BOY IT UP, GURL-CHILD!!!

Oh, you know I won’t wait two clicks of a stiletto heel to protest for androgynous fashion. Yes, I am that bloke. Not trying to see the lines between closet rails and stuff, I sometimes even take it as far as claiming premier campaigning rights. Today, I ‘m looking a case which is sometimes only ever looked into, when dictated from a runway level, girls rocking menswear inspired threads. These girls look mad fierce in their finely tailored outfits with winks to gentleman vibes. Note how the white shirt remains such a firm staple. LOVE IT!!

SPOTTED, PRETTY GALS IN MELROSE!!

I love pretty clothes. I love pretty clothes even more when they are worn by pretty girls. I had a rad opportunity to hang-out with these two beauties in Melrose Arch the other night and boy, did we gyrate over good tunes spun by a DJ out in the open over a fire and sparkling drinks in hand. I loved how their personal styles are soooo different and in a bit to defy the whole fashion clique rubbish, we made that particular night… the one to remember!!!!

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I’LL TRAVEL WITH A CUTTERIER WOMAN. ANYDAY!

There is absolutely nothing I hate quite like unimaginative designers. I’m not in the business of forcing duties upon people, because being a creator myself; I know how it feels to sometimes have your neck in too deep, merely because one’s end goal was growth… alone! That being said, I still insist that if a designers’ aesthetic repudiates elevation maybe it’s time to find a new position in the workroom –just sayin’! One designer whose recent work keeps me inspired is Laz Yani’s CUTTERIER, which is receiving much deserved crazy love ever since stepping off the runway at #SAFW. Anyone who has had a chance to meet Laz in person, will testify that deny that he truly is an awesome human and this factor was revealed to a degree in his show at South African fashion week with Thandizwa Mazwai’s Thongo Lam (Iyeza) blazing in the backround as the first model went down the ramp, styled with a bird nest ornament worn as headgear covering most parts of the face. I appreciate the fact that the Eastern Cape Native dude cannot possibly be faulted as a thinking designer. Cutterier’s Spring Summer collection is said to be inspired by the travelling woman and sensibly, Laz being a gifted fashion technician that he is, he masterfully created a collection out of a selection of wrinkle-free fabrics, allowing the garments to return to their original state even after being packed. The versatility in this line is not very far from impeccable as it is advantageously stunning across body shapes –I’m talking one dress that will work wonders on a size 2 as it would on… say, perhaps a size 12. With reason, this resort collection seems to gather good hype too. I spotted Metro fm’s Carol Ralefeta and Luthando Sosha from Live Amp looking flawless at the SAMAs, wearing pieces from the line. LOL, I suppose this puts insane pressure on designers whose only objective is pretty clothes, AS IT SHOULD!!!

DON’T CALL IT A COMEBACK!

Blinking in the blogosphere is equivalent to a criminal offence and should probably be well punishable. As much as I agree, I keep advocating that it’s much better to wear blind folders that publishing endless posts about sweet nothing. I believe that readers are not stupid and the very least they deserve is a collective of pathetic posts that have absolutely no point, flavour or signature. To quote my aunt; “You are a creative, so go on and create something damn-it” and if you can’t, know that there will be consequence and be prepared to deal. So every time I stay away from these parts for too long, it truly pangs me, but hey, rather these far and apart posts than a gazillion pieces of rubbish with half of me in them. I know I have a duty to you, dearest loyal reader, but I’m sure you get it too. Where have I been, you ask? Well, let’s just say that the STUFF bit as in this blog’s name is about to take off in a major way and you will be the first to know. Yes, I have been resting and finding awesome little things in other parts of the land too. It’s gonna be all kinds of awesomerry!

CULT COLLECTIVE GIVEAWAY –LET’S TALK EXTREMES!!

Ladies and gents… A whole new level of cool!

FACT: the launch of Cult Collective’s sophomore range reigns among the MUST-ATTEND events in most people’s calendars. I can’t imagine anyone who would willingly want to miss an event which promises to intersect great fashion with the most beautiful artworks (and an opportunity to hang-out in a crowd of tremendously mind-blowing people).Coveted events often ignite one’s unexplainably passionate side. I know this for sure because in my younger years I went through soaring extremes to partake in anything with a hint of cool-kid status. On the real; if you mention it, I have probably done it more than once. You see, one thing all cool people have in common is a tale about sacrifice and dedication, which then tie in with the brand’s core philosophies. Part of Cult Collective’s values are derived from decades of cult iconography and as visibly clear, these are articulated in the collection and this extraordinary opportunity to attend the launch event would mean claiming a part in history. This week’s competition requires your opinion in its most raw and rare form. WHAT EXTREMES WOULD YOU GO TO, TO WIN A CULT COLLECTIVE TSHIRT AND ATTEND THE LAUNCH EVENT? This should be fun, as you Tweet me your comments @Mahlatsej, remember to also drop me a note right here below and hit me up via this blog’s facebook page.  I look forward to it.

STYLIN’ ON AN EXTREME LEVEL!

Congratulations to this week’s winners KHWAZA and MICHELLE. I will keep in touch regarding your Cult Collective T-shirts and tickets to the second collection’s launch event. YAY!!!

YOU GOTTA BE THERE. TRUST!!

