LUSH AND PRINTED. HERE’S TO AUTUMN!

This has to be by far my lengthiest pic based post in the tremendous history of this blog and I am almost certain that looking at these images, you too are likely to understand that I simply could not have left a frame unpublished. Photographed by my beloved when we took time-out from the city jumble after an intense season; I realised on the final morning of the retreat that I could coordinate a print-on-print-on-print-on-print outfit with pieces recently acquired.  It all pieced up, I think. Needless to mention (in parts) that for a human who fashions even in his sleep, I spent a great deal of that weekend in sweats, hoodies, swimshorts and vellies (and yes, I totally spoke of myself in 3^rd person). One’s excitement reached peak levels as I curated this look (vellies in tow), befitting for these trialling fashion times. Trialling because a change of season usually thrusts a tinny and exciting hiccup in one’s stylin’ missions. Some people cannot handle the “challenge”. I, on the other hand, thrive on balancing a comprehensive knowledge with the tout sera sera of it all. This here, is the autumn fitting result. All many frames of it!

GOTTA HAVE THEM NEW JOGGERS. WIN WITH SPREE

I am typing this whilst observing one of my favourite things to do outside of the barricades of a SALE sign. I am people-watching through my window. Surveying humans as some of them settle into an admirable routine of sorts, straight after a blissfully long Easter weekend. I cannot help but wonder about their possible wonders for their wardrobes. Particularly in this loom of what feels like a rather frosty winter season ahead –if the morning chills are anything to go by. I know, I am going crazy for some of the pieces I spotted at spree.co.za’s AW15 collection preview. There is a pair of Head Honcho joggers I am simply dying to get into.

Presumably taking lead from the much celebrated trend of injecting athletic elements into everyday wear, this pair of pants forms a key part of SPREE’s street relevant range of local designer gear aptly headlined The Collective! I was fortunate to have gushed incredibly at the collection just as it was revealed, in Cape Town, a couple days ago. Imagine the sensible next piece to have in your closet. A piece so appropriate it could even transcend seasons. The ribbed and padded detail on the knee area is a remarkable update to an item that has become a definite wardrobe staple.

… it always all in the details…

Logically, I am dying all kinds of deaths for a pair and will stop at nothing to hook up one. Good news; you too can hook up something nice at www.spree.co.za. We –the rad retailer and I- are feeling super generous and to celebrate all this awesomeness we are giving away a R500 Spree Voucher. All you need to do is drop me a comment *in the essential comments box below* and simply tell me how you would style a pair.

Gushing for the vid.

Good luck and #WERQ

#HotToBag: THE KG WINDIE.

I love a good windie, I do. This is definitively all because I spent a great deal of the preceding chills’ spell enveloped in all kinds of wonderful pieces and I certainly do miss my “uniform”.  I don’t think I have ever in my entire life as a fashioning human, been so eager for a winter season to creep in with its crisp temperatures, in many parts because I do believe that tis the season to distinguish the real fashion folk from the rest – the seemingly fervently scantily clad kind, I mean! My other reasons feed an excitement to restock layers. At the moment, I am going crazy in circles for the quilted windie from Kurt Geiger’s winter 2015 collection.

Within its European heritage, Kurt Geiger continues to distinguish its range with finer details and intricate stitching. And I figure that this windbreaker epitomises the brand’s tailored and structured motif for this year’s winter. Every single detail carries through an efficient level of sophisticated luxury. Super updated and can (should really) work across all types of wardrobes, all because of its ceaseless benefits. i.e. an ability to can (and should) sculpt one’s torso.

It is my definite #HotToBag item right now.

STYLE CRUSH: A VERSACE JUMPSUIT.

I can finally say that I am totally ready for a jumpsuit. I am grinning from ear to ear as I write this because I have witnessed the emergence of a one-piece trend a while ago when I still served in magazines; I stood steadily on a fashion junction, fidgeting over the possibility of ever making a decision to own one. I mean, even though I have seen a large variety of interpretations throughout the seasons and even gone as far as recommending some stunning items for a couple of clients, never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that I too will at some point in life want one so bad. Because… well I know myself too well.

This simply means that I would to town with nitpicking every bit. Ideally I would love to look a little more like an updated 70’s revival bloke with all the fine tailored details and escape any chance to possibly resemble a grown-ass-human campaigning for a lullaby –trust, it could get ridiculous if not warily well thought-out.

