If you happen to be traversing the small town of Barre on foot over the weekend and find yourself beckoned inside the pink-and-lime green shop of Cakes by Amanda, you might think you have entered another trendy cupcake joint. You will want to savor it while it lasts, knowing that the cupcake boom is due for crash — or so many forecasters predict.

But if owner Amanda Russell has anything to do with it, her shop — which is dressed up like a cupcake shop during its open hours, but has a few trade secrets behind closed doors — won't be going anywhere.

"I've put everything I had into this business, so I really have no choice but to succeed," she said. Part of that success, she knows, means making some confections to put out for weekend customers who stop by for a coffee and to take quick refuge in the warmth and welcome of the cozy shop's café tables.

Behind the scenes, she runs a bustling custom cake business, with each week's roster including five to 10 occasion cakes and two or three wedding cakes. While she tries not to say no to an order, there is also something in her small-business model that appeals to customers — particularly brides.

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"They like to know that they aren't one of 20 cakes going out that weekend," she explained. So far, Ms. Russell delivers each wedding cake in person, something she has found that brides are drawn to. With her own wedding slated for later this year, she has a soft spot for working with brides; she spends the off-season, December to April, attending bridal expos and holding tastings.

"They trust that I am not only going to do a great job, but that they don't have to worry about it," Ms. Russell said. "I am totally focused on them and I am going to make sure their cake arrives on time and exactly what they wanted."

A 2004 graduate of Quabbin Regional High School, Ms. Russell went to art school at Monserrat in Beverly on the North Shore. Toward the end of her junior year, though, her life changed instantly when her sister, Angella, was killed in a car accident. There was no question — she was coming home.

She freelanced for several years and did some bartending in addition to working at several Worcester-area bakeries. It was in those bakeries where she learned about the hard work and dedication that goes into the business, and she didn't see the point in working so hard for someone else's dream.

At 29, she opened her shop in a former nail salon tucked behind a small office building at the center of Barre in June 2014. Without using a single credit card or credit line, she instead tapped money she had saved while trying to decide where she wanted to go with her career.

"I have always known that I would not be happy working for someone else," she said. "There was also never a question that I would do something artistic."

From the cakes that rival anything you would see on the Food Network, to the chalkboard art in the sitting area, Ms. Russell's artistic abilities run the show. But it is ultimately her commitment to her clients that generates more word-of-mouth business.

There is irony, of course, in the fact that Ms. Russell is gluten intolerant and works in a veritable creative avalanche of gluten. It doesn't make her love her creations any less.

Her recipes are tried and true, handed down from her grandmother, from whom she inherited a love for baking. To this day, her grandmother won't accept a discount on the goodies sold at the shop, even though she was one of the dozens of friends and family members who helped remodel the shop to get it ready for launch last year.

"She watches me like a hawk at the register to make sure I don't even give her 10 cents off," Ms. Russell said and laughed.

For more information, find her on Facebook by searching "Cakes by Amanda." The shop at 16 Cat Alley is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with private appointments available throughout the week.

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The creative director spent a decade redefining the Italian fashion house and transforming it into the powerhouse brand it is today, before his very public departure in 2004 — but a new report says the designer’s name is on the shortlist. Would you be happy if he returned to the Gucci?

Will Tom Ford reprise his role at Gucci, 11 years after leaving the brand? Although the fashion world would never imagine the day when Tom returned to take the helm, (once again), a new report published in Page Six claims that his name is on top of the shortlist of designers being considered to replace Frida Giannini after her early departure, which came a month before she was slated to exit the fashion house.

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Tom Ford’s Gucci Return?

Tom’s work at Gucci was unprecedented — it was like everything he touched turned to gold, (and major dollar signs), during his 10-year stint, which spanned from 1994-2004. The designer breathed life into the Italian fashion house and under his direction business was booming, as he infused a sexy, glamorous and covetable edge into his designs. Controversial ad campaigns and Tom’s celeb fans clad in the collection also generated more buzz around the label, (which, prior to his arrival, was quite lackluster). His role also granted him creative control over Yves Saint Laurent, and his monopoly over the collections became a sore spot as time went on.

