I don’t often suffer from diva-like behaviour. Not because I’m not capable of it, but more because I seem to deal with people who understand good hospitality, rendering the notion impossible. Let’s take Cosmopolitan magazine, for example – who on Thursday night hosted the 2009 Comopolitan Lingerie Fashion Show at Wembley Square.

I mean, really now, it’s pretty damn difficult not to be happy with front row seats, as The Muse and I found ourselves right next to the doyenne of South African magazines and matriarch of the Raphaely publishing empire, Jane Raphaely .

That’s pretty serious company I’m keeping there, I think you would agree? Do you understand the vibe to which I refer? Perhaps you’re unaware with what we’re dealing with when it comes to this woman..

I did a little digging and got this, for the uninformed.

AfricanSuccess tells us:

Jane Raphaely is one of the most powerful woman in South Africa. Raphaely founded Fair Lady in 1967 and in 1982 launched Associated Magazines , now the largest privately owned publishing house in SA. With annual turnover of more than R200m, Associated Magazines controls the lion’s share of the women’s magazine title market, including Femina, House & Leisure, Cosmopolitan, Brides & Homes, Baby & Me and marie claire. Raphaely also played an influential role in the publishing coup of the decade, securing the first publishing rights for Oprah Winfrey’s magazine, O, outside the US.

 

This is not Jane Raphaely

 

Through her magazines, she influences more than 2m women readers monthly. But it’s not all fashion and fads. Raphaely has campaigned and lobbied for various social causes , especially against abuse of women.

[read more here]

And I tell you what, she was nothing short of delightful!

So while Jane’s daughter Julia is giving the company the necessary business leadership as Managing Director, you’ve got her sister Vanessa handling the editorial side of things as Editorial Director. I’ve chatted about the various Raphaely girls at length on 2oceansvibe, but perhaps you didn’t grasp that we are in the midst of a publishing dynasty here. It’s a fabulous thing and anyone who has even the smallest inclination or passion for anything from Hearst and McCord to Anna Wintour and Coco Chanel – you’ve got a classic fashion/publishing tale right here in your back yard.

Mrs Stuart Chait and friend
Giving us some Foschini action

Back to the show – Aletha Carswell put the whole thing together and, as you can imagine, things just exploded from the word go. As something that can surely only be compared to a prize-stallion horse auction ring, there is no other way to fully describe the almost tangible energy and confidence of these gorgeous thoroughbred models as they pound that ramp.

Hello, my little pumpkin!

When Michelle Cowley exploded onto the ramp, there was a roar from the crowd as everyone clapped with their mouths open, all thinking the same thing “Jesus, this is the real deal.” It certainly was. She certainly was. God, that woman is a pro (and doing it post-child, if you don’t mind)! She may as well have been snorting clouds of steam from her nostrils and kicking up dust in the paddocks on a cold dew-swept Queen’s Plate January morning.

Michelle Cowley AKA Mrs. Gorgens
Gives us WonderBra
(This woman has had a child)

World class, guys – well done – especially to the models who sported not-so-skinny frames which was truly refreshing.

Thanks to all the angels (Janie etc.) at Cosmo (that includes you, Jaco-Louis!) for a stunning evening.

And to Jane, it was an absolute pleasure, darling! x