MARIE CLAIRE- THE RISE OF MALE VANITY

This is a story I did at the end of last year as it appears in the latest (February 2012) issue of Marie Claire South Africa. The magazine is on the shelf today. Go get yourself a copy and read about all things 'mirrorsexual', from Kenny Kunene to South African men who indulge in cosmetic surgery. Yes, they exist!

THE FASHION EDITOR AS CELEBRITY

Carine Roitfeld (Image from Nymag.com)

The line between fashion editor and celebrity has long been blurred thanks, largely, to the rise of the blogosphere. Since as far back as 2006, photobloggers like Scott Schuman and Tommy Ton of the Jak and Jil blog have been snapping fashion industry giants like Anna dello Russo, Emmaneulle Alt and her predecessor at French Vogue Carine Roitfeld and the result has been an ever increasing adoration of these stylish fashion dames.

While Anna Wintour, for instance, has forever been the subject of media scrutiny it is no longer surprising to find Roitfeld, for one, being profiled in a 2000 word feature in any fashion magazine or newspaper. In fact, when she left French Vogue last year, I think I personally read at least three different profiles where journalists sought to figure out where-to-next for her while unpacking her personal style.
Some two weeks ago, The New York Times speculated that she may be seeking to start her own magazine title, while simultaneously rising meteorically to unprecedented fashion superstardom. Months after leaving the influential Condenast group (the publishers of Vogue), Roitfeld’s star power seems to have somewhat doubled. She’s still on the fashion week front rows despite not being an editor for any title and she’s a coveted party guest all over the globe.
Is there anything particularly wrong with this? Is it such a bad thing for fashion editors to be famous beyond their byline?
I would argue that there is absolutely nothing wrong with it, in fact, it’s the way of the future. We live in an era where individual influence can exceed that of aged-old organisations or brands. The influence that bloggers have, for example, is testimony. If Dello Russo’s fame is enough to get us all interested in Japanses Vogue- where she is editor at large- I don’t see how Si Newhouse (chairman of the Condenast Group) would see this as being a disadvantage. It’s about time people got their fashion influence from people who know the ins-and-outs of style rather than relying on Hollywood celebrities for inspiration, anyway. The red carpets are hardly the best place for fashion inspiration in my opinion anyway.

FLY HOLMES AT MR PRICE

The top I'm wearing in the pic is from "Fly Holmes" at Mr Price; part of the retailer's collaboration with Durban design duo Holmes Bros. The collection is at selected Mr Price stores (has been since the 12th of December) and I was lucky enough to have received this top as a gift from the folk at Mr Price just in time for December. Problem is, it is so hot these days and this is the best vest I have in my cupboard, I don't want to take it off!

WATER FOR CHOCOLATE

You might recognise CHOC from the VUZU reality TV series "Cream Cartell". Well, CHOC is now diversifying into fashion and has established a label called "Water", with a friend.

I ran into him the other day and snapped pics of him carrying a bag from the label. I can't recall what he said "WATER" stands for, but it is more elaborate than just H2O.

And me likey like the bag!

MY CNN 'INSIDE AFRICA' INTERVIEW (VIDEO)

I was recently featured on CNN's Inside Africa, where I discussed African fashion with Nkepile Mabuse.
Check me out in this video...

Body
SOURCE: CNN

GRANDMA'S CROCHETS

My sister recently sent me this pic of her in one of our late grandmother's crochets. I knew grandma crocheted a lot but I had no idea I would want one of her crochets at this point in time. This looks fabulous and so now. I would rock it anytime! In fact, when my sister sent me the pic, I even asked, "where'd you get that? I want one."

GQ BEST DRESSED MEN 2011: MY PERSONAL FAVOURITES

Few things bore me like men in suits, especially those who have a belief that once they suit up, it's the epitome of the style stakes. And with that said, best dressed lists filled with men in suits bore the hell out of me. I prefer that men wear their suits in a way that makes them stand out. From the pictures, I gather that the men on this year's GQ list are able to do just that, even though a lot of them don't tickle my fancy, the judges must know something that makes them believe that these men deserve the title of "GQ Best Dressed Man".


Anyways, I was at the event where these men were honoured on Monday and from the top 10, Cape Town-based leather goods artisan Yaaseen Cader and multidisciplinary artist/blogger Jamal Nxedlama are my personal favourites. They don't fall for the whole suit thing and, Jamal Nxedlana in particular (simply because I know him personally), has a distinct and very unorthodox take on style. His dress sense may not be everyone's cup o' tea, but then that's what style is about- individuality. And few people I know are able to stand out like Jamal.
I have to say, style, by definition means "a way of doing things" and I like to see the GQs as a style award rather than simply about how well tailored a particular guy's suits are and if their patent leather brogues are always shiny.