I am crushing real hard on all three of the nothing-short-of-perfect jumpsuits seen in Versace’s newest collection showcasing threads for the Spring of 2015. Right up my radar, these pieces exemplify everything I stand for right now: classic in fit, cut for comfort sans jeopardising newness and laudability in design to carry out the fashion house’s congenial communiqué.

 Trends come and trends go but the “onesie” game in the pics here below has me considering pledging an alliance with the Versace medusa and also dexterously take part in inflicting a set up of the single piece suit onto the menwear front. Yes, the jumpsuit and boilers for dudes have been on the radar for a quite some time but, nowhere near achieving the staple piece phenomenon earned by creations for women which must bring in big money… if the global demand is anything to go by.

Yes, I want me a fine jumpsuit.

Pics by style.com

#WERQ

A FRIEND IN THREADS… STYLIN’ DANNY.

I’m almost certain that I probably speak for a lot of Stylopolitans by alleging that we all have that one friend (or five) who just won’t indulge us, as far as managing their wardrobe is concerned. Forget the known fact I am actually not very bad at it – I mean, if a decent living is made from such an exercise. Well, I must done a whole lot of good by recently changing my shower gel because for the first time in history, my tight friend of over 10 years called for my expertise to style and photograph him for a project he was working on. Exciting stuff I tell you, especially because Danny, my friend, didn’t have much of a brief. As a matter of fact all I got out of him –despite my random and untameable Michael Jackson style kicks- was a strongly articulated “you know I’m not too keen on the ‘high fashion’ stuff, can we please not go there?” Of course I grinned and pretended not to hear a thing as I dug myself a tunnel through bits and bops inside in closet. We spent hours and hours playing a grown up and mannish adaptation of dressing up; colour coding and colour clashing to create frames we were both happy with. The goal was to make him look like the best version of him under a bit of guidance and I think we achieved that with these pics. Unfussy, relatable, yet considered with timeless notes. Unfortunately, I cannot share all other outfit options (blood, sweat and tears kind’a stuff) so, do enjoy these here.

#WERQ

PADDED, STRIPED AND STUFF.

Remember last month when I tried my luck at the full furred face steez all for #Movember? A cause well worth all the bushing hairs on my chinny-chin-chin, but darn it, one’s fashioning tactics have never been tried quite like that… for an entire month. My biggest challenge included styling my looks accordingly whislt still trying to advocate my pay no never mind to “set rules” mantra. I espoused a heck load of nerve –categorising my wardrobe into “cleaner masculine lines” #Whateves. I mean, that’s a bit of a stretch from my usual nonconventional approach.  As you can imagine; this called for me to roll up my adorned bell sleeves and bring it all back to basics –for a little while. I wore one of my favourite looks (churned out of my bottomless box of tricks) at a themed horse race and it just so happened that I was also listening to a lot of retro Grace Jones music at the time, which called for a stronger shoulder line and a nipped in waist. I also pinned in collars of my lusciously striped shirt to add a bit of fluidity on a structured upper body. #JustForControl

Spotted with MTV Base’s Sandile Ntshingila at the Sansui Summer Cup.
Source: Zkhiphani.com

LENGTHS? WHAT LENGTHS?

I feel like a fed-up school-kid who just cannot deal with all these rules as set by Lord knows who. There is so much pleasure in sensibly wearing stuff the way you want to –heck, most (if not all) really good stylopolitans play the furthest from boxified fashion missions. In the same spirit, I dared to test inner rebel without cause and fashionably protested against all rules about sporadic hemlines, folds and tucks for one night and ONE NIGHT ONLY. Truth be told; I was under an unreasonably sad curse of really and truly not knowing what to wear and approached this look with nothing but an idea to resurrect my kinship with last season’s amazing greys. The distinguished multi-length vibe was nothing intentional. I swear. As a matter of fact; I pieced up age appropriate (whatevs, I know) night time festival chic collectables starting my styling point with a trilby, autumn-esque floral prints, a black tailored mid-length waistcoat, hardware style black belt holding up high waisted Escada pants (well deserved brag rights I say) and an up-to-date nod to sports luxe elements via the high-tops. Just to wave and wink at starched fashion tribes; I have to declare that I can get away with pairing high-tops alongside dressier ankle length pants (yes ma’am) because I am a on the lanky side of things. So let this be a lesson to anyone who has ever wished to veer off onto a perilous fashion lane; there is an unprecedented level of chic (if I may) right before the pits stop. Now go #WERQ

#SAFW: MAN MAD ABOUT SHOULDER LINES.

