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5.16.2012

The Philosophy of Style #7

Style is one of those things in life that cannot be bought. It cannot be forced. It is one of those things that simply shows itself.

Yves Saint Laurent famously said that, "Fashion fades, style is eternal." Style is not about following fleeting fads and trends, and possessing all the latest designer clothes. Style is timeless. It is unique to the individual. It is about self-expression, history, culture, innovation, self-esteem...

Fashionistas will not bend to fashion rules set out by fashion editors tucked away in their ivory towers.

They know what they want.

They are no longer buying into the "emperors' new clothes" doctrine; "just trust the experts and wear it whether you like it or not" philosophy. They want real clothes, and they want their attire to reflect their beliefs without them having to utter a word. They want their garments to live in synchronicity with their core values.

I bring you the Philosophy of Style series of posts, detailing selected fashionistas' ideas on style.

Introducing...

Ordinary would definitely not be one of the words I would use to define 22-year-old entrepreneur, Nqobile Mthembu. Everything about her, from her kick-ass eclectic style, to her mission to redefine the perception of vintage clothing with her one-of-a-kind Vince & Spinneli Vintage Authentic Wear, screams maverick. Here's the philosophy of her style:

Zee Fashionista: How would you describe yourself in a paragraph?

Nqobile Mthembu: The spring from which confidence bursts; lover of the arts. Coconut vanilla muffins are my hearts desire. I am a creative who always strives to be better than the day before. Never not working, always an innovator. A stylish individual who does not conform to the norm.

ZF: Where did you grow up and how would describe how you were as a youth?

NM: I grew up in Jabulani, Soweto and moved to Durban shortly after I turned 7. I lived there for about two years and then came back to Jozi, my Jozi. As a teen, I was the absolute introvert - I was very socially awkward and kept to myself. I enjoyed reading - academia was my thing. Clothing was always a means to express myself. It was something I could do better than holding a conversation over boys and stuff. I have loved female wellness from childhood; some may call me OCD but taking care of myself and presenting myself in the best form possible has always been a part of me and overall, who I am.

ZF: Is there something about yourself that people might not readily know?

NM: I love Africa. It's just my calling to take African fashion and lifestyle to another level. I am also born of Malawian roots.

He's Vince; she's Spinneli.

ZF: What do you think style is?

NM: It is what separates an individual from the ever-increasing fashions/trends. Style is how you are able to take what fashions there are and then merge them into who you are. Thus forming a congruent, yet sound relationship between clothes and yourself.

ZF: Who/What influences your style?

NM: The people who influence my sense of style are ordinary individuals, their ability to dress themselves, the different shades and colors of the city ,prints that I happen to be feeling, and music. It is a mindset. There are so many trends that end up sucking peoples personalities in then you no longer see the person but a "live by the norm" mannequin. So in essence, my style is a collective representation of everyday people - some of whom I do not know by name.

ZF: How does your style reflect your dreams/Goals/Lifestyle?

NM: I am all for the dreams of the streets - people who aren't given a voice by corporate holdings. The thing for me is finding a place for yourself in a world of so much mass production. It is about defining and bringing to reality that the streets are not dead. It is about articulating these voices into such a perfect pitch. It is with this in mind that conformity has no foothold in how I dress. The openness to a bigger world than that which we have been granted allows me to define myself anew. It is my goal to offer people a chance to define and perfect their own style, knowing well that this will come to define their lifestyle in its entirety. Having perfected my own allows for better fruition of this goal!

A Vince & Spinneli headscarf that I absolutely must have!

ZF: What do you think is the importance of prevailing style vs. just following trends?

NM: Prevailing style will guarantee you a life on your terms; the trend with style is that there is no trend. You forge your own path. Trends, for me, are a uniform practice. They are great for fueling people with fire and delight, but they do not last. Style is eternal. Know what it is for you and live by it!

ZF: What are the top 5 items in your wardrobe?

