Show ♥ to...

Labels: jessica virgin, show love to, vintage virgin

posted by Zinhle Zee Mncube @ 9:09 AM 1 Comments

Silence please

posted by Zinhle Zee Mncube @ 3:10 PM 0 Comments

Coco-gate

“As a high fashion model I have long had a policy of no nudity or partial nudity in my photo shoots. For my recent Elle Brazil cover shoot I wore a body suit under a sheer dress which I now find was photoshopped out to give the impression of me showing much more skin than I was, or am comfortable with. This was specifically against my expressed verbal and written direction to the entire team that they not do so. I’m extremely disappointed that my wishes and contract was ignored. I strongly believe every model has a right to set rules for how she is portrayed and for me these rules were clearly circumvented."

Will magazines ever learn...

Labels: coco rocha, elle brazil

posted by Zinhle Zee Mncube @ 2:45 PM 4 Comments

"Everyone is after vintage now"

"Hey, I love your jacket. Where'd you get it?"

"Oh, thanks. It's vintage."

How many times have you heard that response?

If you go to any flea market today, you're bound to find a stall selling 'vintage' clothes. Talk of vintage clothing is ubiquitous in the blogosphere. Every Tom, Dick, Harriet and her posse is quick to claim that their clothes are all vintage, which begs the question - are vintage clothes just a load of second hand junk that the media have put a spin on and which we now think is fashionable, or are vintage clothes genuine, rare, 1920 to 1980 designer pieces only? Is the label 'vintage' just a license for shops to raise prices?

But, first, what exactly does it mean to describe something as vintage?

The term 'vintage' was originally associated with the year wine was bottled. In reality, wine gets better is ages; therefore when it gets ‘vintage’ it's quality is magnified. The word got into general usage when old cars were marketed to novelty collectors, who indicate interest to pay how much it would take to own such collectibles. Years passed by and dealers of old or second-hand clothing used the word to relate to their own merchandise. Initially, the term vintage clothing was used to refer to old clothes. Currently, numerous buyers and sellers use the word vintage to describe previously owned or second-hand clothing aged 25 years and more.

Jane Aldridge, of Sea of Shoes, in vintage Lillie Rubin. The tweed jacket of the mannequin is vintage Chanel, while leather jacket with the lion medallions on the other mannequin is vintage Moschino.

Here's is an interesting take on the "are vintage clothes passé/are passé clothes vintage?" debate by Catherine of Hepworths Vintage Fashion.

What we are seeing I think is the cresting of the "Vintage" wave driven by mainstream fashion marketing for about five-ish years. Vintage clothing originated as the preserve of the chronically groovy - Hendrix in his military jacket, Courteney Love in her satin nighties, Kate Moss in a 1920's beaded thing. Trawling the old school vintage shops was a luxury reserved for arty farties/the fashion confident/people who had the time.

It is no coincidence that the Vintage trend has risen alongside the growing cult of the Stylist, which in itself comes from the shift towards exposing the workings of pop culture. Pop stars used to dress themselves. Then it got slick & they had help. Then the help became stars themselves - Exhibit A: Gok. Then there's the "Street Style/What I Wore Today" blogs: The Sartorialist, Susie Bubble etc, who have made fashion inspiration accessible. And the professionalising (word?) of the charity retail sector, which has made second hand shopping desirable to people who would not have entertained the musty rummage fests of my teens, has also had its influence.

I could go on. Old/vintage garments/accessories have always been used in fashion. They just got commoditised.

Enter the High Street Retailers.

Under the guiding hand of brilliant marketeers - Top Shop et al. I'm looking at you - the idea "Vintage" became a high street trend; a mix of the "bunting & cupcakes" aesthetic (yawn) and a look fetishising Festival wear. The zenith of the madness for me came when West Quay shopping centre here in Southampton held a Vintage Weekend promotion I wrote about it here. John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, H&M, East; not a second hand garment to be seen.

The nature of the fashion business - every business - is change or die. So "Vintage" as an idea was bound to get boring. It is a necessary moment if consumers are going to be tempted into rejecting one trend in order to adopt the next. To spend.

But here in my world - where vintage is simply a definition of age & not any particular style, we will continue to use our nouse & flair to identify beauty in old garments and offer them back to a new generation to wear in new ways. And we will be fine. We may need to find a new word for it though - any ideas?

 How do feel about the use of the term 'vintage clothing'? Can we call 90s clothes 'vintage' or should we indeed have a new word for 'vintage'?

Labels: vintage chanel, vintage clothes

posted by Zinhle Zee Mncube @ 1:14 PM 2 Comments

Hey Riri

Rihanna at Coachella 2012

We love those!

