Bargain Buys:

I have a knack of coming across bargain buys whether I am looking for them or not. The jacket in this post, for instance, was something I stumbled across when I was in Forever 21 casually shopping in Sandton City. There was no sale tag on it and knowing that jackets are usually about R 1000+ I decided to try my luck anyway.

"How much is the fluffy?" I asked. 
The sales assistant replied and I thought I'd heard wrong. I asked her to repeat the price. "It retails for R 350." Both shocked and excited I made my purchase.

(If the picture appears blur due to its high resolution quality, click on it to see it clearly.)

Upon closer inspection I found out that the label read 'R 1200' at first but the jacket was now on sale for a fraction of the cost without it being advertised. This was not the first time I've found things on sale at Forever 21 sneakily placed on the rails so that it isn't an obvious sale item.
Next time you're in Forever 21 make sure to look at ALL the price tags, it could reveal a bargain.

Speaking of bargains another store to look out for sneaky sales is H&M. Although we have access to their online store here in South Africa we cant see what's on sale unless you actually visit the store. At the moment they have some great bargain buys, like their jeggings which are extremely comfortable and are now on sale from R 299 to R 229. Not only that but their padded jackets and gilets with faux fur detachable hoods are 50% off, they now retail at just R 300.

The end of season sales are the best. One of my favourite places to find bargains at this time of year is Zara. Shirts are starting at R 239, shoes for R 459, Tops for R 179 and jackets for R 600. I cant wait to share the jacket I bought, in my upcoming post. It was most definitely worth it.

I've decided that from now on  whenever I spot a a good sale, I'm going to share it with all my readers because who doesn't love a great bargain? I know I do!

Top: H&M

Pants; H&M

Jacket: Foever 21

Boots: Zara

Bag: Zara

Photography by: Layla Shaik Photography

Hair by: Runway Rae

''The Greatest"

On the 3rd of June 2016 the world mourned the loss of one of the greatest boxing legends, 'Muhammad Ali'. Ali was known as "The Greatest" because of his whopping 56 wins from 61 fights and his impeccable footwork in the boxing ring.

Cassius Clay (his former name) changed to 'Muhammad Ali' when he accepted Islam in the 1960's. Mohammed Ali was known for being outspoken, trash talking his opponents quite boldly before boxing matches. Speaking of being outspoken, Ali was also exiled from the US for refusing to take part in the Vietnam War because of his religious beliefs. As candid as he was, Muhammad Ali, always made a great impression on people, hence his other nickname, "The Peoples Champion."

Ali always looked dapper out of the boxing ring, appearing in well tailored suits and skinny ties, however, what inspired me to do this blog post were the very boots he wore within the ring. One with impeccable footwork must have good shoes and in this case it was the infamous boxing boots. Many celebrities like Kendall Jenner, Zendaya and Cara Delevingne have been seen sporting the PUMA boxing boots and so I thought, why not I? 

In tribute to one of the greatest champions of the 20th century, below is a boxing inspired look post courtesy of Puma. The quotes below each image share some of the wisdom from the great man himself, Muhammad Ali. 

(Click on the images if they appear blur due to the high resolution quality.)

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee."

"What you are thinking about, you are becoming."

"If your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough."

"I am the greatest. I said that even before I knew I was."

"Its lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges and I believe in myself."

"He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life."

"The service you do for others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth."

All photos by:Layla Shaik Photography
Hair by:Runway Rae

Youth Day:

On the 16th of June it will be a public holiday in South Africa. What does this mean? A day off from work? An extra day to study before your big paper? Yes but hopefully for you it will be a way of remembering that on the 16th of June 1976, 500 students marched for freedom from oppression in a peaceful protest for what they believed in.

The 16th of June should be a day of appreciation for those who were killed in the Soweto uprising during Apartheid in South Africa. A day of remembering those who had the ambition and passion to represent the youth.  The best way to commemorate the youth movement that took place in 1976 is not to laze about and waste away your day on the public holiday but in some way celebrate yourself if you are the youth or those inspiring youths that surround you. Spend the day with someone who inspires you,  spend the day researching a member of your community who is doing well for themselves from a young age already, who is going the extra mile in their lifestyle, community or career. Spend the day learning from and appreciating each other.