Why Tom Ford’s Return Seems Unlikely:

While Tom’s return might sound like a dream come true, the road back to the brand isn’t an easy one. After all, the designer’s departure played out quite publicly, as did the decline in the relationship between Tom and Francois-Henri Pinault. Along with creative differences, the fact that Tom had almost become bigger than the brand itself was an issue for the brand’s parent company.

So, aside from a sour exit, what else stands in the way of making our fashion dreams a reality? Since his departure, Tom has turned his focus into the success of his eponymous brand, which he founded in 2006 — and taking the helm at the Italian fashion house would certainly take a toll on his role at his very own label. The designer is also more focused on family these days, as he has a husband and a 2-year-old son at home. Tom was quite vocal regarding the demanding toll the creative director role took on him — a sentiment that is shared by many famous designers tasked with running an iconic fashion house, producing multiple collections a year and keeping up with the politics associated with the position.

Along with Tom, Hedi Slimane, Joseph Altuzarra and Riccardo Tisci are said to be in the running for the position.

With everything on the table, would he really consider reprising his role? Sure, it seems veryunlikely, but never say never. We all know the fashion world loves a great comeback story — and Tom’s resurrection might be just what Gucci needs, (even if it never happens).

What do you make of the latest rumors surrounding the label?

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Keeping with tradition, we've tapped another major celeb stylist to survey the Golden Globes red carpet's very best looks. As our sister site Racked National points out, there were many feats and flops on the scene last night, so we're leaving it to a professional—star go-toAnita Patrickson—to identify who managed to dodge the blah.

In addition to dressing babes like Marisa Tomei and Chanel Iman, Patrickson recently co-founded The International Style Institute, which is making its debut in partnership with Simply Stylist at The Grove on February 27th. (Learn more and buy tickets here.) Now, onto her picks.

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1. Sienna Miller in Miu Miu: "This dress is the perfect blend of elegant and fresh yet completely glamorous and with a vintage feel to it. Just when you think Sienna can't possibly be the best dressed yes AGAIN.. she pulls it out the bag! Her tousled bob and simple one strap metallic sandals compliment the shape and embellishments on the dress, each element balancing the other perfectly."

2. Naomi Watts in Gucci: "Sunshine yellow has been a huge trend on the runways and the bright sunny hue is perfect on the fair haired actress. Perfectly paired with her Bulgari show-stopping white diamond snake necklace and gorgeous red lip."

3. Emma Stone in Lanvin: "I'm a sucker for a jumpsuit and this one is next level. The perfect blend of fun and chic. It's a quirky twist on a black tie look, highlighting her gorgeous figure and bubbly personality. I love her fun, red, choppy bob juxtaposed with the bejeweled bodice and simple black pants."

4. Kate Hudson in Versace: "White hot Kate has the perfect body for this form fitting laced up sexy gown with a plunging neckline. Kate's sleek hair and minimal accessories paired with the simplicity and clean silhouette of the dress are what makes this a red carpet statement. Less is definitely more in this case!"

5. Dakota Johnson in Chanel Haute Couture: "This dress is like liquid mercury! Chanel couture is tough to beat and this shimmery and uber glamorous gown is the perfect choice for this major Hollywood red carpet and mega moment for this A list star. Keeping the shoes and jewels monochromatic and the effortless undone nature of Dakotas signature bangs and textured hair balance out the sparkly beadwork on the gown."

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The red carpet — that staple of award shows — is bad for fashion. This wasn’t always so, but now it is.

The benefits celebrities reap from the season of step-and-repeat, which begins in earnest with Sunday’s Golden Globe Awards, are significant, whether it is a boost to a level of acclaim that their résumé does not support or a steady stream of attention while they await their next role. What do designers get? The opportunity to create a pretty — but safe — formal gown that briefly amuses the eye but does little to move the fashion needle.

Actors such as Jessica Chastain, Jennifer Lawrence, Lupita Nyong’o and Eddie Redmayne have all used fashion as a way of propelling themselves forward — faster than their admirable acting chops alone would have done. They glow in the pop culture galaxy, swooned over in Vogue and GQ — their aesthetic acumen conflated with their acting skills.

