It is said that in times of uncertainly the smart money invests in safe bets like precious metals.
No wonder, then, that even in fashion and design, gold is experiencing a resurgence.
"Gilded glamour" was the dress code for the Met Gala, fashion's premier red-carpet event in New York on Monday.
Things that glitter also took centre stage at an intimate event at a luxurious Sandton address on Thursday afternoon.
"Crafted Beyond Compare" is the winter campaign by premium coffee brand Nescafé Gold, which gives caffeine lovers the chance to win limited edition luxury swag.
It was held in the lush setting of Hoëveld House, a boutique hotel in the ultra-rich northern Johannesburg suburb of Inanda.
Walking down the winding paved driveway leading to the imposing property, I am handed a freshly brewed cuppa from a coffee station before heading inside where luxurious scented candles greet guests.
There I say hello to one of the friendliest faces in the local entertainment scene: Pabi Moloi, who looks chic in a long, black-and-white Imprint maxi-dress finished off with a gold belt and black coat.
Through the dining room where jewels in black velvet boxes float on a tablecloth fashioned from hundreds of gold-painted leaves, and out into the garden where we all gather at cocktail tables to snack on canapés from caterer Susan Greig.
Treats included chipolata sausages tossed in marmalade and sesame seeds, vol-au-vents and crispy Asian-marinated chicken served in long shot glasses on a bed of sweet chilli sauce.
A little while later Pabi comes out to do the official launch.
"Hello! It's interactive because we're not on Zoom any more," she quips, referring to a time not so long ago when these sort of dos took place virtually.
We learn that tantalising the four senses is the hook behind the prizes that coffee drinkers can score this year.
The coffee company turned to David Tlale with the task of appealing to the eye — and fashion's golden boy delivered with a sparkling eyewear collection.
Mind you, the local couture king couldn't make it for the launch because he had another engagement down in the Mother City for a Cape Town Stock Exchange listing of a company aiming to make it easy for us to get our hands on a share of luxury assets.