1) My vintage Kangol hat (absolutely love); 2) Levis jeans; 3) my first pair of Nike Air Max sneakers (not necessarily a clothing item) but its life giving; 4) high waist zara jeggings; and 5) a black and white native american print jersey.

ZF: What is your winter style advice for men and women alike?

NM: For women, leggings aren't pants, and do give leather a fighting chance. For males there are ways to keep warm by layering your clothes. You do not have to brave the cold - we know you get cold too.

See what I said about great styling? I love these Vince and Spinneli looks.

If the fact that Nqobile's vintage authentic wear brand is called Vince & Spinneli (you know, Vince and Spinneli of the Disney cartoon Recess? Yeah, she's Spinneli) doesn't already interest you, then maybe the fact that the brand comprises retro, unique, perfectly-conditioned vintage pieces for males and females will do the trick. These pictures here are just some examples of the amazing styling Nqobile has done for the Vince & Spinneli website, detailing the items they have available for purchase. Besides clothes, shoes and accessories are also of the Vince & Spinneli brand. I'm already a fan of there's - how can one not love that they also a personal shopping service at an affordable price?

(All photographs are the property of Nqobile Mthembu)

Labels: fashionistas, nqobile mthembu, the philosophy of style

12.14.2011

The Philosophy of Style #6

Style is one of those things in life that cannot be bought. It cannot be forced. It is one of those things that simply shows itself.

Yves Saint Laurent famously said that, "Fashion fades, style is eternal." Style is not about following fleeting fads and trends, and possessing all the latest designer clothes. Style is timeless. It is unique to the individual. It is about self-expression, history, culture, innovation, self-esteem...

Fashionistas will not bend to fashion rules set out by fashion editors tucked away in their ivory towers.

They know what they want.

They are no longer buying into the "emperors' new clothes" doctrine; "just trust the experts and wear it whether you like it or not" philosophy. They want real clothes, and they want their attire to reflect their beliefs without having to utter a word. They want their garments to live in synchronicity with their core values.

I bring you the Philosophy of Style series of posts, detailing selected fashionistas' ideas on style.

Introducing...

Multi-talented. That is the first word that has to come to mind when one thinks about Itumeleng Direro. At just 24-years-old, Itumeleng is a creative producer at Clive Morris Production; a graphics designer; an artist; a model at South African model, TV presenter and actress, Shashi Naidoo's model and talent agency, Alushi Management; a photographer; a writer; and a researcher.

Itumeleng's recent work involves, amongst others, working in the production of SABC 2's 6-part engineering and architecture documentary Man Made Marvels, and shooting a reality show that stars some American women left to their own devices in Cape Town (exciting, right?) - oh, and he also happens to be stylish, as attested to by his runner-up finish in GQ's Best Dressed Reader 2011 competition. Here's the philosophy behind his dapper style:

Zee Fashionista: How would you describe yourself in a paragraph?

Itumeleng Direro: I am fortunate enough to be blessed with an array of talents and personal attributes. I am a humble, driven, fun loving and hardworking young man. Amongst other things, I enjoy engaging with people from all walks of life- I love learning new and interesting things from others. I make every moment count in my life and take advantage of every given opportunity. My motto in life is- “Greatness is all around us”. I draw inspiration from my environment and in turn, share it with the rest of the world through my work.

ZF: Where did you grow up and how would describe how you were as a youth?

ID: I spent my childhood in the Vaal – Sharpeville before moving to Johannesburg. I grew up in a big family of loving aunts, uncles and grandparents. Being an only child, I was doted upon a lot. I was also a very mischievous child just like all the kids in the neighbourhood, yet in front of other people I was very shy. I later developed a great passion for art and athletics when I started school and those God given talents become part of my DNA.

ZF: Is there something about yourself that people might not readily know?

ID: A lot of people don’t know that I am left handed… and obsessed with horror films.

ZF: What do you think style is?

ID: Style is part identity, part sense of expression; essentially, it cannot be bought or sold. It is part of one’s individuality, we can all share the same ideas but no one canshare the same style.

ZF: Who/What influences your style?