It is hard to blame them for their efforts. Hollywood no longer is producing the kind of matinee idols of yore, the ones whose very presence on the big screen could send consumers running to the box office. We still have stars to transport us, the beleaguered, to fantasyland, but they are not built by Hollywood alone. Designers have become part of the myth-making machine — as important as the lighting director, the makeup artist and the hairstylist. And almost as invisible.

The morning after a splendid showing on the red carpet, after everyone has discussed who looked marvelous and who should try harder, few people are rhapsodizing over the skill of a bias cut or the brilliant use of beading. The designer names go virtually unmentioned. It’s all about Lupita’s (Ralph Lauren) cape, Pharrell’s (Vivienne Westwood) hat and Rihanna’s (Tom Ford) pasties.

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In the fashion salons of New York, Milan and Paris, workers may be keeping score: Did more women wear Versace than Valentino? Designers and manufacturers may be sussing out a trend or two from the kleig-lit promenade. Perfect for prom! But in the broader world, where all the hard work of an atelier is supposed to get noticed, in our consideration of the red carpet, the designer is no longer essential.

During award show season, the clothes flow by like bonbons on a conveyor belt. We consume the delights so quickly that we can’t fully appreciate them. The umpteenth Versace gown no longer feels special — even if it happens to be an especially nice one. And the more times stars are asked “Who made your dress?,” the faster we forget the answer.

Moving beyond celebrity

In the beginning, which is to say back in 1988 when Giorgio Armani opened his Beverly Hills boutique and proceeded to dress actress Michelle Pfeiffer elegantly and uniquely in a navy cocktail suit for the Academy Awards, the wardrobing of an actor for the red carpet was one of the few ways for designers to rocket their name into the pop culture vernacular.

Back then, the inner loop of the fashion industry consisted of designers, models and editors. A celebrity sighting at a fashion show was something worth bragging about. And to dress an Oscar nominee was a coup. Award shows were rare and the light shone so brightly on the stars who were well-dressed — because not all of them were; in fact, most of them weren’t — that everyone in their orbit was gloriously illuminated, including the designers. Who made your dress? The answer — Armani, Prada, Badgley Mischka, Vera Wang — could transform a lucky designer’s business.

That was more than 25 years ago.

Today, designers, whether they believe it or not, no longer need the wattage of celebrities to bring them buzz, make them legit or otherwise bless them with cultural relevance. They have social media. Designers can star in their own television shows. They can live-stream their runway productions. Celebrities are no longer a boon; they are a crutch.

It is always flattering to have someone of the stature of Julianne Moore knock on a designer’s door in search of a fancy dress. It must be personally gratifying to make a young starlet feel like Cinderella for an evening. But celebrities need fashion — benefit from fashion — a lot more than designers now benefit from stars. Indeed, one of the most sought-after handbag brands of the last season, the upstart Mansur Gavriel, has no celebrity endorsers. And one of Hollywood’s long-favored brands, Gucci, is sorting through financial woes.

For celebrities, however, fashion is more necessary than ever. They are constantly Instagramming their own self-consciously styled lives —Solange goes glamping at Joshua Tree! — and paparazzi hunt stars even when they’re just walking out of the gym. But nothing beats an awards show red carpet. An appearance there in just the right look has the potential to turn starlets into style icons and make a convincing argument that a class clown can play a leading man.

Few actors have managed to remain — seemingly — disengaged from fashion while staying atop the heap. Only the great Meryl Streep immediately comes to mind. Some, such as Johnny Depp, have cast themselves as fashion eccentrics. Others such as Jodie Foster and, now, Angelina Jolie, have eschewed glamour for studied intellectualism. But all of them, in some way, use fashion.

Jolie is actively using it to announce her transition from actress to director. After her right leg inspired its own meme at the 2012 Oscars, she is now dressing discreetly. The white Ralph & Russo dress with its matching capelet that she wore to the British premiere of her film “Unbroken” would have been equally at home at Sunday church service.

Ralph & Russo, founded in 2007, is the first British label to become part of the official Paris haute couture schedule in a century. Jolie has been relying on it for clothes that are elegant and highbrow — and befitting a serious filmmaker. What does Ralph & Russo get from this association? Well, now you’ve heard of Ralph & Russo.

