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16 September 2013

Gold Digging


Last year Elle and Blackberry launched the first competition of its kind in South Africa, The Elle style reporter in association with Blackberry. The search started in full swing in July and by the closing date it had received over 296 entries. From this pool of bloggers Elle and Blackberry narrowed it down to 18 and eventually the super seven finalists. Tonight Elle and Blackberry draw the competition to a close with a big bang celebrity flooded, uber-social, uber-cool crowd filled the first (blog) party in South Africa. With Elle Belles and celebrities dressed in the latest, cutting edge and evolving fashion trends I just had to live blog this moment – my very last post as a Elle style reporter finalist - for the benefit of those who were to broke, tired, far or just genuinely couldn’t  to make it out that night.

Such a unique event should be matched with just as equally unique crowd.  So it seems only fitting that it all came to an end at our very own city of dreams, city of gold, Egoli - Johannesburg. In this city anything and everything goes in the search for fame. With a jam packed room filled with only the coolest people in search of their own claim to fame and flashy gold deco to match, It was all about the individualism coming through that night. With groovy sounds from Djs like Zinhle, I could not stop bobbing my head. And every individual in that venue had pulled out all the stops reaching for a unique edge in their look. 


The city is flashy, its stylish and it’s fun. The best way to sum up the event is through the eye of my lense as it captured an anything goes style. So here goes. 


















Here is to this year's event. Look forward to what new finalists bring...Goodluck to all competitors.

01 September 2013

I'm every woman!




Growing up, as a young black woman in KZN, I was exposed to many different female stereotypes. For my sisters and I, the idea of a woman’s role being submissive and all-obedient to the man conflicted with what we desired. At family functions, the girls were meant to be in the kitchen, or take care of the children. Our mothers had to wrap their heads and wear long skirts or dresses in the presence of men. The very notion of the man having to “bring home the bacon” has haunted me day and night for as long as I can remember because my dreams were bigger than that. I wanted success, control and power. Maybe I’m a feminist, but that’s okay because I wanted to break free from those stereotypes. I wanted to challenge the status quo.

My dad wears a suit every single day, even on a Saturday. He used to say that we should show success not only in the way we speak but also in the way we carry ourselves. He is one of the most successful men I know, not because he is blessed with wealth but because he has come through the toughest of times and has made a name for himself, one that has earned him great respect from his peers. This is why I’ve always associated a suit with class, power and most importantly success. But there is something so alluring and dominating about a woman in a suit. She is fearless yet comforting, gentle yet cut-throat and at the same time, sexy and sophisticated: she reminds me of my mother.

My mother has always encouraged me to dream big. She understands success and when I was growing up, just like my father, she wore a pantsuit to work every day. In a work environment that encouraged the female norms, she pushed through and dared to be different. She challenged “the man” as a confident Zulu woman, how rebellious, how powerful. What inspires me most about a woman in a suit is that a woman in suit is every woman. She is the breadwinner, the mother, the wife, the successful career woman and most importantly she is a fighter. 

The driving force and very stylish leader of the pack for this look has always been Yves Saint Laurent. The rebellious designer captured a movement through his classical “Le Smoking” tuxedo suit for women. This late 60s collection was the first of its kind to earn attention in the fashion world and in pop culture. It pioneered long, androgynous, minimalist styles for women, which then led to power suits and pantsuits in modern-day society. This look has been echoed in fashion photography by photographers such as Helmut Newton who would photograph female models in slicked-back hair and manly suits. These were all the signs of a change in society. Yves Saint Laurent was seen by many as empowering women by giving them the option to wear clothes that were ordinarily worn by men with influence and power. This was a symptom of a need for a cultural and economic change for society and women.






Although the look was initially worn as formal business attire it trended into mainstream fashion where elements of the look were mix-and-matched with other trends to keep the look casual and light such as the waistcoat trend in 2009, the classic tailored button down shirt trend, the more recent blazer and tailored women’s trouser trend. These are all elements which emerged from the classic Le Smoking tuxedo line.







YSL started a trend, rocked to perfection by Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex in the City 2, the Kardashian sisters, Beyonce and Rihanna. Designers such as Raf Simons, who debuted his first haute couture collection for Christian Dior at the Paris Haute Couture Week in July 2012 and from whom Dolce and Gabbana  draw inspiration from. Although this look was established in 1966 and trended in 2008 it remains a classic today in 2012 for style-lovers all over the world. And for as long as it continues to empower women like myself, this look will remain as the metaphor for gender equality, and is here to stay.







 For your viewing pleasure here is my interpretation of the every woman.















Power to the sistas!


Lee   
 





19 August 2013

Weekend Madness



Going Cold Turks

Every second Sunday Cape Town is treated with the ultimate in weekend entertainment: Cold Turkey. The perfect way to end the weekend on a high, the event features local and international DJ’s and reflects Cape Town’s diverse culture with electronic music and braai vleis (what a duo). Chilled-out electronika, neck-bobbin’ hip hop, messy dubstep and a spectrum of sounds in between, is served up with your drumsticks and pap. This event fuses the different elements of pop culture that Cape Town has to offer: from the location in industrial area of Woodstock, to the Graffiti styled building of Amadoda Braai all the way to the ever-trendy devotees who populate it. It’s no wonder celebrities like musician Lauryn Hill and Clifton Shores’ Reality stars Katy Johnsons and Kathy David have been spotted enjoying a chilled Sunday afternoon with the Cold Turkey crowd.




This week was no different. Epic electronic mixes from DJ’s Danger Ngozi and Sisterfella, dominated the sound waves, and effortlessly merged with the rhythm of people’s steps. The drinks were over flowing and laughter was freely shared. The order of the day was go wild. This unique event was matched fittingly with an array of trendy, stylish, crazy and sexy apparel. Some opted for timeless Chuck Taylor’s while others chose Doc Martens. Either way, the dance floor was the place to be.

The style that was met by Cold Turkey’s alternative vibe varied from rocker chic, to patterns galore, differing right to the fit. Simply put: crazy, sexy, cool (if I may borrow from TLC). The assorted sounds of the day invited different style characters to mix and mingle. This crowd accurately reflected Cape Town’s multi-faceted street style: some like it extreme and in-your-face whilst others prefer simply chic, laid-back elegance. Whichever way they choose to play up their looks, it worked and it looked darn right hot!

Here are just some of the street style looks that tugged at my heart…






























Lee