ID: My grandfather, who was a tailor, had to be the main iconic person who influenced my style before his passing. He was an influential trend setter back in his day in Sharpeville; a lot of young guys admired his sense of trendiness. He did not wait until Sunday to put on his best look - every day was a Sunday for him. Much like my grandfather, I don’t compromise on personal style, I believe that one has to look their utmost best every day, no matter what you wear; it has to bring out the best in you. I am a huge admirer of contemporary vintage style which forms a significant part of my look.

ZF: How does your style reflect your dreams/Goals/Lifestyle?

ID: I live a very dynamic and demanding lifestyle; my sense of style has to accommodate each avenue of my daily life activities. I like keeping things simple yet unique, I try to stay away from your “papa G” type dress, as different as it may be, some things are just not meant to be worn by others- lol.

ZF: What do you think is the importance of prevailing style vs. just following trends?

Creating an individual style sets you apart from the rest; there is nothing more uninspiring than seeing people buying into the conventional ways of dressing. I believe that it is always a wise idea that your sense of style makes an impactful influence on others. A trend can be something that is popular for now, but a style has the potential to be timeless.

ZF: What are the top 5 items in your wardrobe?

A 3 piece Christian Dior suit that was handed down to me by my grandfather; a black vintage leather jacket; All Stars; Ray-Ban’s; and my vintage NIXON watch.

ZF: What is your winter style advice for men and women alike?

ID: Always keep a good quality scarf and coat in your wardrobe; you can never go wrong with those two items. Colour blocking is great for summer but not in winter, it only leads to a disaster. Oh, and a nice beanie always looks stylish with whatever you wear.

These are some examples of Itumeleng's photographic work. He also recently created a piece that was exhibited at the Afrikarize World AIDS Day Convention in Johannesburg on the 30th of November. The Convention which is an initiative by Afrikarize, a non-profit organization, sought to raise awareness about social challenges like HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, and substance abuse.

(All images are the property of Itumeleng Direro)

Labels: gq, itumeleng direro, the philosophy of style

12.08.2011

The Philosophy of Style #5

Style is one of those things in life that cannot be bought. It cannot be forced. It is one of those things that simply shows itself.

Fashionistas will not bend to fashion rules set out by fashion editors tucked away in their ivory towers.

They know what they want.

They are no longer buying into the "emperors' new clothes" doctrine; "just trust the experts and wear it whether you like it or not" philosophy. They want real clothes, and they want their attire to reflect their beliefs without having to utter a word. They want their garments to live in synchronicity with their core values.

I bring you the Philosophy of Style series of posts, detailing selected fashionistas' ideas on style.

Introducing...

If style truly is a reflection of oneself, then 21-year-old Dan Kalombo Ludovic Ntumba sure must have a glowing personality. There's no doubting his incredible style as attested to by his recent scoop of the first runner up award in the Face of Markham 2011 competition. As a BComm Accouting student at the University of Johannesburg, Dan's aspirations of conqering the business world herald a new breed of young men who are not only strive for career success, but sartorial elegance as well. Here's the philosophy behind Dan's style:

Zee Fashionista: How would you describe yourself in a paragraph?

Dan Ntumba: I am a passionate person who gives of his best in every endeavour. I am a style enthusiast and always try to look my best at all times. I strive for excellence in all spheres of life. I enjoy good food and great company.

ZF: Where did you grow up and how would describe how you were as a youth?

DN: I was born in the DRC and moved to South Africa when I was 4 years of age. I am led to believe (although I have my doubts) that I was a cry baby. My youth was exceptionally fun. I shared many laughs with my older siblings and childhood friends. I was highly adventurous and took part in many pranks in my day…

ZF: Is there something about yourself that people might not readily know?

DN: I am fluent in French. I'm one of four siblings, and I am the first runner up of Face of Markham 2011.

ZF: What do you think style is?

DN: Style is more than just the clothes on your back. It is the manner in which you represent yourself. Style refers to the way in which you personalise your clothes to make them unique to you.

ZF: Who/What influences your style?

