MONOCHROMANIA

If I could choose a "go to" outfit suitable for just about any occasion, it would most probably be something monochromatic and in Black & White. Be it my pre-occupation or occupational hazard to gravitate towards this combination, I don't quite know. I do however know that most women can pull it off with relative ease. If you are in doubt about what to wear, buy separates and mix and match them up until you get the desired results. It's amazing how easy it is do " dress" up without having to go to town on a budget or designer labels. You can always spruce it up with a classic bag or timeless accessories.  Most of these items worn today are from chain stores like H & M, Superstar and Next clothing, making it relatively easy to assemble something tasteful in a jiffy!

 

 

 Boucle Jacket - Superstar

Turtle Neck  - Queenspark

Pants - H & M

Shoes -  Next

Bag - Celine Boston Tote

 

MERCEDES BENZ FASHION WEEK CAPE TOWN-THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

The last 25 years has seen a steady decline in job opportunities in the fashion and clothing retail industry in Cape Town, leading to the demise of many factories. The inability to compete with the low cost products imported en masse from the East, certainly contributed towards the closure leading to a huge loss of employment. With the dedicated work of AFI, or African Fashion International, the picture has been changed to something far more promising. It promotes the concept of local design and fashion, re-kindling interest in locally made clothes. Cape Town has firmly nestled itself into becoming a world class fashion capital producing the likes of many bright young things. With that said, we are holding our breath for the opening show of the Davids sisters who will be strutting their stuff on the opening night. With almost 30 shows, they must be making a serious impression on the industry, placing African fashion firmly onto the map of global style and design. So start counting the hours for the final countdown.......Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Cape Town launches on Wednesday, guaranteed to spark a new found interest in your fashionable flare! I heard a rumour from the booking site that tickets may just be sold out by now..... So, start queueing for the reserve line if you still wish to get a glimpse of local talent!

 

Now the only concern is to start planning the outfits... as can be seen from my digital plan below, I hope to spruce up  my rainbow with a Bright Blue Silk from Cambodia and geometric printed pants, or perhaps I will be sporting the concept of monochrome......

 

 

NEON GREEN

Can colour influence your mood, or does you mood influence your choice in colour? I'd say that mood is enhanced by sunshine, and that it has a subconscious influence on your choice of colour. No need to say, there was a slight hint of spring in the air this morning, and with the little promise of warmer days, my decision to wear something bright and luminous  was pretty easy. The Neon trend has come and gone, but every time I feel spring in my step, I gravitate towards something with a Citrus undertone, and like leopard print, this colour has firmly settled in my closet. So why not give the winter blues a lift by wearing something bright, or even when you feel a little less energetic, slip into something more colourful to experience nature's tonic! To stretch the brain power, wear it with geometric print!

 

Jacket - Camaieu

Pants - Studio W

Shoes - Tatazi

Top - Country Road

Ring - Ephypanie

Bag - Zara

Chanel Brooch - Vintage

Sunglasses - Ray Ban

AFRICAN RAINBOW

The moment I laid eyes on these precious beads and multi-coloured strands of neck pieces, I knew instantly that I needed some colour in my closet.  Not being much of a costume jewellery fan, I deprived myself of the joy of adding excitement to outfits before, sometimes in dire need of a lift. I was amazed to see how much time and effort goes into each piece, and couldn't find any two pieces exactly the same, making every jewel uniquely artistic. The creative mind behind the little gems,  is Marcelle Swanepoel, of Ephiphanie, who passionately produces every piece by hand, and if you do not find something to your liking, it can be custom made as I have done when I could not find a neck piece in gunmetal recently. Her designs have a distinct African influence with a little pizazz, almost subtly representing the variety of our rainbow nation. Some are more chunky and bold and need you only wear one such piece to make a statement. This is not a sponsored post, but since I've developed such a keen eye for bold pieces, I could not resist to pay her a visit with my camera in hand.

  

 

 

 



FUR OR FAUX?

Looking at this fur gillet, it reminds me of the best expression ever heard relating to dressing according to the weather, and something that I have mentioned before.  The Nordic people say that there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. The moral of the story is that if you are appropriately dressed, you don't have to remain indoors when the weather is bad. Whenever I decide to wear this fur gillet,  it reminds me of the expression, but it also creates mixed feelings about the concept of fur.  Although I appreciate the fact that temperatures drop below zero in some countries and that fur is the only solution to covering up and protecting yourself from the brutal cold, I remain in two minds about it. That said, I decided that if you live anywhere near the Northpole, you should be allowed to wear fur.  In conclusion, I decided to fake it a little, cladding myself against the vicious Cape Doctor, as the South Eastern wind is called when billowing at irrational speed! This morning has seen a drop in temperature again, with the Matroosberg Mountain tops covered in snow. Regretfully it is not enough to allow us to jump into ski boots!

 

 

Faux Fur Gillet - Ginger Mary

Scarf - Unknown store in Dubrovnik

Leather gloves - Woolworths

Suede Handbag - Zara

Cuff - St Georges Walk Cape Town

Pants - Trenery

Wool Beret - Topshop (old)

Shoes - Topshop

A LEOPARD ON THE PROWL

It's hard to move on from a trend so phenomenal as leopard print, no matter how hard I try. One shouldn't enslave yourself to fashion but follow it as a guideline, although some get stuck on it causing it to become a signature look. I sincerely hope that leopard has not become so synonymous with my image that it is perceived as my signature look! I do however have to confess that I like it enough to wear it at least once a week, besides, I am a child of Africa where this cunning and elusive animal reigns supreme. One should never wear more than one item of leopard print at the same time, as it can easily make you look as if you are in camouflage,  hence my introduction of colour accents-after all, the French say less is more! Try this print with Red, Hot Pink or even Cobalt Blue for a very striking look. Subtle use of colourful accessories work well with animal print, reducing the boldness. Have a little experiment if you're in doubt, it might just produce a pleasant surprise!

 

 

 

Coat - Belle Epoque

Turtle Neck Top - M & G Cashmere

Gloves- Prague street market

Skinny jeans - Old

Handbag - Thai Design, Platinum Fashion Plaza

Neckpiece - Handmade by Karin Cane

Boots - Prune, Buenos Aires

 

ART AND FASHION

When art and fashion unites, it produces something completely awe inspiring, and choosing South African fashion designers to represent a particular artist, naturally delivers results that are breath taking.  With Stefania Morland representing the Walter Battiss Company to produce a collection inspired by the work of South Africa’s foremost contemporary artist, we must expect it to be jaw dropping beautiful!   Those of you who are lucky to be on the list of a select few, try keeping your jaws together when the range is unveiled at this year’s prestigious Mercedes-Benz Cape Town Fashion week, starting on the 7th August 2013 at the Cape Town International Convention centre at the foreshore.

 

Stefania Morland established her label in 2005, and excelled at becoming one of South Africa’s most prominent and iconic fashion labels with a distinctly dramatic flare, almost theatrical. No wonder it is often referred to as “works of Art.” With  Walter Battiss being perceived as one of the century's greatest  artists, it is a match made in heaven, and the inspiration for Morlands's summer 2013/2014 collection.

 

“The abstract shapes and figures of his paintings have given us a strong direction for our upcoming collection. His bold shapes and use of colour are a clear inspiration for this range.”

 

If this tantalizes your fashionable taste buds, have a look at the website for more thrills!

www.stefaniamorland.com

Photographs and quote from the same website.