2012'S BEST!

It’s been quite a year, 2012. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. From changing jobs twice, to moving into a place of my own, to leaving all of that and being in a state of limbo as I am now- I have no regrets. Life has its way of making everything work out and I am confident that whatever I do from here onwards, it will all work out. Enough about me though. Here a few things I have enjoyed in 2012. My favourite songs came from the likes of Rihanna (‘Loveee Song ft. Future), our very own Zonke (‘Chivalry is Dead’ and ‘Viva the Legend’), Gotye (‘State of the Art’) and the amazing Frank Ocean, whose album is among my favourites this year. After last week when a friend shared Solange Knowles’ EP titled ‘True’ with me, I am convinced that first prize goes to this ultra-stylish sister to the diva Beyonce! I haven’t been able to stop playing songs like ‘Lovers in the Parking Lot’ and ‘Some things just don’t fucking work’. I can say without batting an eyelid that Solange is my favourite person this year.

This has also been the year when ELLE magazine took a huge risk by featuring a local star on their cover and this was one of my favourites of the year- the Bonang Matheba cover! Rihanna’s GQ cover was also right up there with my absolute faves.

In terms of fashion, I have to say I am absolutely loving my new Ray Bans from their rare prints collection (available at Sunglass Hut stores nationwide). Absolute stunners! Ok. I’m using the word ‘absolute’ a lot. The vodka company might have to pay me. Lol.

Local designer Cleo Droomer’s collection at Mr Price was also a highlight. I really love the prints and his unique take on the very trendy peplum.

In 2013 I am keen to watch some of the designers I got to judge in the ELLE Rising Star Designer competition, which was an honour to be a part of. Thank you, ELLE.

In literature, I have to mentioned actress Bonnie Mbuli's book titled 'Eyebags and Dimples'. It's a must read! The actress tells her life story in this easy-to-read and very interesting book. I was mostly touched by her experience with depression and appreciate the fact that it's a condition black folk hardly acknowledge. We prefer the easy route of calling people insane when we struggle to define their behaviour. Big ups to Bonnie for putting it out there! Loved the book!

I don't know if there'll be any more blogging for me for the remainder of the year. If not, then I'll catch you all on the flipside. Merry Christmas and may your New Year be filled with all things fabulous!

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ONSE CANDICE SWANEPOEL ON NEW YORK... SO MUCH LIKE JOZI, INNIT?

CANDICE SWANEPOEL IN THE 'VICTORIA'S SECRET' SHOW

I'm in the process of possibly leaving Johannesburg for a while, if not for good. I have chosen Cape Town as the place I want to live out the next chapter in my life. Not sure how it will work out for me. I'm both stoked- about the prospects of making new friends and just leading a less demanding lifestyle- and terrified about leaving my comfort zone. Having been in Johannesburg- with the exception of my matric year- since I was 13, I really don't know much about life outside this buzzing city. I am however convinced that I do need a break from it all. Anyway, as usual, I've been doing a bit of surfing through my favourite blogs and I found a post by Derek Blasberg, where he interviews Candice Swanepoel, the South African beauty who is quite literally a SUPERMODEL. No play, play. In the interview, Candice describes why she enjoys Brazil- where her boyfriend Herman Nicoli is from- more than New York, where she works. It sounds very much like what one experiences in Johannesburg.

CANDICE SWANEPOEL: “In New York, we base people on what they do, how much money they have. No one knows anything about the fashion industry in Brazil. They don’t care what you do. They just want the beach and the sun and the fun. I feel the freest and the happiest there. There, I can just be the normal Candice.”

Read the interview here.

JAMES FRANCO THINKS 'STRAIGHT' IS THE NEW 'GAY'

I'm blown away by the trailer from James Franco's new film titled "Interior Leather Bar". The Sundance Festival selection is a film about filmmaking... and this is where the juicy part is; it's based on rumours that directors of the '80s film "Cruising" had to cut and destroy 40-minutes of gay S&M footage in order to avoid an X-rating. Here's what James Franco had to say about his new project (directed in collaboration with Travis Mathews):

"I wanted to be taken on a ride. I wanted to make a film that was as much about the experience as it was about making something. I wanted to go to a place of uncertainty, to set up parameters and then let the movie make itself. I wanted to explore the beauty of queerness, beautiful because it is counter to everything normal. As “straight” becomes the new “gay,” I wanted to find places where the anti-normative still thrived. Travis became my partner and guide on a trip to the queer-side."