There used to be more surprises on the red carpet. Not strange Cher tomfoolery, but moments when a barely known designer got a shot at the big formal gown and it captured the imagination. When Uma Thurman wore a lilac Prada gown to the Oscars in 1995, the Italian label was still relatively obscure. Now, the red carpet is controlled by major labels that strike exclusive deals with actresses or have the prestige to woo them into acquiescence. Few celebrities are willing to stray from the familiar litany: Armani, Valentino, Dior, Chanel, Versace, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Prada and Tom Ford. Names repeated so often we’ve gone deaf to them.

Small design houses barely stand a chance. And at its worst, the red carpet sucks young designers into creating one-of-a-kind gowns that they cannot afford to make in the hopes that lightning will strike and theirs will become the dress that everyone talks about the next morning. But even when that happens, it wasn’t Peter Som’s beautiful floral dress or Prabal Gurung’s grand red gown. It was Julie Bowen’s adventurous spirit and January Jones’s regal stance. Such a Catch-22: When designers are at their best, as these were, the applause should be for the woman and not the frock.

Setting the standard

Last year, Nyong’o made masterful use of fashion on the red carpet. She embraced an aesthetic that defined her as a new classic. Nyong’o won the Oscar, but perhaps even more important, People magazine declared her the “most beautiful” woman in the world; Lancôme signed her to an endorsement deal; and Vogue ran a cover story that described her as a “deity.”

Rihanna’s star has risen steadily higher — and it’s not due to her modest vocal range. Seventh Avenue declared the Grammy winner a fashion icon; she is a muse to French designer Olivier Rousteing and was the star of his Balmain advertising campaign. Last year, she was named creative director for Puma. Even Michael Jordan didn’t get to be creative director of Nike, and he was an actual athlete.

The fashion industry is so good at what it does. Its designers, stylists and photographers transform actors into gods and goddesses with an efficiency that Hollywood cannot match. They make us ogle celebrities. They help write the script for how we assess beauty, glamour and sex appeal.

But on the red carpet, the designer is just part of a village of tradesmen and crafts people. That’s the way Hollywood works. The sun only shines on the star.

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Winter is here, everybody. It’s been less than two weeks since the calendar officially plunged us into the solstice, so, on nights of freakish windchill and zero visibility, it may be hard to remember that in only a couple of months, spring will be a thing that exists.

So we're going to help you. Spring/summer shows were back in September, but that doesn’t mean we can’t pretend that, despite needing to wear no less than 14 layers for a short walk to the mailbox, spring has sprung. To convince you, here are 10 spring fashion trends of 2015 you can begin incorporating now, because damn it, we all deserve leather and fringe.

1. Leather

Leather is a must-have spring 2015 trend, which is excellent news for anyone who’d love an alternative to florals. Isabel Marant’s leather wrap dress is actually a perfect mid-season segway, especially if paired with Docs or a fur (faux or vintage) to play around with texture. It’s always leather-weather.

2. Long-Sleeve Dresses/Dress Suits

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Gucci did a terrific job of re-introducing the seventies back into our spring lexicons -- especially thanks to a long-sleeved, knee-length skirt you totally saw your mom wear to work once. (Although hers was probably more Sears than runway -- and that’s cool too.) Altuzarra kept it business chic as well, making this look the perfect one to weave throughout your existing winter wardrobe. Just please, for the love of all that is good, keep warm and wear tights.

3. Sweaters

Sweaters in January? We're breaking barriers, it’s true. But designers like Haider Ackerman and the geniuses at Valentino remembered that spring doesn’t always signal warm weather. (Or sun, or a lack of snow if you live in Canada.) So instead of drowning us in tank tops, they kept sleeves long, fabrics heavier, and paired them with long skirts and wide-legged pants. You can do the same -- or stick to heavier bottoms to balance winter and spring. Either way, the warmer, the better.

4. Green

There’s less an it-colour this season than there are a lot of colours, but after a few months of winter neutrals, you’re officially welcome to take the Jason Wu and Miu Miu route, interpreting the fresh tone in ways that complement the rest of your look and everything you wear with it. That’s actually one of the best parts of the spring 2015 colour spectrum: they fall pretty much in line with last spring’s, as well as with winter’s. (When we said “winter’s neutrals” before, we were talking only about the exterior landscape.)

