Fun with Zando:

I've always been sceptical about online shopping. I've never been sure if I'd get the goods on time or if they would be the same quality in person, because let's face it clothing pictures can be deceiving.

Zando approached me about wearing their brand for SA Fashion Week and I thought I'd get out of my comfort zone of being the traditional shopper for a change; and so decided to wear their clothing for one night.

Zando is one of south Africa's leading online shopping platforms that stocks brands like Aldo , Jeffrey Campbell , Adam & Eve and many more. 

Zando so kindly gave me a shopping voucher to the value of R2500 with which I used to purchased a black and white Adam and Eve coat and the below clothing items. 

Dress: Adam & Eve (Zando)

Shoes: Zoom (Zando)

Sunglasses: My own

 I love the wrap detailing at the waist-line of the dress!

I was so happy with my online shopping experience I can't wait to shop from their site again! The quality of the goods was better than expected, the sizing was perfect and the delivery was instant. If that's not enough to be excited about, Zando has also given me the opportunity to gift one lucky follower a R1000 gift voucher. 

Rules of entry:

1) Follow myself and Zando on Instagram

2) Comment on my Instagram about my Zando outfit 

3)Tag a friend to do the same

The winner will be chosen at random in one week from today. All the best! It will be well worth it.

AKEDO:

I feel strongly about supporting local talent, which is why I like to dedicate most of my posts to those talented local designers and brands. My dad is a local menswear supplier of mens formal wear. Little did I know when I was growing up that seeing him deal with clients and come up with creative styles and designs for clothing, it would influence me so much.

When I was born my dad took a risk and followed his dream to pursue something he loved, clothing. This is the reason I feel so strongly about supporting local fashion businesses. My family wasn't doing well before my Dad started his business but the minute he pursued something he was passionate about everything started falling into place. He always says to me that I was the lucky charm, that everything started to go his way after I was born, I realise now that it wasn't luck but his hard work. I admire him and my brother who also works in the business just as I admire the many other individuals who make up the South African fashion industry.

One of whom is, Eleni, a talented designer from the brand Akedo. She has been someone who I wanted to feature on my blog for a while. She is a creative that isn't afraid to take a risk by designing arbitrary and beautiful designer clothing. Akedo showcased at the recent Mercedes Benz Fashion Week and I was highly impressed by every design in the collection,  the phrase "local is lekker," is the most fitting description.

To see more you can follow this direct link: Akedo

These are some of the unique garments from her collection which I found highly versatile, you'll see why below.

I wore the Akedo skirt in two ways:

  I also wore the Akedo dress in two ways:

Now to get ready for SA Fashion Week next week, I have some exciting give aways coming up during the week so keep your eyes peeled!

Photo's by: Layla Shaik Photography
Akedo social media: Instagram - @akedo_official
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Inkaturah Jewellery:

I may be a fashion blogger but I have never been much of a jewellery person. Unless the item is a completely unique statement piece, I won't be in a hurry to purchase or wear it. During Fashion Week 2016, I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to wear Inkaturah jewellery and it definitely was the kind of jewellery that made a statement, which is why I dedicated a blog post to it.

The name of the brand originates from the designer Phati’s second name which means perfume. “The analogy of a person’s scent to their character is often used,” Inkaturah is thus aimed at representing the character of the person.

The essence of the brand is for the jewellery to be able to tell unique African stories. The wearer is able to tell their own unique story by choosing an accessory that best represents their character and taste. These were some of my favourite pieces:

  

You can place your orders with Phati via email: info@inkaturah.co.za

Find the brand on Instagram:Inkaturah

Hair by Raeesa E

All photos by:Layla Shaik Photography

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week 2016

This past week was Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in association with AFI. The event was held in Nelson Mandela Square where everybody came to show off their best fashion whether it was spectators or designers.

This was my first Fashion Week working for the Sunday Times. My days started at 9am till 3pm, after the office I would rush to get done for the events and huridly make it to Sandton in time to meet the street style photographer Chris. The rest of the evening would include me running into fashion shows and afterwards running backstage to source clothing for my editor that we are going to be using in a photo shoot for Sunday Times Fashion Weekly on Monday. Let's just say I managed to get my fair share of cardio in for the week. The next day would include pretty much the same routine as well as me writing an article on the round up of the previous nights event that would be due in the office at 10 am.

I've been going to Fashion week since I was 17 and I've always done Street style and written "round up" articles as a hobby. Little did I know that a few years later I'd be doing it as my job. Having to meet deadlines and run around during Fashion Week can be tiring (especially when work days end at 11pm)but it's taught me so much and for that I'm grateful. Everyday I'm getting a little closer to where I want to be.

Here is my round up of the three days of Fashion Week. I wore Kisua (available online and in Hyde Park) for the first two days and for the last day I wore The Skirt Couturier (Find her on Instagram for more) with a Kisua coat. 
 

Day 1:

 Myself and the Sunday Times team.

 

Day 2:

 

Day 3:

 

 

 

 

...and that's a wrap.

 

Photo 1 by: Chris Saunders

All other photos by: Layla Shaik Photography

Hair by: Raeesa E

 

 

Change is inevitable:

The past two weeks have been so busy that I haven't gotten a chance to sit down and blog. Thankfully things seems to be quieting down now -more like the calm before the storm- until Mercedes Benz Fashion Week kicks off this week Thursday in Nelson Mandela Square.