DN: I find inspiration from various people, I can be inspired by the common man walking down the street who has taken the effort to look beyond common.

ZF: How does your style reflect your dreams/Goals/Lifestyle?

DN: I am an urban gentleman who has great ambition, and my style depicts this. I am a sophisticated person and wish to one day be in the fore-front of business in the world. I wish to one day own a fashion house where I will be free to express my views on style and fashion.

(please click on the image)

ZF: What do you think is the importance of prevailing style vs. just following trends?

DN: Fashion trends fade with the seasons whilst style is eternal. I feel that anyone is capable of copying an outfit from a mannequin; however, it takes a stylish person to create a work of art from their own creativity.

ZF: What are the top 5 items in your wardrobe?

DN: My blazers (I count them ALL as 1 item); my straight-cut pants; my polka-dot skinny tie; my chocolate brown loafers; and my fitted-leather gloves.

ZF: What is your winter style advice for men and women alike?

DN: Women - gone are the days that blazers are strictly for men. A well-tailored blazer is an essential. Furthermore, accessories - and don’t be afraid to experiment with different layers and textures. Men - trench coats are a must for winter. A man MUST have a blazer at his disposal. Lastly, don’t be afraid to play with various patterns. Oh and one more thing… Please lose the big sneakers. It’s just not cool.

We concur, right?

(All photographs by Yves Paris of AFTERDEF Museum)

Labels: afterdef museum, dan ntumba, the philosophy of style, yves paris

10.28.2011

The Philosophy of Style #4

Style is one of those things in life that cannot be bought. It cannot be forced. It is one of those things that simply shows itself.

Fashionistas will not bend to fashion rules set out by fashion editors tucked away in their ivory towers.

They know what they want.

They are no longer buying into the "emperors' new clothes" doctrine; "just trust the experts and wear it whether you like it or not" philosophy. They want real clothes, and they want their attire to reflect their beliefs without having to utter a word. They want their garments to live in synchronicity with their core values.

I bring you the Philosophy of Style series of posts, detailing selected fashionistas' ideas on style.

Introducing...

25-year-old Rhulani Anthony Bila's blog's payoff line and Twitter bio read, "Simply put, I'm complicated." That alone is intriguing enough. But not only is Anthony an extremely stylish ideator and project manager at the specialist media company, OneonOne, he also paints commissioned pieces, writes and makes music, blogs, and he just happens to be GQ Best Dressed Reader for 2011. Here's the philosophy behind Anthony's style:

Zee Fashionista: How would you describe yourself in a paragraph?

Anthony Bila: I would describe myself as a curious creator who's passionate about life, love and everything else in between. I love my family and my friends. I can be stubborn at times, but I love collaborating and working with driven people. I'd like to think I have a sense of humour too. I'm quite like a chameleon in that I adapt to situations quickly - ironically, though, I'm colour blind. Didn't see that one coming, did you?

ZF: Where did you grow up and how would you describe yourself as a youth?

AB: I grew up in a township in South Africa called Tembisa on the East Rand of Johannesburg. I have fond memories of that place, but I spent the other half of my childhood in another neighbourhood called Bonaero Park, where we moved to.

I'd like to think I haven't changed much since my days of reckless abandon - I was a curious child who loved to read, loved to learn, and loved to create. These are qualities that have formed a big part of who I am. Ursula K. LeGuin once said, "The creative adult is the child that survived", and that is how I think we should all pursue life.

ZF: Is there something about you that people might not readily know?

AB: Well, besides blogging fashion, photography, art and architecture, I actually draw, paint, write music and poetry, sing, and play the guitar. The biggest "known unknown", though, is that I am rather shy and not a great people's person, in the truest sense of the word. In essence, I'm a socially awkward nerd.

ZF: What do you think style is?

AB: Style for me is an understanding of oneself - it's being cognisant of who you are, what you like, and what works well with that. I refer to more than just clothes, of course, but to how you carry yourself and how you treat others. To paraphrase Kanye West, "the prettiest people sometimes do the ugliest things", and that to me that negates any visual aesthetic.