5. Fancy Denim

Imagine we proposed “jeans” as the tie that binds between two seasons? (“Have you guys heard of jeans?”) Never. But instead, we will propose fancy and/or formal denim, as demonstrated via collections by Gucci (more seventies day-dresses) andThe Row (which is less “denim” than it is “a look you can achieve through denim”). Think a lighter texture, darker wash, and more vibrant stitching. Basically, think seventies or nineties -- the greatest decades of all.

6. No, But Seriously: The Nineties

Saying the nineties are back is kind of like Chandler Bing saying “this Internet thing’s here to stay.” (Obvious and wonderful.) But unlike the grunge-inspired looks of the later 2000s and early 2010s, 2015 sees a nineties resurgence of the dELiA’s and "Electric Circus" variety: ankle-length skirts (as per Chloe), platform sandals (Maison Martin Margiela), sequins and feathers (Ashish) are among some of the season’s most interesting choices, with a stress on colour, statements, and even hair mascara. Only in hell should you have to wait for spring to start running with these.

7. Metallics

The day any of us get tired of metallic anything is the day we can all meet on a bridge and throw our laptops over it. Fortunately, spring/summer 2015 upped its metallic ante thanks to turns by Barbara Bui, McQ Alexander McQueen, and Chanel that went shinier, bolder, and brighter. All of which can work with any winterwear you’ve got going on now.

8. Backpacks

It’s a travesty that for so long we suffered with messenger and/or plastic bags, but spring 2015 has allowed us to right that terrible wrong: backpacks are still present and accounted for next season, meaning you can strap one on now and laugh at your former self (while feeling terrible about her inevitable back and shoulder problems). Thank everybody from Jeremy Scott at Moschino to Saint Laurent, who care about our posture and also looking like the teens we wanted to be.

9. Detailed, Bold Graphics

Here’s something spring 2015 won’t be: boring. And even though floral graphics are 100 per cent playing a part in the wide world of seasonal trends (see: Preen by Thornton Bregazzi), they’re being executed in a unique, interesting way. Case in point: MSGM continued the geometric approach, while Thakoon mixed graphics and texture -- which brings us to our last point.

10. Texture

“Texture” is 100 per cent a spring trend you can blend into your winter wardrobe regimen, especially since every last piece of clothing contains it. So what do we mean here, other than to be unnecessarily complicated? Think: different fabrics on one piece. As mentioned, Thakoon combined fringe with a print, while Fendi changed everything you thought you knew about feathers. (Which, for some of us, is “they are attached to birds.”) Ultimately, some of the best pieces of this year are like collages you can wear. So if it seems out there or over-the-top or almost nonsensical, congratulations: you’re representing spring right. Now bring it into winter.

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The holidays may be over, but award season will soon be here! As we anxiously wait for the upcoming 2015 Golden Globes, we hold our breaths to see what the red carpet looks will bring us - from fashion to hair, our curiosity is peaked!

Each year, these trends dictate what we will see for the rest of red carpet season and ultimately what we will all want to try ourselves. So we decided to get a jump start and chat with Farouk Systems talented team of hair artists to get their style predictions:

Prediction 1: Romance. Think soft tousled hair. "We will see romantic, soft waves with side parts for long and short hair. Also, loosely swept backs coiffures. These looks will help to embellish lace adorned gowns, romantic prints and soft fabrics," said Tammy Mixon, Global Board Artist and lead Hair Artist for Miss Universe.

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To help achieve these looks, Tammy's favorite products to prep a set with are BioSilk Silk Therapy - applied lightly to the mid-shaft and ends. She also uses BioSilk Natural Hold Hairspray from the roots to the ends, on each section as its being set.

During the comb outs, Tammy recommends to lightly tap the brand's Volumizing Therapy Texturizing Powder into the roots and mid-shaft to add volume and texture. As for color, Mixon sees beautiful blondes, copper reds and pretty pinks making a big statement.

Prediction 2: Braids. Lorena Garcia, Creative Artist forecasts braids and predicts they will be incorporated into many red carpet styles. These will include all types of braided looks -- tight, loose or messy, enlivened by adding an accessory.