Labels: rihanna, shoes

posted by Zinhle Zee Mncube @ 11:49 AM 0 Comments

I see through you

I don't know what I like more - the rings or the transparent mani. Beautiful.

Labels: nail art, rings

posted by Zinhle Zee Mncube @ 11:22 AM 0 Comments

Cover(ed) baby

Labels: covers

posted by Zinhle Zee Mncube @ 10:56 AM 0 Comments

Cheap and chic

I recently spent a good hour looking for some items to buy in the Johannesburg CBD, and with a little patience, just look at the gems I found. Oh, and they were pretty cheap too - everything here is under R50 (that's under $6 or just under €5). Budget buys, ladies and gentlemen. Budget buys.

Labels: budget buys

posted by Zinhle Zee Mncube @ 8:30 AM 8 Comments

Caught in her web of style

Natasha Ndlovu, of Snow Black Blog, kills me every time with her amazing style. The absolute beauty that is this Kenneth Jay Lane ring - insane! I can't. I need this ring in my life.

Labels: natasha ndlovu

posted by Zinhle Zee Mncube @ 4:58 PM 0 Comments

How I met your mother

Wow. Now this is how all mothers should look. You know - dressed in head-to-toe chic Burberry and Fendi ensembles, walking around town with sky-highs on, ponytail waving in the wind, and super well-behaved kid on hip.

Right. Ok. Maybe that might just happen only in a perfect world.

Unless you're Victoria Beckham, or course. That is exactly who model, Maryna Linchuk, channels in this Vogue Russia cover shoot. Lensed by Alexi Lubomirski and styled by Ekaterina Mukkhina, Maryna is the embodiment of the super stylish mom.

Labels: maryna linchuk, victoria beckham

posted by Zinhle Zee Mncube @ 4:49 PM 1 Comments

Pieces by PAP

The fact that my life is currently extremely hectic as a result of a grueling Philosophy graduate degree, I am only just now blogging about Siyabonga 'Scoop' Ngwekazi's 'Pieces by PAP' (Parental Advisory Productions) clothing launch I attended in Joho (aka, Johannesburg) two weeks ago - I know, cray.

Now if you've ever watched one of the numerous shows that Siyabonga has presented over the years here in South Africa, then you'll know that the man sure can dress. These pieces are just only the beginning of what promises to be even more great clothes that are sure to be a favourite in the urban youth market. Fittingly, each of the pieces are available at the DopeStore at R850 a pop. You just have to admire Siyabonga's great work ethic - those pants with the Ndebele print - c'maaan! J'adore.

Labels: pieces by pap

posted by Zinhle Zee Mncube @ 4:29 PM 4 Comments

How to lead a life less ordinary

We all have days when we look in the mirror and sigh with disappointment at what is looking back at us. But with a few simple changes to our lives, we can all look and feel amazing again, and what better time to make those changes than in spring?

Top of the rule book is taking care of number one. Eat well, exercise regularly and don’t feel guilty about spending a bit of time on yourself – whether that involves having your hair done, giving yourself a pedicure or just relaxing in the bath. Allowing yourself these luxuries will help you to feel so much better about yourself, and about life.

What we look like has a huge impact on how we feel inside. So take advantage of all the wonderful new spring fashions on the rails this month and refresh your wardrobe with some flattering, bright new items. Look through your old clothes and throw out anything that you don’t feel great in. That old pair of jeans that doesn’t really fit anymore? Definitely time to go!

Buy something fun and summery to lift your mood.
Evening maxi dresses are really in this season – available in loads of different colours and patterns – and are super flattering, covering up a multitude of figure issues. You’ll feel better straight away!

There’s nothing like a new hobby to make you feel young again. Start a dance class – whether it’s tango, ballroom or salsa – and enjoy getting fit and meeting new people the fun way. If that’s not your thing, why not think about joining a cookery class? It’s the perfect excuse to organise a glamorous dinner party for you and your friends.

If life is dull, do something about it. A quick fix is to grab your suitcase and passport and jet off on holiday. And whilst it may not be easy to just drop everything with family and work commitments looming over you, it’s easy to start planning something to look forward to. It doesn’t matter where it is – as long as it’s a place to turn your phone off and finally get through that book that has been sat on your bedside table collecting dust for the past year.

So, next time you catch yourself heaving a sigh, remember that injecting some fun and glamour back into your life doesn’t have to be as difficult as it may seem.

Labels: evening maxi dresses

posted by Zinhle Zee Mncube @ 3:48 PM 1 Comments

Behind the scenes

Labels: glamour south africa

posted by Zinhle Zee Mncube @ 11:55 AM 0 Comments

I've got friends with style

Labels: fashionistas, i've got friends with style, nomsa sasa moloi, style

posted by Zinhle Zee Mncube @ 10:57 AM 0 Comments