Look Post // You aint even know

I have been swamped with work and overwhelmed with feels of confusion regarding where my almost-eighteen-year-old self thought I would be at this point and I must say I am disappointed. Not that things have gone side-ways as of late but that is just it! They havent gone ANYWHERE and that's worrying because I know there are BIG tings gwaanin in me head but I just need the right/perfect platform... and then it hit me. I've been waiting around for the right platform to come instead of creating my own . Being a creative means CREATING yet I havent done much . I've always believed nothing good/big/great ever comes to anyone sitting around on their size 34 butt yet I've failed to take my own advice. Subconsciously,  that is what I've done.

On a brighter note, I needed to be brutally honest with myself, stop feeling so intimidated and go play with  the other kids. Speaking of the other kids, there are three beautiful ladies that have been on my radar for some time. Insanely talented creatives who you should be talking about and if not you will after reading this ! These ladies are flourishing and are an absolute inspiration to myself and I'm certain to other aspiring bloggers, art directors and boutique/online store owners.

1. Khensani Mohlatlole from the Glitter Daiquiri blog and new Glttr Betty online store which is sure to blow up amongst us vintage/tumblr feels lovers.

2. Zama Marubelela from the Ya-Girl blog. Zama is stylish, preppy and from my interaction with her an absolute sweetheart. Her fashion and lifestyle blog will keep you hooked. Her look posts have to be the highlight for me. They're always executed so effortlessy and make you actually want to try the look out !

3. Stephanie Mzee. The ebony beauty that is Stephanie shares my love and passion for Art Direction. She just recently hoped on her first project called Fading Art Direction (check the page out on Facebook) with the first series being African Pride . This kid is insanely talented and ignited my flame too ! Cannot wait to eventually work with her.

Shine-fly dust to these mamies and keep on keeping !

Oh and yes, this is a look post. That's what I do when I need to pick myself up, throw on the sickest pieces of clothing (almost always past down or thrifted because I believe in reinvention you see) and strike a pose in front of the camera . I was channeling the "I can look anything darn fly in anything I wear " feels and I definitely felt that way . Who said sporty attire was only for the athletic? They clearly dont see fashion as an art form, a form of expression.

Dress - Diesel

Cap - Nike

Shoes - Adidas Torsion


Bless You All x

New discoveries // The Space

I've noticed that I am almost immediately enticed by anything that has to do with african/bold prints and accessories, sweet smelling scents, pop art interpretation and vintage  .. oh goodness, just about vintage ANYTHING really! So when I discovered The Space yesterday whilst trekking around Claremont with the mother dearest you can only imagine how absolutely elated I was. Seriously , the best cliché to describe it would be "a kid in a candy store" !

The first thing that captures you when you walk into the store are the bold prints doned by the mannequins at the entrance. Shift dresses all the way through to cocktail dresses (with African print detailing, perfect for the Afrocentric child) . Maxi skirts that can be paired with the coolest take on pump-meets-brogue-like shoes . The centre of the narrow store is for lovers of things! Notebooks, hilarious tumblr-like memo pads and sweet scented candles that just added to the welcoming ambience of the store. The hit for me had to be the most rad vintage alarm clocks I had ever seen and the miniture glass milk bottles (you know, the ones they deliver at your door step in the early 90 american movies?) . It's literally a mixture between Typo and like the Town boutique stores.

The best part is that they stock only local/African  designers (Good, Beautiful Maverick and Leigh Schubert just to name a few), which I am all for. I've started familiarising myself with local designers and artists as it's vital for us creatives to support and gain inspiration from our surroundings - that including the path makers!  So sharrats to The Space for endorsing that. It's also the first shop both umama and I can shop at . Has everything from plus size down to the more petite sizes so it's really convient.

For all those looking for cute decor or into bohemian or african print designs, I strongly suggest that you check out The Space store in your city. You'll thank me later !

Bless x

Nomusa Makhubu // The self-portrait project

Imvunulo

On my usual internet hunt, I came across this frek talented photographer/artist, Nomusa Makhubu (oh! She's also an Art History lecturer at Rhodes University- so usisi knows her craft), on the 10and5  tumblr page (read more about her here).

When I looked at her work, I felt like I was looking at a piece of art and not just a photograph . Her work gives me all kinds of inspired feels, honestly. For this project she used projected images on herself to document the story. Through her images she analyses the politics of identity tradition and culture. For visually stimulated people like myself, this was a refreshing take on analysing how we were portrayed during the colonisation era contrasted to how we see ourselves today.

Intombi (Young Girl)

Ubuhle (beauty)

Nomusa Makhubu definitely goes down on my list of inspirations for 2015 . What do you think of her work ?

Stay blessed. 

Transition // 2015 , let's dala

2015 shall be the year that I , as they say, "dala what I must" ! Entering my final year of high school and turning 18 in a couple of months, I am definitely anxious. I plan to conquer all my fears and push all my ambitious.

