A full life is about living one's passions

A dress from Stella McCartney's 2011 Spring Collection

(nytimes)

I’m currently re-reading Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist” as my own way of rekindling my relationship with my inner being. One passage I came across teaches a lesson I’ve always known but always need reminding about; “My desires originate from the soul of the universe. The entire universe will conspire to ensure the achievement of my dreams.”

Whenever I recall such life theories I am also reminded to surround myself with my passions. Stella McCartney is not far off the mark. At the presentation for her new spring collection, reports the International Herald Tribune, Ms. McCartney had executives from PETA and “Meat Free Monday” advocates. Being a nature lover, Ms. McCartney is reminding me of this.
I know this is far from what I usually blog about, but I will be sharing more such lessons with you as I go through “The Alchemist” and outwardly reflect my inner self.

DSquared Spine Heels (real skeleton-like heel)

Talking about man-heels, I jumped over to bryanboy.com and was greeted by these pics of DSquared creative genius! Spine bones for heels! WOW!
I am loving!

Trendspotting: Men In Heels

pic: timesonline.co.uk

I can imagine a goth dude in them, but will the craze catch on?

In the UK, new reports say men are wearing heels. Some have been seen on the red carpets and at fashion shows. And it’s not about drag queens and cross-dressers; these heels are tailored specifically for a man’s foot. Gareth Pugh and Marc Jacobs are wearing heels, but how practical is it for the rest of the male world?
Somehow I see this trend catching on with fashion-forward gender-benders whose favourite hang out spots include Rosebank and the sidelines of fashion week. It’s a fashion fad pushed a bit too far. But, I like it anyhow!

Items: Cardigan and Cuff

I love this pic so much I've even made it my Facebook profile pic. The cardigan(R 300), which is stretchy, with pouch like pockets that stretch for days is a Silverspoon creation I bought at Mili's Pulchritude stall in Parktown North. The cuff(R 300) is from Maria McCloy. I blogged about this a couple of days ago and now I'm wearing it with a grey and black striped scarf from Woolies (R 70) and my favourite pair of Levi's jeans and navy blue moccassins I bought at an Aldo sale last year for R 400.

The cigarrette? Well, that's a Stuyvie, in case you wanted to know.

And, yes, that's me in this pic and I'm blogging about this for the fun of it.

Like fashion, the 21st century is definition defiant

What does “a new era of 21st century fashion” mean?

I found this term in a Suzy Menkes article and at face value it seems like straight forward English. When the first decade of the current millennium came to an end last year, I remember the frenzy that gripped many commentators as we all sought to define the past ten years. It was a conundrum probably faced by the world for the first time since the ‘20s when all decades became known as the subsequent derivatives of ten.
Fashion has also seldom found itself in a place where a particular decade cannot be identified with a certain look. With that said, what does “a new era of 21st century fashion” mean?
I’ll tell you what methinks!
Methinks we are at a point where a lot of things escape definition albeit the continued existence of trends; something that will never go away. Microtrends are waning as macrotrends dominate an era where collectively we fit into trends but individually defy mass definition. Phew, am I still making sense?
Good!
The article in which I found this Suzy Menkes line is not about this but rather what she defines as “One new Theory for Affordable Fashion”. Go ‘head and read it. You can never go wrong with Menkes; always thought provoking as she’s done with me and my questioning of “a new era of 21st century fashion”. It simply cannot be boxed like disco and the ‘70s, but it can be placed in a category of a time when very little can be indefinitely defined.

Nike in South Africa

Nike, the sportsbrand that is driving my friend Emmanuelle insane with their exceptional and innovative sneaker collections, was in South Africa to open a football training facility today and yours truly had the honour of meeting the president and CEO Mr. Mark Parker.
I had a little chat with him courtesy of Dazed and Confused about Nike's relationship with Africa and the training facility, which is Nike's contribution to the Soweto community. The centre has four world class pitches and a club house that is fit- in my opinion- to host a splash of a bash. In other words, it is of transcendent beauty. A truly spectacular gem which I'm sure was not cheap to design judging by the ultra cool interior.
The centre also offers an HIV/Aids counselling program as part of the life skills program that Nike is offering at the facility.
I took an Aids test there and got Nike laces as part of their "Lace Up, Save Lives" campaign in conjunction with (RED). I'm happy to announce that the result was a positive experience for me.

Grace Jones is a man... Well, the 21th Century Version of Jones is

pic from jeaniuss.blogspot.com

"Is Grace Jones too easy?" Jean Paul-Paula answered when asked who his style icon is in a New York Times TMagazine interview last year. Jean is a Netherlands based blogger, model, stylist and magazine editor and he oozes androgyny.
He came to my attention through the abovementioned interview, which also featured Bryan Boy and Yu Masui, a London based fashion writer. These boys are androgyny defined.
Check out Jean Paul-Paula's blog Jeaniuss for frequent updates on his escapades and photo shoots.
Styling!

BEAUTY AT THE MARKET

Pulchritude, my dictionary says, is a literary term  meaning "beauty" and it is also the name that fellow blogger Milisuthando Bongela called her fashion and accessories stall at Parktown North's Food Market this past Saturday.
On sale were items from Black Coffee, Two and Silver Spoon as well as some ethnic jewellery that Maria McCloy sources from Lesotho and Durban. I got myself a beautiful Silve Spoon cardigan that you'll see some time soon, once I become comfortable with posting pics of myself on this blog.

My friend Emmanuelle browsing through the rails

My sister got herself a Loin Cloth and Ashes dress, as pictured and it was overall a beautiful morning.

Mili at her stall with a glass of champers.

Pulchritude, indeed!

Jessica Alba for ELLE Korea

She's the stuff liquid dreams are made of. That's if you're into that sort of thing anyways, but anyhow... it's Jessica Alba, looking smashing in Alexander McQueen for an ELLE Korea spread.
Check out the slideshow at Huffingtonpost for more.

LaQuan Smith for AFW

LaQuan Smith, the New York designer described earlier in the year by New York Times writer Ruth La Ferla as an industry “Outsider on the Doorstep” is due to show a collection at Africa Fashion Week at Sadton’s Convention Centre on the 1st of July.

Turned away by a number of fashion schools, LaQuan has made leaps out of obscurity to become a celebrity fashion favourite (Rihanna and Lady Gaga amongst others) and does his thing without the backing of major finance or machinery. He drafts his own patterns and cuts the fabric himself. He has no studio, or at least didn’t at the time of his interview with the New York Times.
I am super-excited about LaQuan’s Africa Fashion Week appearance and can’t wait to see why Rihanna and Lady Gaga think this man is the future. And he’s only 21! Wow.