Remember when I wore a light velvet cape on Day 2 of South African Fashion Week, as part of my black-on-black-on-black uniform? Yeah, it turns out it that my little attempt to “pilot” the trend on a street style level boderlined on a childsplay vibe (modest much?). On the very runway; a selection of menswear designers showcased a novel direction to which menfolk should approach an adoption of the trend. I am talking bold, lager than large shoulder lines steering the future into a significant high fashion leeway.

 

ROMAN HANDT

I think if I continue raving about my OBSESSION with Roman Handt’s thrilling headspace, a part of me should just crystallize and stand the test of time #YeahIsiadIt. Every single show of his eradicates my conventional ideology and leaves me wobbling about with a fresh perspective on EVERYTHING!!! His recent Autumn-Winter 2014 collection proved once again, why I believe in unapologetic innovation. I especially developed a strong crush on structured pieces designed to adorn shoulders. The reaction from attendees suggested a very clear look far into the future (tech and all) and I found that in equal parts; Roman Handt celebrated manform from an era before, an era when strength had a resting space atop a man’s shoulder blades.

PALSE HOMME

 

Paledi Segapo’s design motif for the coming cooler seasons indicated a complete shift from the previous season’s Luxe take. From my understanding, his references echoed tales of an 18^th Century vampire legend –hence the moody colour palette, rich fabric textures and so much strength across shoulders. The collection is aptly called “Evil Is A Perception” and I took from it, an age-old symbol of masculine pride post combat. Well, vampires’ vs werewolves in this regard. Male model; Manyano walked the ramp draped in a faux fur shawl atop a panelled velvet suit, signalling a stylish triumph. Now that is a man who wears his pride on his shoulders.

NAKED APE

 

FACT: Sheldon Kopman knows and understands clothes very well.  Recent attestation is all over his A/W 2014 collection for Naked Ape which personified a man of great style in every manner imaginable. His ability to intersect traditional tailoring and street style elements is commendable and keeps marking anticipation boxes, season in and season out. Great precision was clearly considered when producing this collection and I think the brand’s signature BaSotho wrap blanket keeps undergoing innovative upgrades. This season saw the wrap cropped up front with a functioning out-stitched zip-up detail, handsomely folding in the two tonal creation, engulfing one’s shoulders and resulting in a chic global silhouette.

It’s been decided; next season shall be all about manly shoulders.

Photos by SDR excluding the lead

 

ALL ABOUT BRETT YVES’ THREAD MOTIONS.

One of the great benefits of doing what I do is the opportunity to make friends with super stylin’ individuals across the globe. I am a strong believer in the concept of great minds fashioning alike and this is definitely the case with me and a good friend of mine; Brett James Murray Foxcroft, a Durbs born stylopolitan based in Paris. Brett and I have been in contact for over two years via cyberspace vibes and only got to hangout when he was on recess a few weeks ago. Funny story; we didn’t know that we shared a mutual friend, so when we eventually hooked up; it became inevitable that we really are cut from the same cloth. We both believe that MORE IS MORE and life sans expressionism is a life half-lived. Check out his blog here and you will understand why Brett’s sartorial tactics are my lifeline. I live for the reassurance that when I roam around doing my thing locally, my boy is holding it down in France. #WERQ

MXO #WERQs HIS MONOCHROMATIC BLUES.

Anybody who can rock the heck out of monochromatic vibes and not even look like they are trying too hard is my kind of human. I will take off one of my many hats for selected pieces in Mxolisi Luke’s wardrobe any day. I am beyond obsessed with his taste in sartorial refinery and even though he wears a three piece suit (and I mean on the daily) like no other, when he flirts with vigorously acclaimed trends; he #WERQs them hardest. In this pic my boy is having a grand fashion moment in an electric blue gear-up he made from scratch –I know, right!? *snarls rhythmically*. Anywhooo, I have a crazy crush on this outfit, especially the fact that he blended in a bit of character by wearing those rose-grey lace-ups with blush pink laces, I mean, otherwise he would have resembled a glinting extraterrestrial backdrop of a Katty Perry and Kanye West music video. This is one of the few perfect examples of how to #WERQ the monochromatic trend and there is absolutely nothing gloomy about these blues.