<data:blog.pageTitle/>

7.31.2012

Introducing CaratStones.com

The perfect outfit is never complete without the perfect jewellery. Now while clothes are even more readily available today in South Africa, what with the rise of the demand for the convenience of online shopping, I've never really been sure where to find quality, unique South African jewellery.

That was before I was introduced to CaratStones.com, an on-line jewellery retail store that sells the very best collections of both renowned and new South African jewellery designers, and that timeless jeweller I just love. I reckon that if you're going to invest in jewellery, it better be jewellery that is not only of quality, but is also exclusive. That's exactly where I was sold by Carat Stones.

CaratStones doesn't just sell jewellery online - they also give you the chance to create your very own custom jewellery, by offering the dedicated service of designing the desired jewellery and sourcing just the right precious stones to go with it, all for you. And with former French marketing manager, Eugenie Vellieux - with her several years of experience in the European jewellery industries of France and Italy - as the creator of the site; you have good reason to trust in the quality, service and knowledge CaratStones.com offers.

These are some of my favourite pieces from their catalogue:

Talk about statement jewellery - I love this Tile Cuff from the Smith Jewellery Collection.

Tassle Black Earrings from the Joya designer collections. Cocktail dress + these beauties = perfection.

The Bianca Double Gold bracelet from the Joya designer collection. There's just something so special about handwoven bracelets.

Studs are a definite essential. My favourites are these Round Diamonds Claw Studs from CaratStones.com's core range, The Jewellery Box.

Jewellery lovers, unite. Visit CaratStones.com for the entire catalogue, and more information on their services.

Labels: caratstones.com

7.23.2012

Who needs pants?

Good question right? Who the hell needs pants if you can look this great without them? Okay, okay, a little caution. I guess models Lindsey Wixson, Sui He, Elza Luijendijk and Jasmine Tookes do kinda have the genes and physique to pull the 'no-pantness' off. But screw it, supermodel or not, this is hot.

This is a Sebastian Kim-shot editorial for the latest issue of Numéro of which Lindsey Wixson is also the cover star. Styled by Charles Varenne, the models are clad in striking pieces from the likes of Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière, Alberta Ferretti, and Dolce Gabbana that pop ever so beautifully against the industrial background. Hotness!

Labels: lindsey wixson, numero

Spiky

The Vintage Virgin is outchea killing us with her style. That spiked Nasty Gal head band, that spiky pony, heaven deliver us from this fashion beauty! The level of love I have for her style is insane.

Labels: vintage virgin

Leave that Boy alone!

What do Andy Warhol, Madonna, Rihanna, Jessie J, Punks, club kids, and New Romantics have in common? All of these fashionistas have worn the iconic clothing brand, BOY. Founded in 1977 by Stephane Raynor, BOY has a rich, whirlwind history. William Wright desribes the brand thus: "Adopted as the uniform of choice for every youth movement that has mattered, the brand has outlived them all, with the unmistakeable spirit that underpins all things BOY remaining the same today as when it was first formed..."

At the height BOY's fame in the 80s and 90s, the acid house movement was adorned with signature BOY tees. BOY was the label of the decade not just for its innovative new trends and styles, but also for its notoriety. From its riotous catwalk shows, to the scandalous happenings at the brand's Parisian nightclub 'CLUB BOY', BOY was on everyone's lips. Despite its popularity and notoriety, BOY closed its doors in the 90s under the growing pressure of the international market. But as with all good stories, it does not end there.

Loyal BOY fans kept the brand alive in charity shops around the world, and finally, in 2007, founder Stephane relaunched the label at his latest store, SICK, in East London. Today BOY, with its classic prints and one-off pieces, is back in demand. A staple at basement parties, design studios, and in Rihanna's kick-ass closet, BOY now has a generation of new, young fans. It goes wothout saying that I am one of them. BOY leggings, repeat vest, and rara skirt on order...

Ah, this is the kind of fashion I live for. J'adore.

Labels: BOY, jessie j, rihanna

7.18.2012

Cover(ed) - will the real K-Mid stand up...