 

MARC BY MARC JACOBS/ MARC JACOBS SPRING SUMMER 2013 CAMPAIGNS

MARC BY MARC JACOBS

 

 

MARC JACOBS

PRINTS ON PRINTS ON PRINTS ON PRINTS!

PIC: SKATTIEWHATAREYOUWEARING.BLOGSPOT.COM

Anyone who followed the very first #MENSTYLECHAT hosted on twitter by C-Squared will remember that I was one of those people who sparred with our interlocutors with regards to men and prints. I was one of those who said men should rather stay away from this trend. I still hold this view. I further said only those who have a daring style and the capacity to carry this type of flamboyance should even attempt doing the print on print thing. It's not as easy as it looks. With that said; here's an example of how two gentlemen are werqing it beautifully. This is Chu Suwannapha (fashion directir at YOU and Huisgenoot) as well as fellow blogger Monde Mtsi of RennaissanceMenSA.blogspot.com
They were shot by Malibongwe Tyilo of SkattieWhatAreYouWearing.blogspot.com at a recent Hugo Boss party held in Cape Town.

THE NEW MR TRICKETT LIMITED EDITION RANGE AT MR PRICE

I think by now everyone knows about my Mr Price obsession and that Mr Trickett became my favourite Mr P line following the last collection. Well, here's a quick look at the new range, currently at selected stores and over at mrp.co.za

 

TRENDY LIKE LITTLE BECKHAM

I think it was 2010 when I read somewhere that Romeo Beckham had been named one of Britain's best dressed men by GQ Magazine. I thought this was ridiculous but one highly placed fashion authority clearly didn't. Burberry's Christopher Bailey has reeled the 10-year-old Beckham in as one of the new faces of the brand's spring-summer 2013 campaign. The campaign is shot by Mario Testino. To be a 10-year-old style icon! *sigh*

I'M NOT GONNNA BE MODEST ABOUT THIS ONE!

Doing my usual blog trawling I stumbled upon a picture of myself taken weeks ago at the Sunglass Hut 'Out of the Box' VIP Party by fellow blogger Vie. I was wearing my at-the-time new and forever-will-remain fabulous skinnies from Topshop. This I paired with a simple black top (can't remember where I got it from) and a colourful necklace I stole from a friend. Well, I DID ask for it, so practically, it wasn't theft! Booya! Love it! And the shoes? Nister Trickett brogues from Mr Price.

THE MOST GOOGLED SOUTH AFRICAN CELEBRITY? I WOULD HAVE NEVER GUESSED IT

PIC: SKATTIEWHATAREYOUWEARING.BLOGSPOT.COM
 

Yup! The most Googled South African celebrity of 2012 is Khanyi Mbau, according to Google Zeitgeist 2012. This is the year that saw the controversial former TV star (she's not on TV anymore, is she?) playing the late, great Lebo Mathosa on stage and fighting with the producers. Her life story was immortalised in the form of a book I am yet to read and she also became part of the biggest showmance I've ever seen (that's her we're-together-no-we're-not relationship with that guy from Kwela Tebza). While this is all so, I was quite surprised to find that she is the most googled schleb of 2012. I would have expected to see someone like Bonang or even Kuli Roberts to rank above Khanyi but- check this out- she and the late Brown Dash are the only people in local entertainment to appear in the South African top 10 of the most Googled personalities for 2012. The rest are sports stars like Caster and Chad le Clos.

KARLIE KLOSS GETS DOMESTICATED IN VOGUE MAGAZINE

I don't know what it is with me at the moment, but I'm really enjoying lady-like fashion. Few things excite me more than seeing a woman who embraces the flirtatiousness and whimsicality of women's wear. There's just something about it that appeals to me. It's fun! And that's what fashion should be, no? Browsing the net, I came across this very beautiful US Vogue editorial starring Karlie Kloss. How pretty?

SOURCE: VOGUE.COM

 

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS...