ZF: Who or what influences your style?

AB: I don't have any particular person that I esteem to emulate in terms of style, but there are some inspiring individuals, the likes of Nickelson Wooster and Esther Querk, to name a few. Being a blogger though, there's always interesting posts and people you come across that inspire, rather than influence. Be yourself because everyone else is taken.

ZF: How does your style reflect your goals/dreams/ambitions?

AB: I straddle between the corporate world and the creative world with my work and I've come realise that they can exist in parallel - they are not mutually exclusive. So my style reflects both of these worlds depending on the occasion. My style, I believe, reflects that I want to be independent, pursue my own path (the road less travelled, if you will), and have a lifestyle that has a balance between work and family. A balance I believe most of us are failing to achieve.

ZF: What do you think is the importance of prevailing style vs. just following trends?

AB: Yves Saint Laurent once said, "Fashions fade; style is eternal", so if you think about it, trends come and go. In fact, some trends in fashion have been downright ridiculous ergo if you are constantly trying to keep up with trends, you will lose yourself in it. It's important to find your own style and do that by finding yourself and certain nuances that can be trendy, but they should always adapt to your own individual sense of style, and not vice versa.

ZF: What are the top 5 items in your wardrobe?

AB: My Pierre Cardin suit; Lee Selvedge jeans; Levi's lumber jack scotch shirt; Armani Chronograph watch; and Ben Sherman chinos.

ZF: What is your winter (general) style advice for men and women alike?

Well, hopefully, first off to visit my blog http://www.anthonybila.tumblr.com/, where I'll be covering all the winter style trends. Other items I foresee are coats, trench coats, desert boots, and leather boots too. For men and women, layers will be important. In terms of colours, browns, blacks, greys, and warm colours like red, orange and yellow. Above all else, apply trends to your own individual style. Always.

(All photographs by: Anthony Bila)

Labels: anthony bila, gq, the philosophy of style

9.20.2011

The Philosophy of Style #3

Style is one of those things in life that cannot be bought. It cannot be forced. It is one of those things that simply shows itself.

Fashionistas will not bend to fashion rules set out by fashion editors tucked away in their ivory towers.

They know what they want.

They are no longer buying into the "emperors' new clothes" doctrine; "just trust the experts and wear it whether you like it or not" philosophy. They want real clothes, and they want their attire to reflect their beliefs without having to utter a word. They want their garments to live in synchronicity with their core values.

I bring you the Philosophy of Style series of posts, detailing selected fashionistas' ideas on style.

Introducing...

You could describe 21-year-old Yves Paris as a modern day Da Vinci. Along with being the Creative Director of AFTERDEF Museum Photography, he has a slew of titles and ambitions under his belt.

There's no doubting his talent, or his progressive creative vision. I got the scoop behind his expressive style.

Zee Fashionista: How would you describe yourself in a paragraph?

Yves Paris: I am what pop luxury will be in the next four years. I am a mixture of different aesthetic elements and pop cultural moments. Oh let's not forget, I am an art kid with a keen interest in blurring the line between artistically credible art and a commercially sound art product. I am going to work hard on creating art that will be relevant in the next 50 - 100 years. A man must be ambitious and be willing to work hard - that sums me up.

ZF: Where did you grow up and how would describe how you were as a youth?

YP: I grew up between Soweto, Leondale, Magiliesburg, Turffontein - so I guess I am a proper Johannesburg kid through and through. I am still the same as I was, it's just that now I am a better version. I was always the odd one out but I still mingled with the crowd, sometimes. When most of my peers were doing "normal youth" things, I was in between books, art galleries, hip hop block parties and magazines. I have always been interested in pop culture and just being the best at learning stuff that intrigues me (which to say the least, was totally not ordinary for kids my age). As I said, right now, I am the better version of that, I am involved in pop culture and just learning how to destroy the rule book. I am on route to being the better, more improved Hedi Slimane of my generation.

ZF: Is there something about yourself that people might not readily know?

