anniversary, and once again we were graced with the breathtaking pageantry that people have come to expect from the Victoria’s Secret Angels.

From over 500 women auditioning to be part of the special event, only 44 were chosen, including reality TV-star-turned-model Kendall Jenner, as well as best friend Gigi Hadid. Of the 44, a total of 15 models were chosen as Victoria’s Angels, making it the most models selected since the start of the show. These lucky girls included:


1. Adriana Lima


2. Alessandra Ambrosio


3. Behati Prinsloo


4. Candice Swanepoel


5. Lily Aldridge
6. Elsa Hosk
7. Jac Jagaciak
8. Jasmine Tookes
9. Kate Grigorieva
10. Lais Ribeiro
11. Martha Hunt
12. Romee Strijd
13. Sara Sampaio
14. Stella Maxwell
15. Taylor Hill

The Angels, as well as models Joan Smalls, Lais Ribeiro, Martha Hunt, Jasmine Tookes, Stella Maxwell and Monika 'Jac' Jagaciak were featured on the brand's first ever Swim Special.

The show also featured performers Ellie Goulding, Selena Gomez and The Weekend as entertainment, adding more glamour and funk to the highly publicised event (with more than 500 million people tuning in from over 189 countries).

Of course, the event was followed by a celebratory after party, attended by all the models and several high-status celebrities. The after party was held at Tao Restaurant in downtown New York and was decked out in the brand's signature bright pink colour palette.

Finding True Love in a Pair of Jeans

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What do you do when your favourite jeans are in the wash and, for some inexplicable reason, you find yourself without your fashion go-to for the day?

The answer is easy…

You grab your SO’s favourite pair (it’s what they are there for, right?)!

Boyfriend jeans are a style that we frown upon, but  we all love it deep down. However, it’s not as simple as flinging your boyfriend’s jeans on. Some styles can overwhelm your body and make you look a few kilograms heavier. Other styles might not be appropriate for the season, or might not suit your style at all.

If you’re going to embrace the look, you need to find the right pair to live “happily ever after” in. With these jean-hacks, finding your perfect pair is easier than finding your perfect man:

Petite Frame: 

If you are going to wear these jeans in a baggy, over-sized style without a  tapered ankle, you run the risk of drowning your body, and it looking like you are wearing a potato sack. Try finding a slim/skinny fit with a tapered leg. This will give you that slouchy look, but with a whole lot less material. Also try to avoid awkwardly cropped jeans, as these will make you look shorter.


Tall Frame: 

If you have long pegs, count your blessings. Boyfriend jeans, of any style, were pretty much made for you. A baggy fit will probably suit you best. Wear them slung low on the hips with a tight shirt to give you that chilled-out look. Because you have never-ending under-limbs, you can also wear the jeans cropped, the perfect Summer Style Solution.


Curvy Frame: 

Senorita, don’t be alarmed. If you have Beyonce-style curves, you too can wear boyfriend jeans. Just like the petite girl, stick to a skinny fit with a tapered leg. This will show off your figure, without making you look bigger and shapeless.



Boyish Frame: 

If your figure is more slim and straight (like a ruler), then baggy boyfriend jeans are for you. The extra fabric and cut of the jean will give you more curves and accentuate your flattering figure. Except for the baggy-rule, follow the petite and tall tips, to whichever length describes you best.


Extra Tips:

1. Make sure the back pockets on slimmer boyfriend jeans are smaller and flattering.
2. Make sure cropped boyfriend jeans hit at a flattering height on your calves.
3. The slimmer the cuff at the hem, the longer your legs will look.
4. Try to avoid large, square shaped pockets. They aren’t flattering from behind.
5. Try to choose a wash that looks authentic, lived in and real.
6. Make sure your jeans fit a little tighter to begin with as they will stretch a lot with wear.

If you don't have a pair of boyfriend jeans, or you would like to get your boyfriend his own pair (since you have taken over his), drop in at you nearest Soviet Denim store. With a wide range of denim apparel, it will be like shopping for your perfect partner.

Wine2Whales: Soviet Succeeds

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Soviet in the Summer Sun

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1. The sun is most intense between 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon. If you do, however, find yourself in the sun during these times, make sure you cover up with a hat and clothing made of dark, tightly woven materials.

2. Summer is about sunscreen. Apply a thick coat of SPF 30 or more on your skin every 2 hours, and every hour if you are swimming or sweating.

3. The early bird catches the worm, and the responsible sunbather applies their sunscreen early. Apply sunscreen 20-30 minutes before going into the sun, and if you have fair skin, try applying it the night before as well. Remember sunscreen for your lips too.

4. Too many people forget about their ears, hands, nose and chest. A canvas hat works the best to give your face extra protection.

5. Umbrellas and shade only provide moderate protection from ultraviolet light, and they offer no protection from reflected light, such as concrete and sand. Water also does not protect you from ultraviolet rays. Make sure you are protected from these reflected rays, even if you are only walking about in the city.

6. Bronzed, glowing skin is beautiful, there’s no denying it. But beautiful isn’t necessarily healthy. And while sunbathing is a no-no for everyone, it is especially bad for fair-skinned people. If you insist on getting browned, do so gradually and build up melanin to provide some protection.

7. Don’t be fooled by cold, rainy and cloudy weather. These are often the most dangerous conditions for your skin and you can still get burnt. Cover up with appropriate clothing and sunscreen to avoid getting hurt.

8. Some medication, such as antibiotics and laxatives, make your skin extra sensitive to the sun. Put on a higher SPF if you are going to spend time outdoors while on medication, or make sure you cover up well.

9. Many people resort to tanning beds or tanning booths believing the UVA lights are safer than sunbathing. Unfortunately, UVA rays penetrate deeper than UVB rays, and over time can make skin dry, wrinkled and increase your chances of getting skin cancer.

10. Don’t use expired sunscreen. As time goes by, sunscreen can lose its potency and its ability to protect your skin. Look for an expiration date on the packaging, or don’t use it after 3 years of purchasing.

Wine2Whale: Pedaling for a Purpose

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A Fashion Facelift: Soviet Re-opens its Canal Walk Store in Cape Town

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Wine2Whales: Introducing Our Heroes

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 Reon Smal: