Striped Cardigan

News: iafrica.com Lifestyle Column #35

RED CARPET STYLE FOR YOUR MATRIC DANCE
A piece I wrote as a round up of awards season's red carpet fashion direction. It gives us a great idea of what is going to work for matric dances and other formal ocassions in 2009. Click here for the full read.

Interesting Proportions

First - cute black bolero cardigan. It brings emphasis to the right place, balances out the strapless-ness and anchors this extrodianry tunic. Now, I realise that it is not to everyone's taste, but it is noteworthy and looks like it really embodies her personal style. And in that, it is a winner.

The Red Bag

I do rotate my handbags, but this photo really inspired me to go and dig out a red quilted Topshop bag that I have had stashed away for about three years. The pop of colour is great for the rest of summer and looks particularly good with black, which I wear a lot. Also check out her cute shoes. Thanks for the inspiration lady.

Purple and Green

It's all about colour today - how lovely to see some pops of contrasting colour as you watch the world go by.

And It Was All Yellow

By now you know how I like a simple style. Perfectly ordinary blue jeans with a cool yellow vest and jelly shoes. The simplicity appealed to me as I sat on the stairs.

News: Sham Glam for Africa

An interesting article on the rise of designer fakes and brand rip-offs that are starting to infiltrate here in SA. To read it click here.

Casual Mod Style

Proving that you can still look like a Mod in the heat, this chap mixed up a print t-shirt, messenger bag and check shorts.
I was in Joburg over the weekend and on Monday shooting another project and decided to get a glimpse of Joburg style for the blog. All the photos in this 'walking' series were shot in Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton.

Puffs and Pleats

This is one of the best dressed women I have seen in ages. And, yes, I found her in Joburg. Look at the detail on that blouse. Loving the sleeves. And combined with a great pencil skirt, classic courts and a big bag. Well played.

Beautifully Simple

White shirt, with pin tucks, and jeans. Some flip flops and giant sunnies. That's all you need.

Bold Layering

I love the cute cropped yellow jacket. Layered over the floral tunic dress and jeans. It's a lovely fresh start to the trans-seasonal dressing we are about to start seeing everywhere.

How to Wear Crops This Season

I will say up front that copped trousers make your legs look short. No one wants their legs to look short - out of proportion and very unattractive. But this season there is a new crop in town, and Dawn shows us how to do it. It is best executed in a denim or black trouser. The crop must finish on the ankle bone. It must be combined with a heel - preferably a wedge or a cage shoe. A turn up is the higher grade version (additional stumpification), so make sure you get the balance right. And if you are really going for the A+, try a peg leg trouser. There you have it.
Apologies for blurry picture, was struggling with my exposure that day. So to speak.

Excellent Spectacles

This is my fashion friend Angie, from huge national fashion blog iFashion. As a fellow speccy, I just fell in love with this wonderful frames. Totally rock chick and feminine all at the same time.

Abubaker Style

This is Abubaker, the designer of the Carducci men's wear collection. More importantly a man who knows how to rock a gingham shirt and a cravat.

It's All About the Hair

Keeping the shirt and jeans simple means that we focus on the cool mini mohawk going on with the hair.

Tartan Trend

There is no doubt that tartan is going to be big news this winter. Take a look at the latest collection from Viyella for some ideas. Although for the fashion forward, it is already hitting the streets - as seen at the Old Biscuit Mill recently.

Totem Maxi Dress

I have spoken of this South American label before. I love it since it always uses great fabrics that work well on real women's bodies. It is available at Purr, in the Kloof Street Centre. Just look at the back detail on this one. Stunning.

Slumdog Millionaire Premier

This is Pamela-Rose who I bumped into last night at the SA Slumdog Millionaire premier. Loved the 80s revival pearls and lace combo - but especially loved the brocade summer coat. Most lady like.
Having got that out of the way, please let me tell you that I really did adore the movie. You almost think that the hype could get too much. And the movie is so unassuming to start with that you begin to doubt yourself. But my goodness me, that all changes. Gripping, tragic, funny and endearing, this is a movie for everyone. And for my fashionista friends, just keep an eye out for the exquisite yellow scarf right near the end. I want it. I should have it. And it deserves an Oscar of its own.

News: iafrica.com Lifestyle Column #34

SUMMER WARDROBE REFRESH
If, like me, you are totally bored with your summer wardrobe but still need to make it work for another six to eight weeks of the season, click here to read five top tips on how to do it well.

White on White Layering

Karen thought that the top dress was a bit too see through - after washing linen over the years the fibres break down and it becomes a thinner, more transparent fabric. She also thought that maybe it was a bit short for her teaching job. So rather than tossing it away, she layered it over a fine cotton sun dress - added some bright turquoise pumps and she was pleased.

V Necks and Wayfarers

Colour Pops

Janet again. But note the pop of colbalt in the scarf. The green jacket on the side. You take a white shirt and jeans and you add these colour pops to make it come alive.

The Universality of Teal

I posted last week on a dress that was a wonderful shade of teal - you know that colour that is equal parts yellow and blue, making a universally flattering shade of teal that works for everyone. And here is another one. This one from blog favourite store, Mungo and Jemima.

Men's Statement Shirt

It is so seldom that you see a chap in a shirt that is colourful, cool and making an interesting statement. It really popped in a crowd, and his great smile did the charming from there.

Beige and Gold

I am not a huge fan of beige in general, however when the fabric is right and it is styled with some chunky gold, even I can't say no.

Timeless Boy

I love it when you take a photograph of someone you think looks cool, and you can look at the photo years later and still think that the person looks cool. There is no definitely time or place, it is a style and a look that is timeless. Did I take this picture this week in Cape Town or ten years ago in London?

Carducci Shoes: A Cinderella Story

So I promised you the tale of me and the glorious wooden wedges that graced the runway of the House of Monatic centenary celebrations. One day, just before the spectacular spectacular, I popped in to visit Mark and Francois. Francois was busy with the Carducci Women's collection when I glimpsed these strange looking wooden blocks. He explained that they were the base of a shoe, made to measure specifically for the show by a furniture maker as the shoemakers hadn't been able to get them done. They had just come in and he proceeded to start threading a pair with grosgrain ribbon to show me what they would look like. Of course, you couldn't really tell until they were on someone's feet, so I obliged and had these wondrous items strapped to my feet in no time at all. I declared them walkable and ready and so there they were.

Big in Japan

This divine wee frock was acquired in Japan. The gorgeous little grey shoes are from a charity shop in town. This lady definitely knows how to throw an outfit together.

Today's Treat - C2 and Carducci Scants

For me, this coat is the coat for winter 2009. The plaid, the lining, the fit. Awesome. It's from the C2 range available at Stuttafords. And then there are the boys in their scants. You can't ask more from me today. Lovely.

News: iafrica.com Lifestyle Column #33

THE POLITICS OF FASHION
This week's article for iafrica is an analysis of the socio-political commentary that the fashions from the opening of parliament reveal. Does that sound stuffy and pompous? It's not meant to - I just thought that it was interesting to have a look see at what was really being said if you apply some intelligence to the frippary of fashion. Take a read by clicking here.

Tatum Keshwar and Kate Menson for Carducci Women

Unlike most previous winners, Miss South Africa 2009, Tatum Keshwar, is an accomplished ramp walker. In one of her first outings, she joined this year's Face of Africa winner Kate Menson to walk for Carducci Women at their centenery celebrations. Michael Moll introduced them...