Floral Chic

Just like the abovementioned “floral frenzy” this look happens to be quite bold...which only makes me love it more. This shirt was made with a fine print of small orange, pink and purple flowers contrasted against a black background making it the perfect bold evening shirt that can be worn under a jacket or if you brave enough...as is. Again, the details of the shirt are key with the double collar and pink satin tape lining the edge of the shirt and inside collar.

What’s on:

·         Shirt - Soviet

·         Jeans - FCUK

·         Belt - Stephen Cole

·         Shoes - Gian Luca

Floral Frenzy

Not to blow my own horn or anything, but there are very few guys that can pull off the  floral trend. Not that most of them would want to, but I think that that is what adds to the uniqueness of my style. I challenge myself to wear what most men would deem risky business.  This particular shirt was a real eye catcher for me because the floral print is really bold and the contrast between the pink roses and navy background gives it aesthetic appeal. The double collar sits high on the neck and provides it with a stylish detailing that is uncommon in menswear. The jeans are a boot cut and are ripped permitting the ecru weft threads to fray the edges of the rips nicely.

What’s on:

·         Shirt - Soviet

·         Jeans - Soviet

·         Belt - Mr Price

·         Shoes - Z Couzlano

Black and Yellow

I went through an obsession for neon colours. After the obsession passed (quite rapidly) I realised that there were a few items that I had bought on impulse and actually weren’t that great. However, my feelings toward this neon shirt and jersey are quite contrary. This combination of neon yellow and black not only makes a bold colour statement but is also very carefully thought out in detail. The inside lining of the jacket is the exact perfect match to the yellow of the shirt and jersey which allows for an interesting contrast of colours when the jacket is opened up.

What’s on:

·         Blazer - Grail

·         Jersey - FCUK

·         Shirt - Cmen

·         Jeans - FCUK

·         Belt - Stephen Cole

·         Shoes - Gian Luca

Preppy Perfect

I chose this look because I really like the combination of contrasting colours between the shocking jersey and the navy blue blazer. The preppy look has been around for a while but I have so much fun with this look that it has become a staple part of my wardrobe. It’s versatile and there are loads of different tweaks you can do to pump it up for day or night. The nerdy glasses are my favourite pair and the navy frames match the jacket perfectly.

What’s on:

·         Blazer - Celio

·         Jersey – Mr Price

·         Shirt – Pringle

·         Denims – Lee Cooper

·         Belt  - Mr Price

·         Glasses – Calvin Klein

The Streets - Part 5

Rock the Preppy– BJ, Greenside, 24/06/2011

I am a big fan of the preppy look. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but hey, you can’t win ‘em all. I really like the bright blue semi round neck low cut t-shirt cleverly toned down under the teal and charcoal blazer. Simple accessories like a bead necklace or rosary add to the allure of it all and the rocker distressed denims make this look a complete winner in my books.

The Streets - Part 4

Tan-talising- Claudia, Bruma, 24/06/2011

Claudia is a very good friend of mine that never misses a beat when it comes to great style. Working with the current trend of pairing tan to monochromatic pieces, she managed to nail this look perfectly. The detail on her shoes is fantastic, paired with dark skinny jeans it leaves room to take in the sophisticated pea coat and realise...this girl means business.

The Streets - Part 3

Mad Hatter - Farron at Cafe Zucchero, Bedfordview, 24/06/2011

In order to pull off a ushanka hat successfully like Farron is sporting, three things are required:

1.       Confidence

2.       A coat

3.       A very cold evening

I was so glad to find that at least this guy ventured to go for a completely different look than the standard Bedfordview, Friday night uniform which usually consists of a t-shirt and jeans with sneakers. Pairing this ensemble with a pair of high top sneakers just adds to aesthetic appeal of this outfit.