I honestly feel I have been too timid when it comes to my blog which lead to it not setting  off the way I had planned to. With a blogging community that is rapidly growing and bloggers slowly being taken more seriously, it is difficult producing content that sets me apart from the rest of the blogs. This is not just a fashion or an "anything else specific" blog . My aim is to look at the art, beauty and expression in every hook and crane . From fashion and music all the way to art direction, photography and art. I aim to discover the authenticity and show that art knows no boundaries. This year I plan to perfect and emphasize this more loudly in my blog.

My New Years Resolutions :

1. Eat healthier (I won't say lose weight coz that's just .. yeah whatever)

2. Read more books .. a lot more books. I     seem to have neglected this past time which saddens me because I love reading SO much. It's vital.

3. Blog more often! Even through the madness of Matric, I swear I will.

4. Pray and strengthen my relationship with God. I can't do this on my own.

5. Stay focused . I'm so easly distracted by life's mishaps because I'm too darn emotional. I want to be able to embrace my inner emotional creature but keep my head screwed on at the same time.

6. Get my learners and drivers license. Seriously.

Such an odd number to end off at but yes. This is the first post for 2015 and there is so much more to come.

But for now, bless x

Monochrome // The Bold Fashion Statement

"Black compromises everything. So does white. They posses absolute beauty: they are in perfect harmony." - Coco Chanel

Monochrome is a timeless trend that dates back centuries but more famously brought to life by Coco Chanel around 1926

 with the Little black dress and the Lady Suit. Before this, monochrome was popularised by "The Suit": the male attempt at "getting dressed up" (This made me chuckle!). With black being the traditional colour worn to funerals and white the purity of a matrimonial ceremony, it was uncommon to have the two brought together (unless in uniform) as a fashion statement . In the case of Coco Chanel , she killed two birds with one stone. A legendary fashion statement was made as well as the breaking down of gender stereotypes in fashion . The notion that women could not where suits  (especially the black and white suit traditionally worn by men) was shut down. A win for fashion. A win for the females. ( whoa. I feel my feminism creeping into this post. Ha). The trend paved way for structured, masculine pieces for women as well as bold prints that gave the 1920s mini dresses a twist. Monochrome has always given me a since of edge, a bit of gies to strut my duck walk down that flippen street. Come summer, autum, winter and spring.. monochrome is no trouble fitting into your wardrobe for all the seasons. Mixing and matching different shades of a colour (because we all know monochrome is not just black and white, right ladies and gents?)  to tone you down or give you that edge or even when it's just the easiest thing to put together when you are lazy/late, monochrome will always be your go-to trend.

My top monochrome influences (local and international) have to be :

1. Black Coffee by Jaques van der Watt
The Imprint Summer 2013 range at SA Fashion Week 2013 and his summer 2014 range had monochrome pieces with bold, geometric patterns and print that left me teary-eyed they were so gorgeous !

2. Alexander Wang
Am I the only one who thinks of this genius when I think of monochrome? I shouldnt be. Personally Alexander's monochrome aesthetic is what made me fall head-over-heels in love with his creations.

Erykah Badu x Ricardo Tisci

"You a Bad(u) girl and your friends Bad(u) too ! Oh, you got that swag sauce, you drippin' swag-goo !"

My love and obssession for this woman will never waver . Whether she's belting out sultry tunes or making a fashion statement with her headwraps or  high top hats looking like she stepped out of the Dallas, Texas version of Alice in Wonderland, Mama Badu is always on point. She embodies the whole "Listen I love this piece and I'm gonna rock it in the most unconventional way and slay" look , something I aspire to be as my sense of style evolves .

Erykah was named the face of the Givenchy Spring 2014 campaign. We see her rocking her signiture afro to quickly transitioning to sleek hair and that quirky top hat in the campaign shoot and looking nothing short of a goddess.

In recent internet news ( that I stumbled across on tumblr ) Creative Director for Givenchy, Ricardo Tisci and Mama Badu did a spread for Paper Mag ( Yes, the same one that Kim did the nude shoot for - which she slayed tbh ) . The snaps taken at a train station, had some "lumming with the homie" type vibe and then that one shot that had a hot and steamy lovers scenario going on which I absolutely loved ! Here, Ricardo reveals how Erykah is one of his idols and the definition of style. He goes on to say, I quote "
Erykah is the perfect Givenchy woman. She has that ambiguity, that contrast of high-end fashion meeting street culture. She'll wear an haute couture dress with Nike sneakers without ever doubting the association". Erykah Badu undoubtly embodies unconventional glamour and oozes raw elegance . (read more about it here ) .

Pictures by Theo Wenner

Bobbi Brown Pretty Powerful South Africa // Inspirational women

This is pretty cool for those of you like myself who find peace and joy in seeing accomplished women getting out there and perfecting their hustle and still looking damn beautiful whilst they are at it. This series of Pretty Powerful women has inspired me to perfect my art so I to one day can touch the hearts of young ambitious girls like myself.