Not that I'm a huge fan of Christmas, but this year I will be if it means convincing someone- anyone- to get me a copy of US Vogue Creative Director Grace Coddington's memoirs. I promise I'll be a slave for you forever if you do! *bats eyelids*

THE GUY FRANK OCEAN'S BEEN THINKING ABOUT? NO. IT'S NOT ME... *SAD FACE*

PIC: MODELS.COM

When Frank Ocean Instagrammed a screenshot of himself being embraced by a dude it sparked off rumours that he may be dating the guy. The dude in question (pictured above) is French model Willy Cartier. Just had to find a picture of him to show to you. Isn't he just cute?

INSTAGRAM

@SUNGLASSHUT 'OUT OF THE BOX' VIP PARTY

ME AND MY FRIENDS AKONA NDUNGANE AND MAQUE DEGORGEOUS AT THE
RECENT SUNGLASS HUT 'OUT OF THE BOX' VIP PARTY IN
MELROSE ARCH, JOHANNESBURG, ZA

SPOEK MATHAMBO x PUMA SOCIAL JOZI (TOMORROW)

PIC: SPOEKMATHAMBO.COM

He's been dubbed an Afro-futurist by some and was nominated for a MOBO Award. While that went to Nigerian artist D'Banj it doesn't take away from the fact that Spoek is one of Africa's most well received creatives on the global stage. He's performed at the South by South West festival and has also toured France, Italy and Norway among other countries. This Friday, the producer and rapper will be performing at the Puma Social Club in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, where he will introduce his latest album 'Future Sound of Mzansi'. Get yourself on the g-list by logging onto pumasocialjozi.com

THE COOLEST THING I'VE DONE THIS YEAR

Visit MrP to watch some behind the scenes footage of what went down when I and five other bloggers went to Durban (Mr Price HQ) to style some looks for the retailer's latest campaign.

RIHANNA x RIVER ISLAND SNEAK PEEK

I guess Miss Riri was way too excited to keep us in the dark completely... Details on her new collection for River Island, the British retailer, are still being kept very hush but Rihanna tweeted this picture of herself posing with models for the campaign. The full line, designed by Riri in collaboration with her costume designer and the retailer, is reportedly being unveiled in full in February 2013.

THE OTHER SEPTEMBER ISSUE

Lucky Americans! This is the trailer for the new documentary focused on the goings-on at US Vogue HQ. It is called 'The Editor's Eye' and will premiere on the 6th on HBO, hence the title of this post. Oh, Lawdy! I soooo want to watch it!

JESSICA CHASTAIN x BRITISH GQ

She first caught my eye in 'Tree of Life' where she starred alongside Brad Pitt. Her performance in 'The Help' sealed the deal for me and made Jessica Chastain one of my favourite actresses. I quite simply love her! Now all I have to do is to get my hands on a copy of the January 2013 issue of British GQ in which she is looking hella hot!

PICS: GQ.CO.UK

MR PRICE GOES 'GALACTIC'

'Galactic'- the new limited edition range from Mr Price- is now available in stores and over at Mrp.co.za

THIS FRIDAY AT THE PUMA SOCIAL CLUB

Go to PUMAsocialjozi.com for details

ARE THESE AWARDS REALLY ABOUT STYLE?

Every year Joburg's fashion elite get all excited about dressing up and going to the annual SA Style Awards, where- as the title suggests- the country's most stylish are supposedly honoured. Let me not be completely negative, there are some categories where I think the honourees are well deserving, but more often than not I find myself just a little annoyed. In the years that I have paid any attention to what goes on at these awards the following people have been named winners in the overall category of Style Icon- Ryk Neethling in 2010, Pabi Moloi in 2011 and this year our Olympic golden boy Cameron van der Burgh took the honours. Somebody, please slit my wrists for me! These South Africans are deserving of honour in a variety of ways but I doubt their style qualifies them for this type of accolade. Ask me for one memorable outfit I have ever seen any of them in and I can tell you right now I don't remember anything Pabi has ever worn and all I have ever seen Ryk and Cameron in are speedos and the ever-so-safe black or navy suit. Life changing, innit? What do YOU find memorable in the countless red carpet shots of the three that you've seen in the years they were honoured?