"Waves will also dominate the award ceremonies, but they will be sleek waves -- nothing messy, as well as straight sleek looks, combed straight back or with a down the center part," Garcia said.

To achieve these looks, Lorena recommends prepping the hair with CHI Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray to help protect hair against thermal styling heat. To style, Garcia uses the brand's Magnified Firm Hold Hairspray and finishes with Shine Spray for a polished look that will capture the spotlight.

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A customary court judge in Lagos, business capital of Nigeria, Mr Rufus Adeyeri, has said that adultery is threatening most marriages in the country.

Adeyeri, The President of Igando Customary Court, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos that most married men and women were engaged in extra-marital affairs for reasons best known to them.

“Most spouses are perpetrators of infidelity, they get involved in it for one reason or the other,’’ he said.

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Multiple couples in Nigeria

Adeyeri, who is also a marriage counselor, attributed the cause of infidelity to economic reason, said that many families could not meet up with responsibility of taking care of their homes.

According to him, there is a limit a woman can bear, when she discovers that her husband cannot provide for the family, she seeks assistance outside.

“The issue of money makes women to cheat on their husbands when he cannot meet their needs financially, she falls for a man who showers her with money.’’

He said that infidelity was just a way of life to some people; they could never be satisfied with one man or woman.

“They are just wired to be unfaithful, some are serial cheaters, they cheat for the thrill of it,’’ he said.

Adeyeri said that when spouses become unfaithful to each other, most of them resulted to divorce as the only solution. He said that many partners, who come to court for dissolution of their marriages, came alleging adultery on the part of their spouses.

The court president noted that insatiable sex could also lead to extra-marital affairs, pointing out that many spouses always accused one another of dissatisfaction or denial of sex.

“Many couples complain of being sex starved by their spouses or that they are not satisfied with their spouse’s sexual lives, while some couples withhold sex as a form of punishment for their spouses.’’

According to him, divorce has a social effect, especially on children, and the society is put at risk if the children are not catered for, they may turnout to be a nuisance to themselves and the society.

“Most of the children roaming the streets, committing havoc and those who drop out of school are mostly from divorced parents.’’

He said that no single man or woman could train a child effectively or provide adequate care no matter how rich he or she was, as God had made it the responsibility of both parents.

Adeyeri admitted that there was no perfect family in the world, no perfect man or woman, the couple must agreed together to make things work out.

“No marriage is made in heaven, spouses only agree to work together in unity,’’ he said.

He said that adultery set in when a partner feels neglected by his spouse, who pays more attention to his/her career, children or relatives, thereby leaving the partner no choice than to seek for attention outside the marriage.

He asserted that spending little time with your partner could increase the chance of infidelity.

According to him, the secret of a successful marriage is trust, patience, understanding, confidence and unity of purpose.

“Trust, understanding and patience are some of the important virtues that sustain a relationship, these virtues are the foundation of a strong bond between two people,’’ he opined.

The counsellor advised couples to always place their family on the rock of Jesus Christ as He is the head of the home.

He urged couples to be good communicators and listeners as this would strengthen their relationship.

“Couples should communicate effectively, avoid conversations that will cause their spouses pain, the more open you are the closer the bond you will have with your spouse.

“Partners must also be able to resolve conflicts effectively as every couple have disagreement. You should also accept that you cannot change your partner.’’

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Johannesburg - Julius Malema’s traditional wedding to Mantwa Matlala this weekend was full of the bling and drama expected from the charismatic and controversial leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

Before the big day, Malema bought his bride an expensive engagement ring glittering with blue diamonds, a source said on condition of anonymity.

The source said three weeks ago, Malema and his bride-to-be’s friends organised a grand surprise bridal shower for her at The Saxon Hotel in Sandton.

“There were about 15 ladies at the event. They were entertained by male strippers prancing up and down and stripping to the point of being almost naked.

“Prized Champagne was flowing and good fun was had by all. Obviously, she received many gifts from the friends,” said the source.

But not all of Malema’s close friends were celebrating with him this weekend – there had been a fallout over money.