YP: I am probably the dressed chef in the whole world. I have an addiction for all things good therefore, I feel like I need to be able to be the greatest chef around. So I am still learning how to chef it up. Oh, and people might not know that I am quite emotionally in tune with myself. I throw all my emotions in everything I do. I am just that extremely passionate.

ZF: What do you think style is?

YP: Style to me has got nothing to do with money or labels. Although, sometimes, money allows you learn a lot about style. Style for me is being able to combine your personality with your clothes. It's an overarching language that sets up how you dress, interact, speak and carry yourself in public and private.

ZF : Who/what influences your style?

YP: Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, Virgil Abloh, Pietro Beccari, Hypebeast, Mr Porter and old Italian men who make dressing look effortless.

ZF : How does your style reflect your dreams/goals/lifestyle?

YP: I really find it grotesque that people who are into art (artists), end up dressing drab because they are always physically working. So I am the direct opposite of the stereotype that art kids should dress drab. I want to be artistically credible, like Michaelangelo, but still dress impeccably like Gordon Gekko or Shia LeBeouf (Wall Street 2-esque). So my style reflects my ambitions. It's still a work in progress, because I am still adding and removing style elements to my aesthetic. The tailoring in my clothes reflects my goals to be the the greatest visual artist. The colour palettes are both bold and subdued - a mixture of ideas.

ZF: What do you think is the importance of prevailing style vs. just following trends?

YP: Yooo, this has to be the most important question to date. Look, it's perfectly dandy to follow fashion trends just to know what's happening around you. However, you don't have to buy into every single trend. The importance ot prevailing style is being able to an arbiter, a collector, and refiner. A true style genius is the one who can look at 7000 pieces from Paris/Milan/London Fashion Week and then pick up on ten that he feels reflect him accurately. After picking those ten pieces, he brings them to what he already has and incorporates them to his existing style palette. Yeah, fashion trends are cool but NOW is not the time to be a fashion sheep. As a man or woman you must have an opinion on what you wear - engage with those clothes.

*SIDEBAR - I always find it weird when people say they spent like three minutes shopping or on their look. Weird. When did you take the time to look at the colour, texture and fit?

ZF: What are the top 5 items in your wardrobe?

YP: Gold watch. Grey chinos. I'm trying to add a lot of silk and satin shirts in black, salmon, nude and grey colours, but I have to get it right, so I'm researching it. Red New Balance sneakers and minimal white and grey t-shirts.

ZF: What is your style advice for men and women alike?

YP: I reckon the most frustrating thing is that men and recently women are fashion/style ignorant. They buy whatever they see somebody else wearing or what the magazines put on their pages.

As men, we really need to start paying attention to our style sensibilities. It's something as simple as getting the right watch, the right fitting pants or the right jacket for YOU, not your homies, YOU homie. Women: I really believe women need to quit with the same outfits over and over. I feel like women are taking less bold risks and variation with their clothes. No more leggings - be confident to wear shorts, dresses and pants. Another thing is, magazines need to play a certain role in your style decisions, but not rule your closet. Apply the same idea as I do - gloss over various sources of information and pick up pieces you like. Learn and interact with things that are not in your regular circle.

The AFTERDEF Museum manifesto

AFTERDEF Museum is a boutique photography and art direction agency,

offering small to larger-scale production of editorial and advertising photo shoots.

Our service include all aspects of production and executive production,

with a specialization in luxury and pop , photography , casting, art direction, production.

Our goal is to provide creative vision for our clients while providing a high end service ensuring a seamless production from start to finish and to create images that are artistically credible and commercially viable for our clients.

For more information on AFTERDEF Museum, visit their website here, or e-mail INFO.PARISROME@GMAIL.COM. Or you can contact AFTERDEF's Agent/Manager, Ntokozo Matshiana, at +27 72 090 8526.

All pictures courtesy of Yves Paris and AFTERDEF Museum.

Labels: the philosophy of style

: 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.

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Zee Fashionista

5.16.2012

The Philosophy of Style #7

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The Philosophy of Style #6

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