CULT COLLECTIVE GIVEAWAY –TIMELESSNESS

I can’t remember the last time #TGIF exuded so much relevance. Throughout this month I have an awesome opportunity to conduct an incredible giveaway in collaboration with Cult Collective –I think we might be playing a part in re-defining history here. Speaking of nostalgia, you have to be dwelling under a jelly rock to avoid a known fact that over the last decade, some of the most pioneering fashion designers of our times looked to influences from the past in order to forge a sustainable career. Brilliant as this practice is, we cannot deny that we live in excitingly fast paced times which deserve a testimony for the future. I think it goes without saying that Cult Collective plays an integral role in executing this sentiment and their expressionistic second collection more than attests to it. This week’s question is requires a bit of thought; HOW FAR IN THE PAST SHOULD ONE GO, IN ODER TO MAKE A STYLISH MOVE FORWARD? Tweet me @Mahlatsej with hashtag #CultCollectiveGiveaway or hit me via facebook or even right here on the blog.
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THIS WEEK’S AWESOMEST GIVEAWAY!

Congratulations to last week’s winners: Jeanne Omony and @Sajivlssuree, I’ll be in touch regarding your tickets to the hottest fashion party and some rad Cult Collective merch!

WINNERS WILL ALSO GET 2X TICKETS TO CULT COLLECTIVE’S 2ND SEASON LAUNCH EVENT.

WERQING THE REAL BLACK PEARL!!!

A couple of weeks ago, the cool kids at PREVIDAR invited me to work with them on their coming issue. To both parties, this meant an awesome relationship and to me, in part, it meant a full sunny day in the sandbox. Still undecided as to how I could hop aboard this project, Hloni Sekwane, their talented Fashion Editor kept me abreast with models’ sizes and a brief which chopped and changed faster than anyone could suggest the seeping return of a butterfly hairclip. On the day, one of the very rare Sundays I sheepishly leaped out of bed way before the cock cleared its throat to chorus a declaration of dawn – it was so bizarre, my level of chirp seemed suspicious to me as I packed up a giant purple makeup case and anticipated a text with the final location.  As it were, Pearl Modiadie was our subject for the day and by this time, we had cancelled out our entire fashionista ideas and styled and shot on an open slate. What bundles of awesome enjoyment we had.  Sans much co-ord, the result is the meeting point of Neo-Goth, the street and a bit of baroque. Check these pics.

IT’S ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT THE BOMBER JACKET!!!

I have such difficulty trying to write a fashion post without a giant sting of newity. You know… a whole blog post that doesn’t report or break anything new in fashion. This small piece is to alert you all, dearest thread loving people –about an inimitable clothing item that still runs afore fashion packs, many decades since its introduction as utilitarian uniform. Yes, the BOMBER JACKET. I can’t really dare deem it one of winter 2013’s greatest “comebacks”. I mean, I know a lot of people who have owned bombers for years (myself included -6 years with one and  4 with the other) and we managed to style it into our wardrobes every winter. This year, merely reverberates many different re-makes in order to mark trend boxes but fact remains, the BOMBER JACKET has never really left. To affirm this statement, Jonathan Evans, penned a nodding note for ESQUIRE magazine and its significance was very apparent if Lanvin’s showcase in Paris earlier this year was anything to go by. Lucas Ossendrijver took a less extravagant avenue with the Fall 2013 collection. Instead, his creative direction seemed to cater to “the forgotten man” too by including heritage pieces in the wide range –great to have seen the zip-up bomber walking down the runway, verifying an uncompromising position in the coming winter.

 

The Lanvin Way!!

I have recently adopted a new BOMBER JACKET from Mr Price’s Jackets & Denim range and I am super tempted to spend all of my winter swathed in it, for it is crazy perfect. I wore it to a football game last week and I will wear it again in a whole lot more of coming pictures. Everything about it represents where I am in style; the length, the fit, the feel and without being outlandish, *insert rapturous laughter here* this bomber holds its own and still allows me infinite ways to style it up or down.

If by some sort of a sad chance, you don’t own a BOMBER JACKET, I advice to do the right thing this winter and whether you go for a timeless number like me in these pics or if you aim for a more trendy vibe, always remember to never-ever refer to it as a comeback trend, it’s been here for years.

 

You can buy my Mr Price BOMBER JACKET here XOXO

When socks just make you so damn happy!!

I tweeted the other day that “I openly judge and sometimes look down on people who wear unmatched socks”. As it always pens out, I have a sad little friend who thinks the opinions I air out on social networks have everything to do with him. Sad I say.  Anyway, yes, I cannot stand mismatching socks quite on the level as I despise counterfeit crap or a mindset which comes across as that. Take for instance, the way every Tom Dick, Harry and their middle dude-cousin thinks they own Happy Socks –referring to their bright coloured socks. What utter f**kery!? I understand an aspiration point and I am all for whishing, hoping and making plans to get a pair of the fabulous Swedish designed hosiery, I know I do. The only problem I have is, when you start telling people that any pair you have with a bit of character is Happy Socks. That right there makes me mad as hell. Call things by their names or shut it.

Geeeee!! Now that was a rant. I think it’s pretty clear that I am a great fan of Happy Socks. Am for every single pattern they have ever put out since the inception in 2008 and I really don’t have any excuse to stock up on a few pairs. While I do the right thing over here, I suggest that you check out their current Spring Summer campaign *images below* shot by Joel Rhodin in Barcelona and Stockholm. So happy!!!

TREND ALERT: FLATFORM CREEPERS!

Reporting from a view above all and towering at a noticeable peak, creepers are the IT right now.  I’ve always had a fear of a disposable shoe trend. I guess it must have something to do with growing up treating the practice of buying shoes as a foremost investment. I still do, contrary to what could be suggested by the record set in that rack in that house I live in. this season I am all for equal elevation from hoof to heel. The 90s “nightmare” creepers are back and I am flirting with an idea to stock up. This trend has D.I.S.P.O.S.A.B.L.E. scribbled all over it, yet there is something cultish and exciting about the possibility of seeing the rest of one’s world from an almost aerial view could come hoard-able. Exciting times, these.