Congratulations gentlemen! This blogger likes the way you do things... fashion wise.

YAASEEN CADER

JAMAL NXEDLANA

ROCKIN' MY BLUE BLOUSE AT THE COLDPLAY CONCERT

So, one of my favourite rock bands in the world was in my Joho this past Saturday and like a true fan I went to the FNB Stadium to check them out. I was with my sister and we met friends at the concert. Did we rock or what? And was I just not adorable in that blue blouse? *wink*
BTW, blouses are my signature piece this summer. I am loving!

A "FAMINE OF BEAUTY" AT SA FASHION WEEK




Shot from the opening of (Naked Ape) Shaldon Kopman's "Basotho" showcase at SAFW

 
“It’s a famine of beauty,” Vogue Editor-at-Large, Andre Leon Talley, complains in a scene in the documentary “The September Issue”. And I have no other words to sum up my feelings about the SA Fashion Week Autumn/Winter collections, which closed on Sunday at the Crowne Plaza in Rosebank.



The question that kept popping up in my head is whether or not designers actually think before they put together what is supposedly a collection.


With the exception of Suzaan Heyns, Tiaan Nagel, Shaldon Kopman, Joel Janse van Vuuren and Colleen Eitzen, of all the shows I saw, none were able to see through any obvious vision for their winter 2012 offering. It is utterly depressing.


But then again, thinking back a few weeks, I remember going to the opening of an arts exhibition at Circa Gallery. It was huge and well attended. It was billed as the collaboration of the current ten best South African artists. I remember asking Felipe Mazibuko, whom I had gone there with, where the fashion designers were, because the only two I saw were Ella of Superella and Marianne Fassler. The reason I ask this question is because, as one who often goes to arts-related events, I do expect to see creative people engaging with other art forms beyond the one they’ve chosen for themselves. This, I feel, opens one to other worlds and, of course, inspires creativity. Instead, one only sees designers at gigs where cameras are flashing and shwashwi’s are waiting to find a scoop to lead with in the Sunday gossip columns. Do note, I am in no way prescribing what anyone must do to be inspired, just suggesting one way of doing it.


I’m in no way saying that everyone must come up with a collection to measure up to David Tlale, Clive Rundle or Suzaan. But how dare you expect buyers and the fashion media to appreciate what is obviously something you don’t put your heart into as a designer and then frown upon people when the reviews come back unfavourable? Yes, the ignorant, self-important ones will contend that they are not in the industry to serve the fashion media and I will put it to them that without that very same fashion media- people who also happen to be the most loyal to local fashion, by the way- that take it upon themselves to showcase local talent in an industry where there’s a lot of resistance to filling the fashion pages with South African designers’ work. It is the same fashion media that often alerts fashion lovers to your talent and, you know what, that is what fashion week is about; showcasing to people who will give you that very necessary exposure. Otherwise, why are you there? If you are too good to even pay attention to what is in fact constructive criticism then leave the fashion week stage altogether!

To read ELLE Magazine fashion editors, Poppy Evans and Asanda Sizani's views on the matter, click here

SA FASHION'S BEEEN HAVING IT... ACTUALLY!

About a year ago I met a lady by the name of Romy Stander, who runs a small business, making bags out of recyclable materials in collaboration with underprivileged women in Diepsloot. Her label is called “State of the Nation” and how wonderful her bags are.




Romy Stander, clutching a bag from her State of the Nation label


This past Sunday, David Tlale opened the doors to his first store at Sandton’s Michelangelo Towers Mall and reminded those present that we, too, as Africans are talented. “We need to start believing in our own,” he said. When someone on Twitter tweeted about legendary British designer Vivienne Westwood’s gravitation towards “African”, sighting her new collection of bags made by women in Kenya, out of recyclable material I remembered one of the campaign pics, in which Westwood is surrounded by a number of those bags which are no different to the bags Romy and the women in Diepsloot make, Tlale’s words came back to my mind. I also thought of a huge ad inside my local Woolworths store which reads something like “fashion designed for you in New York”. Well, something along those lines anyways. When I first saw it I was absolutely shocked. It’s probably good for their marketing but I was taken aback by what, in my mind, perpetrates the idea that what is local is inferior. You might think I’m being slightly pedantic here, but really, such things often slightly raise my temperature as I think of how our inferiority complex impact negatively on the local industry. Soon, people will wear those Vivienne Westwood bags proudly, because, one, it’s an international luxury brand and, two, they’ll feel like some sort of slacktivist whose money has not only gone to Westwood’s purse but also to those poor women in Kenya and, three, it’s all recyclable, baby. Two ticks for social responsibility. Do add another tick by recognising that on your doorstep, Westwood’s concept has been done! We’ve been having it!
Click on the pic to link to the State of the Nation website.