For my Youth Day tribute I was commissioned to do the make up for 7 young models for the KISUA Youth Campaign photo shoot. Being part of the youth in South Africa, I strongly believe in supporting local campaigns and fashion and learning from every process and person involved in the SA fashion industry and community. Look out for the KISUA youth campaign images and the inspiring models who took part in the shoot. 

Below are some images of me in a recent photoshoot supporting the local brand KISUA:

(If the images are blur - due to the high resolution - please click on them to see the image clearly.)

Have an inspiring Youth Day everyone!

Alice is that you?

My blog has become more of a business rather than a hobby lately, which isn't a bad thing at all but sometimes that makes it easy to forget why I started blogging in the first place. I'm a person who likes unique clothing and putting clothing together in a unique way. I wanted to keep a journal of my ideas and show people more about the playful approach I had to putting looks together... and so RMfashionary was born.

This shoot was done mainly because my friends and I wanted ice cream but also because I haven't done a fun look post in a long while. As most of you probably noticed on my Instagram I love taking flat lays of quirky items that I discover while shopping. Socks are my favourite quirky accessory lately.

Here's my take on Alice in Wonderland with an overload of pink...

(Click on the images if they appear blur due to the high resolution quality.)

Jersey: Woolworths

Skirt: Mr Price

Sneakers: Superga

Socks: TopShop

Bag: Aldo

Speaking of Alice in Wonderland, the latest film Alice through the looking glass has just come out in Cinemas and it's a must see. The costumes and make up were spectacular throughout the film. 

The costume designer behind the colourful dress that Alice wears is Colleen Antwood. This lady clearly knows what shes doing as she has had the whimsical job of creating costumes for movies like 'Edward Scissorhands,' Memoirs of a Geisha', and 'Chicago'. The most exciting news yet is that she is rumored to be designing costumes for the up and coming Harry Potter franchise movie, 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.' I cant wait for the film to come out, perhaps It will inspire me to do my take on a Harry Potter inspired look post.

All photos by: laylashaikphotography

African Princess:

I wonder if it's a South African thing to get excited when someone tells you, you look as though you're from another country and find joy in someone saying that they look exotic and from another land.

This past month I worked with an African brand 'KISUA' and wearing their clothing truly made me feel as though I was an African Princess. I am proudly born and bred in South Africa, many people always comment that I look as though I am from elsewhere, but truly in the twenty first century people of all colours, races and cultures are spread all over the world. I am so happy that these pictures reflect the African heritage that has surrounded me while growing up. 

(Please note that if the images appear blur it is because it is a high resolution image, it will be clear if clicked on.)

Every girl has her moment of feeling like a princess, whether its their matric dance day, their wedding day or being 'daddy's little princess.' I am lucky having felt like a princess in all the above instances and the below shoot for KISUA which made me feel like a princess once again.

Playing dress up is fun, especially when you get to do so with beautiful clothing.

This shoot was done in the heart of Newtown at the back of an abandoned building with the ground below it covered in rubble and dirt. Who would have thought? There's beauty to be found everywhere.

KISUA:

If you have been following my blog for the past few months you would have noticed that I have been wearing a lot of clothing from KISUA. KISUA approached me to do a campaign shoot with some of their favourite designs from their newest collection.

On a chilly Autumn morning the team set out to shoot in Newtown, with the clothing on I truly felt like an African princess! Aside from the beautiful clothing and exotic African prints, something that I love about the brand, they also make a special effort to support local businesses in their manufacturing process which is commendable. 

Fun fact, "KISUA" means "Well dressed person" in Swahili and I am so excited to show you, just how well the brand dressed me...

Myself and Bianca Koyabe (Model)

KISUA recently launched an exclusive range of  head wraps. What makes these head wraps unique is that all the proceeds from sales go to the Tomorrow Trust. The head wraps are priced at just R250 each. 

 You can style their head wraps in so many different ways, this was one of my favourite styles. 

KISUA collaborates with several designers that are based across Africa from Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria too.

Visit the website below for more information about where to shop the looks or shop the looks online at: kisua.com

Photography by: Urban Fashion Lifestyle