AT THE ELLE #BLOGPARTY

TOP: DOREEN SOUTHWOOD AT MEMEME
LEGGINGS: GIFT FROM MAHLATSE
SHOES: KELLY ESTERHUYSE AT MR PRICE
 

FRANK OCEAN SPEAKS TO GQ ABOUT "THAT" LETTER

This is just an extract of GQ's Frank Ocean interview I've just read.

MR OCEAN WITH MEMBERS OF ODD FUTURE

GQ: You'd written the letter back in December, for inclusion in the liner notes. Were you afraid of the aftermath when you finally posted it in July?
Frank Ocean: The night I posted it, I cried like a fucking baby. It was like all the frequency just clicked to a change in my head. All the receptors were now receiving a different signal, and I was happy. I hadn't been happy in so long. I've been sad again since, but it's a totally different take on sad. There's just some magic in truth and honesty and openness.
GQ: Exactly how did your perspective change?
Frank Ocean: Whatever I said in that letter, before I posted it, seemed so huge. But when you come out the other side, now your brain—instead of receiving fear—sees "Oh, shit happened and nothing happened." Brain says, "Self, I'm fine." I look around, and I'm touching my fucking limbs, and I'm good. Before anybody called me and said congratulations or anything nice, it had already changed. It wasn't from outside. It was completely in here, in my head.
GQ: Did you worry it would derail your career?
Frank Ocean: I had those fears. In black music, we've got so many leaps and bounds to make with acceptance and tolerance in regard to that issue. It reflects something just ingrained, you know. When I was growing up, there was nobody in my family—not even my mother—who I could look to and be like, "I know you've never said anything homophobic." So, you know, you worry about people in the business who you've heard talk that way. Some of my heroes coming up talk recklessly like that. It's tempting to give those views and words—that ignorance—more attention than they deserve. Very tempting.
Some people said, "He's saying he fell in love with a guy for hype." As if that's the best hype you can get in hip-hop or black music. So I knew that if I was going to say what I said, it had to be in concert with one of the most brilliant pieces of art that has come out in my generation. And that's what I did. Why can I say that? Why I don't have to affect all this humility and shit is because I worked my ass off. I worked my face off. And the part that you love the most is the easiest part for me. So I'll do it again.
GQ: I'm sure if you'd wanted an excuse not to reveal the relationship, you could have found ten people in the industry who would have said, "Wait."
Frank Ocean: The pitch is, "You'll encounter less resistance in life if you say, 'No, I'm going to just keep dating girls.' " But then you're minimizing the resistance that you're feeling from yourself on the inside. There's so much upkeep on that shit. So much upkeep on a lie. But at least everybody else is cool with how you carry on with your life. That's what they say. But know what fear does to your strength. You don't even feel smart or capable. You just feel broken—and not just your heart. Just a broken person.

Read More http://www.gq.com/entertainment/music/201212/frank-ocean-interview-gq-december-2012#ixzz2Crxo74QX

CONGRATS TREVOR!

TREVOR STUURMAN WITH FELLOW BLOGGER
SIKI MSUSENI

I remember some four years ago when I first started blogging. It was a scary time, trying to penetrate this fashion industry. I remember going to fashion week the first time and seeing all the "intimidating" fashion figures I looked up to. Dion Chang, Aspasia Karras, Jackie Burger, Felipe Mazibuko, just to name a few- they were all there. I did not know how to approach anyone but eventually thought to myself; screw it, let's do it! A few years later, I find myself on a first name basis with most of them and it's a position I appreciate. I also hope the work I have done in this industry has earned me at least two sentences in the pages of South African fashion history. I was taken back to these moment last night when Trevor Stuurman was named ELLE Magazine's first ever Style Reporter (in association with Blackberry). Trevor will now be working at the magazine as their official style reporter, which is something that even the most experienced among us would kill to do. I was taken back to my early blogging days especially when he was handed the microphone to speak about how he feels. I saw him holding back tears of joy and being the softie that I am, I had to look away or else I would have also cried. If you ever read this Trevor, I would like you to know that you are now in a special position and must work hard to make your mark in what is more often than not a tough industry. Keep viewing fashion as a labour of love and you are bound to succeed. Congratulations and I wish you only the best as you embark on this new journey!
Visit Trevor's blog here. 

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