The Streets - Part 2

Virgin Fashionista – Noreen, Rosebank, 1/06/2011

I love this girl’s style. She is a total muse to me. Noreen and I have studied together at LISOF since the beginning of this year and since the first day she has grabbed my attention with her eclectic and fun style. Every day she transforms herself into a different character/ persona and executes a variety of different looks with precision, ease and flair. I love this outfit because on this particular day she kept it really simple with a black tee, leggings and cowboy boots but when passing a promotions team they handed her this t-shirt and asked her to pose for a photo...in Noreen’s usual style...she didn’t hesitate.

The Streets - Part 1

The finer detail – Claudia, Newtown, 11/06/2011

I can hardly think of anything more inspiring than someone who takes the time, thought and confidence to pay attention to small detail that will make all the difference. Pairing this beautifully tailored dress by Trenery with knee high black leather boots is just basic style 101. What I love so much about this particular look is the animal print scarf that breaks all the black and the beautifully crafted make up which makes this look eclectic and original.

Ephymol – A Day at the Yacht Club

I have tremendous respect for any designer that can create a fresh look in menswear without taking it overboard; such as dressing men in skirts just for the sake of forward fashion evolution as some recent trends have illustrated.

I find that Ephymol, never fails to provide gents like myself - that suffer from nightmares about looking like ‘plain Joes - with a cutting edge look without having to worry about being too ‘out there’. For the Spring/ Summer 2011 collection Ephymol have graced us with nautical inspired, tight fitted suits with precise tailoring and bold bright colours. This particular look not only provides the wearer the nostalgic “sailor” allure but simultaneously demonstrated that dudes can be daring in their fashion too.

Images courtesy of Ivan Naude (http://blogs.timeslive.co.za/thefrockreport/)

Black Coffee- "Form-Function-Furniture"

SA Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2011 had a powerful start with Black Coffee’s “Form-Function- Furniture” collection that provoked the idea of interlocked laser cut shapes. These formed broad shoulders and boldly shaped dresses and coats that gave the collection a futuristic feel.

Sandiso Ngubane’s ( The Frock Report) catwalk report praised the labels genius and fresh look for summer by posting up comments such as: “(I) could not have asked for a better start to fashion week”.

Jacques van der Watt has been appointed solo designer for the label and iFashion’s Emma Jordan described the collections aesthetic theme and strong look and feel superbly by posting about van der Watt’s: “fascination with the understanding of form and function, fabrication and fantasy [was] echoed by the grey, yellow, gold, black and white palette.”

Personally, I am not usually the biggest fan of conceptual design but I can appreciate a carefully thought out collection, such as this one that evoked its message of functionality and shape perfectly. I especially loved the pale make up creating a ghostly look on the models as well as the intriguingly shaped afro’s created by Candace Wyatt.

Images courtesy of Ivan Naude (http://blogs.timeslive.co.za/thefrockreport/)

Introduction

Good day people of Jozi. So this is my first post and to be honest I am a little hesitant about the thoughts that my blog will evoke amongst the community of fellow bloggers. Whilst I have seen some really amazing blogs, I have also heard that there are a variety of unspoken blogging rules. I promise only one thing, I will be honest in posts, I will be myself in the truest form and any faux pas made will be completely unintentional.

So here is a little bit about me…

• I am 26 years old…I am a very proud child of the eighties.
• I am of Portuguese descent however I am a born and raised South African Jo’burg boy.
• I have known that I wanted to work in the fashion industry since I was 6 years old.
• I don’t design or create anything…I look at what is already beautiful and simply appreciate it in its entirety.
• Nothing thrills me more than the company of family and good friends, a great meal, an even better glass of wine and finally… feeling and looking good to me is as important as breathing.
• My greatest love affair is with laughter…a love affair I choose to share with others.

A few rules I live by:

• A smile is the one thing that never goes out of style.
• Never argue with an idiot in public. People watching may not know which one you are.
• Don’t eat Italian just because you want to be Italian.
• Smile without reason. Live with reason.
• Everyone has a style, but only a select few have great style.

Why start a blog?

Well apart from it being an assignment, I actually would like to allow people to see life through my eyes for a little while…and if in the very least, I inspire one person to look at something/ anything with a fresh outlook and appreciate its beauty then my job is done.

Ciao for now…