"Fashion's new royal icon wears SA's best local design" - these are words splashed boldly on the August cover of Marie Claire South Africa next to the image of the Duchess of Cambridge clad in Clive Rundle ensemble. But that is not really Kate Middleton. It's actually a fan art tribute to Kate, because the Duchess just does not pose for magazines. Marie Claire does acknowledge the fantasy on the cover, however, with a "Of course, she doesn't [wear local designs]. But she should." PS. The reaction from newspapers and websites around the world is telling:

"Fake Kate Middleton Covers Marie Claire South Africa"
"Marie Claire's 'big scoop'"
"Marie Claire explains THAT Kate Middleton cover…"
"a Frankenstein cover featuring the head and hands of Kate, stitched onto the body of a fashion model"

Marie Claire's editor, Aspasia Karras, has tried to explain that, "The cover is actually a hyper-realistic illustration of Kate, meant to be a fan-art tribute to fashion's new royal icon,"

"We approached five illustrators with the idea and asked them to have some fun imagining what it would be like if Kate came to South Africa on a state visit and decided to wear clothes by our favourite local designers," she says.

"We chose Clive Kirk's hyper-realistic drawing for our cover."

But of course, the controversy remains. I don't know about this cover. I am a Marie Claire fan, but the cover definitely did strike me as strange. Creative, but strange. Maybe something to put inside the magazine, but on the cover - I'm not sure.

What do you think? Is this really the false advertising it is being made out to be? Or is this just genuine creativity?

Labels: kate middleton, marie claire

Supreme Beauty

I cannot get over how beautiful Diana Ross is. This is serious model attitude right here. J'adore.

Labels: diana ross

Her name is Ajak

Her name is Ajak, and she is a Sudanese stunner. Legs for days, smile - infectious, my absolute love for her - unquestionable.

Labels: ajak deng

Nasty Gals do it better

I've been a fan of Nasty Gal for a couple of years now, and I must say, I am obsessed with the amped up direction they've been taking with their lookbooks recently. This is the July lookbook, aptly titled 'Silver Streak'. Yes, that means super slicksilhouettes, and chrome and graphic details that are sure to step up any outfit. This is the stuff style dreams are made of. The lucite heels have been having tripping over their level of beauty. And how gorgeous does Ajak Deng look? She is one stunner. I want all of these pieces.

Labels: nasty gal

7.06.2012

Scent just in

So my brand new scent is Reb'l Fleur by Rihanna. Now when Rihanna spoke of the inspiration behind the fragrance at its launch in Macy's Department Stores in January last year, she said, "I wanted…something that said 'Rihanna was here.' Something delicious and special, a fragrance with subtle hints that linger and leave a sexy memory." And leave a memory it does. Not only is its edgy bottle enticing - a horn shaped, slashed with black, and adorned with black and gold bottle topper rings little thing - but its unique spicy, flowery, musky tint is a complete winner. This is one celebrity fragrance that I will be wearing for a long time. Perfectly saucy and perfectly innocent. J'adore.

Labels: reb'l fleur, rihanna, scents

Dress.To.Kill.

I am seriously starting to love all of Dress To Kill Magazine's editorials. The kind of pop-culture inspired looks that photograher, Max Abadian, captures model Grace in are literally to die for. I mean c'mon - acid wash, leather, colour-blocking, flashy accessories, AND that bleached hair? This is just the kind retro 90s feel that I unashamedly vibe with. This is seriously out-of-this-world styling by Cary Tauben - run the streets kinda dressing. Man I love this!

Labels: dress to kill magazine

Pitti Uomo

Here's to men whose everyday get-up is "dress up":

The great thing about Italian men is that they need no reason to "dress up". Style, this kind of style, is so intrinsic to their culture that its not even that big of deal to walk around in a 3 piece on any given day. Granted, these pictures by Nam are from Pitti Uomo, the tradeshow in Florence, Italy, that marks the official start of the men's fashion season. But Pitti Uomo or not, Italian men are always kicking fashion ass. It's small wonder that some of the world's best men's fashion continues to come out of Italy. J'adore.

Labels: mens fashion, pitti uomo

: Name: Zinhle Zee Mncube; Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Eclectic - that's how I would describe myself. From fashion, to music, to philosophy, to sport, to haute cuisine, my interests are wide and varied. I'm a 19-year-old journalism student who dreams of days in a plush, east-facing office, signing off the latest issue of a top fashion mag. Days of walking through the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in my gorgeous Maison Martin Margiela boots. My heart is South African but my soul is French. Onwards and upwards - that's where I'm going.

View my complete profile

Subscribe to
Posts [Atom]

This Page

Zee Fashionista