City Press heard that Malema did not invite two of his closest friends, Collins Foromo and Jacob Lebogo, to the ceremony which started on Saturday and ended today in Malema’s home town of Seshego, Polokwane.

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Not a typical township wedding

On Saturday, Malema’s convoy of flashy German sedans could be heard from a distance, hooting as it snaked through Seshego Zone 1 to Matlala’s parents’ house.

Although he could not be clearly identified through the tinted windows of a gold Mercedes-Benz E-Class, a security official said Malema had been in the car leading the convoy.

He was sitting in the back with his grandmother, Sarah Malema, while his 8-year-old son, Ratanang, sat in front.

Locals crowded the street outside the Matlalas’ double-storey home dubbed “Shoprite” because of its size.

They were hoping to catch a glimpse of Malema and Matlala dancing to traditional songs after exchanging vows, but his was not to be a typical township wedding attended by all.

Security was tight around the Matlala house, the huge air-conditioned white marquee erected next to it and a security checkpoint 250m away.

Guards were dressed in black suits, white shirts and red ties.

Countless people were turned away as their names did not appear on the list, including members of the bride’s church and staunch EFF supporters in red berets.

Resplendent bride

Most community members were happy to stand at the checkpoint and greet famous faces.

They included EFF chairperson Dali Mpofu, Malema’s lawyer Tumi Mokwena – who arrived in a traditional Zulu leopard skin – former Muvhango actress Lerato Moloi, former Limpopo premierCassel Mathale and former MECs Pinky Kekana and Clifford Motsepe.

An unknown trio of guests arrived in a helicopter accompanied by bodyguards. including one carrying an automatic rifle. They landed 1km away and were driven to the venue in a Golf 7.

Inside the venue Matlala – surrounded by female friends and family – arrived in a burst of colour.

She was resplendent in a layered fuchsia tulle skirt and navy bodice with traditional detailing. A beaming Malema was more modestly dressed, in revolutionary chic, in a simple unembellished blue dashiki.

But outsiders couldn’t see a thing because the marquee was surrounded by a blue fence – even its windows were draped shut.

At a house across the road, a group of women sat ululating and singing along to traditional wedding songs played inside the marquee.

Others were hanging from fences and standing on the back of bakkies hoping to catch a glimpse of the newlyweds.

The wedding was also about who wasn’t there, most notably Foromo and Lebogo.

Foromo is a wealthy tenderpreneur, while Lebogo, a former ANC Youth League secretary in Limpopo, runs an adult shop in the Polokwane city centre.

The two stood by Malema when he was axed from the ANC in 2011, when he started the EFF last year and during his woes with the SA Revenue Service.

One source, who is friends with both men, said: “I can tell you now, there is no way that Jacob and Collins … can go to that wedding. He did not invite them.

“They were closer than his family.”

However, Foromo’s business partner, Charles Rampura, told City Press by phone that he was at the wedding. He said this even before any questions were posed to him.

'I don't know why they fought'

“I’m at the wedding and I’m entering the marquee as we speak, but I can’t talk to you now. Please call me later in the evening,” he said.

Foromo and Lebogo could not be reached for comment.

Another source close to Foromo, who works for one of his many companies, said: “I know for sure that he [Foromo] … is not going.

“I never thought that his friendship with Malema could end this way. They were friends and were always together.”

Another source said: “I don’t know the finer details, but I know that Collins and Jacob fought with Malema and he decided not to invite them to his wedding. I don’t know why they fought.”

Limpopo’s wedding of the year was designed and managed by Two Way Exhibitions & Events and the marquees were sourced from Western Cape-based Downings Marquee Hiring.

Neighbours said a horse and trailer were seen delivering alcohol at the Matlala home on Christmas Day.

Meanwhile, at the other end of Zone 1, workers on Saturday were putting the finishing touches to another huge marquee blocking the street in front of Malema’s grandmother’s double-storey house.

This is where the second party of the wedding had taken place on Sunday.

The word on the street was that Malema’s family had requested that he should dance in the street with his new wife at his house – as is the norm at an African traditional wedding.

This is where perhaps the community will finally get a glimpse of the EFF leader and his new wife.