Despite photo-shoots at Sunday Times, working days that ended at 7p.m. and my husband going in for surgery I found a spare moment to go to the Rozanne & Pushkin launch last week.

Rozanne hasn't designed her own merchandise for quite some time, but now change has come and the rails in her store are filled with charming tops and dresses that spark from her creative genius. I've included some of the images from her latest range below but would highly recommend that you stop by at her Rosebank store to see all the lovely clothing for yourself. A special shout out goes to Rozanne for changing, evolving and beginning to design again.

 

 


Speaking of change, so much has changed this year for me personally, I have less time for myself but whatever time is taken from me or given to me I have come to learn to accept that change is inevitable. Change is good. Change means that you're not stagnant and that you are experiencing growth. I'm looking forward to catching up on tons of blogging over the next couple of weeks so do look out and well, I hope that any change that's happening in your life turns out to be all for the better.

PS: I wore the outfit below for the Rozanne & Pushin launch

Tee: River Island Men

Skirt: Forever 21

Shoes: Nine West

 

All the images were taken by my friend and colleague Lydia Wessels

A Guide to My City, Johannesburg

The best thing about travelling is the exciting new people you meet along the way. What's even more exciting is when people travel and specifically ask to meet you. This past weekend I got a lovely surprise when 'Neyla,' a Paris based blogger reached out to me and wanted to meet up.

My dream team and I took her to the San Deck in Sandton for virgin cocktails and a fun shoot at sunset.

 

Neyla mentioned that she wanted to experience Johannesburg to the fullest in three days and to be honest I was caught off guard and had to think deeply about what she could do. She laughed and asked me to write a guide on my next blog post about the best things to do in Johannesburg and that's exactly what I'm going to do. Little did I realise that it would be hard to keep the list short.

My top list of things to do in Johannesburg:

1) Visit Neighbourgoods market in Braamfontein (Saturday's only)/ Arts On Main market (Sunday's only) for a unique food and clothing experience with lots of local flair.
2) Picnic at Hyundai Mushroom Farm Park in Sandton and go for a mini hot air balloon ride for just R95 (Adults).
3) Take the Red City Bus sightseeing tour to learn more about Johannesburg History (Highly recommend for locals to do as well, stops include: The Carlton Centre (Tallest building in Africa, The Apartheid Museum, Newtown Precinct, constitutional hill and Gold Reef City - to name a few.)
4) Visit Bounce for a unique trampoline experience/ Rolling Cherry for a retro hour of roller skating fun!
5) Take a drive up Northcliff Hill at sunrise where you can see a spectacular view of the city.
6) Enjoy breakfast/ High tea at the Four Seasons Hotel,The Westcliff .
7) Visit The Bioscope for artsy outdoor movie screenings.
8) Visit the Sunday Market at Rosebank Mall (Sundays only)
9) Go bungee jumping off the Soweto Towers for those who are daring/ For those that are more in tune with wildlife and nature, visit The Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve
10) Go to the San Deck at sunset for drinks.

You can follow Neyla on Instagram by clicking here.

Top: H&M

Skirt: Pengelly

Shoes: River Island

Bag: Mango

The lovely and friendly Neyla was only around for a few short days before jetting back to Paris which is why I kept the list limited to ten things. Trust me, even if you're a local, Jozi has a lot to offer . This is just the tip of the iceberg.

All photos were taken by Layla Shaik Photography 

Style evolution:

It's uncanny for your style not to change as the years go by, with the change in trends and your own personality. I for one have evolved from a little tom-boy - believe it or not - into a diverse fashion lover.

Not everyone knows this about me, but I enjoy playing football a lot and so my 'style', if you can call it that,  from a young age involved several Manchester United soccer tops and jeans. Luckily there's a concept called "style evolution"... I may still be a fan of United but lets just say I don't show my support as much as I used to!

The biggest thing that allowed me to evolve in my dressing was that I no longer listened to what others told me to wear. "You're too pale to wear this colour; You're too short to wear that; You're not busty enough for that look; That shoe is too ugly." Once you stop listening to the opinions of other people who probably need to take a look at their own dressing before they look at others, then only, will you find your true style. I don't believe in colours or styles not suiting a person. If you're confident in what you're wearing I can guarantee that you'll look great! Bare in mind that not sticking to limited styles and colours of clothing DOES NOT mean disregarding your body type. Your body type should be the only factor that changes your mind about your outfit.

My style has changed so much in the past few years that I hardly wear jeans, I love jumpsuits but my absolute favourite items to wear are lady-like skirts and dresses. I wouldn't say I follow trends tremendously but I am influenced by them.

Some trends I can't shy away from at the moment are: 'incorporating sneakers into everyday wear' and 'tailored work wear,' which inspired this outfit post. I suppose I've switched to tailored work wear outfits because I've started working in a more corporate setting, but the nice thing about working in the fashion industry is that there are no limits in terms of what you wear. I'm wearing what I like because I want to.

Shirt: Zara

 Pants: Zara

 

 Blazer: Asseblief Vintage (Neighbourgoods Market)

 Shoes: Call It Spring

To end off this article, my ultimate style tip to you is: don't limit yourself and you will be amazed.

Photography done by: Layla Shaik Photography

Hair done by: https://www.instagram.com/rae_ebrahim/

Make up done by me.