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If there’s one thing I’ve learned from pop stars and fashion icons, its that every girl needs at least two kinds of dresses in her life. The first should be an LBD a la Audrey Hepburn. The second dress should be a “Freakum Dress” a la Beyoncé that will make you feel like the hottest thing ever.

After seeing this piece by Dutch fashion designer and engineer Anouk Wipprecht, you might say she’s trying to make a third kind of essential frock: the dress that’s smart enough to attack wayward dudes that are pushing up on you (no, seriously).

Anouk, who is known for using her engineering skills to create innovative wearable technology, has designed a “Spider Dress” that’s smart enough to protect its wearer’s personal space by raising arachnid-like robotic limbs in a defensive pose.

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Anouk explained her brilliant creation to Motherboard like this:

“The dress provides an extension of the wearers [sic] intuition,” Wipprecht told me over email. “It uses proximity sensors as well as a respiration sensor to both define and protect the personal space of the wearer.”

“Approach the wearer too aggressively and the mechanical limbs move up to an attack position,” she continued. “Approach the system under calmer circumstance and the dress just might beckon you to come closer with smooth, suggestive gestures.”

I love that this dress could potentially be the beginning of fashion that makes life harder for future generations of cat callers. I mean, how cool would it be to have a dress that looks good on you AND dropkicks overly presumptuous guys?

It’s important to note though that Anouk’s goal for this dress isn’t about drumming up an overly simple solution to a complicated issue. Anouk is a fashion innovator with a vision that’s worthy of a sci fi movie: she wants to explore the concept of the body and clothing as one connected, mutually dependent system.

According to Motherboard, the garment was 3D printed using selective laser sintering and used technology made by Intel.

The dress, which will be making its way to the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next month, is hardly Anouk’s first successful attempt at making electronic couture. She posted a video of an earlier version of the Spider Dress to YouTube two years ago and has created clothing that can make cocktails, release smoke and conduct electricity.

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Get ready to start seeing a lot more of English designer Vivienne Westwood — most recently famous for Pharrell’s ginormous hats — in the next few months. Why’s that? Oh, just because Vivienne Westwood has designed a red carpet collection for awards season. The designs are expressly targeting the many red carpets of the January through March 2015 calendar.

The designer is known for mixing punk and new wave cultural influences into her clothes and that means celeb awards shows will be getting a huge dose of fabulous fun this year, courtesy of Westwood.

I’ve always coveted Westwood’s flexible, scented plastic shoes, because they were cute and the idea of shoes that smell like something other than, well, feet was sorta intriguing to me. But in all seriousness, I cannot wait to see who will wear the red carpet offerings of Westwood’s Gold Label in the next few months.

While Anne Hathaway and Rita Ora have been draped in Westwood wares in the past, I’d love to see this year’s crop of frontrunners wearing her creations.

According to WWD, Westwood’s hubby and label creative director Andreas Kronthaler hit L.A. to show the Gold Label red carpet capsule pieces to press and stylists in advance of the busy (and fabulous) season of statue giving and receiving.

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So what can we expect? Well, for this collection, Westwood was inspired by Charles Frederick Worth, an English couturier who favored “feminine and flowing silhouettes,” according to WWD. Sounds pretty fabulous.

The pieces will also be available at Westwood boutiques next month.

OK, so now that we know a Westwood red carpet collection is imminent, who should be the first celebs to take the clothes for a spin?

1. Amy Adams

The actress tends show a little edge when she plays dress up, so wearing Westwood on the red carpet this season would be a proper fit.

2. Helen Mirren

She’s English and always looks beautiful at awards shows. Why not team up with her fellow countrywoman?

3. Emily Blunt

See above! Blunt’s turn in The Devil Wears Prada was as high fashion as it gets, so she could further turn up the dial on her style with a Westwood dress.

4. Reese Witherspoon

There have been many Reese Witherspoon red carpet wows. A Witherspoon x Westwood pairing would be double the wow!

5. Jennifer Aniston

Aniston is so, so classic with her red carpet style but every once in a while, she goes off course with color or print. Why not do the same this season? She’s a dark horse choice, since she lives in black at fancy events, but she has been known to surprise us.

Also see: http://www.graziadressau.com/bridesmaid-dresses-melbourne