Freedom

I have an obsession with one pair of boots that I own. I have taken to living in them. Forget food, water even shelter. These boots are the future or rather the past. What I mean is fashion goes in a cycle, boots like this were once so huge that if you didn't have a pair people would cease all communication with you. The boots in question Doc Martens.

The Originals

My boots aren't Doc Martens but the creator of these babies was definitely inspired by them. I understand why these boots were such a craze. I'm also so grateful fashion believes in recycling. You can wear them with a dress, you can wear them with jeans, you can even wear them with a tutu.(the excitement overwhelms me) Now I have to admit, these aren't the most aesthetically pleasing of boots, but I realised its not about the boots but the feeling, the liberation they bestow upon the wearer.

The liberation

If Dorothy's ruby slippers had the power to take her home. These boots have the power to give me confidence to dare to wear anything. OK not anything as I am not Ke$ha who tried to make a bin bag couture. I just mean adventure, these boots honestly whisper things to me in the morning, they tell me o wear polka dots, stripes and a giant sun hat all at the same time. They've allowed me to actually say to the establishment that I will not be ruled by rules. Seriously there should be a monument erected in their honour. So thank you dear boots for waking me up.

What does it smell like Kurt?

What are the latest trends?
 I found myself asking this question in recent weeks. The trends for Autumn Winter as I've picked up from magazines and endless scrolling of pictures from the recent Joburg Fashion week, I can definitely say are:

1) Leather - I'm going to say pletha as I am animal friendly

2) Fur - I prefer the faux variety (Save the Fox)

3)Neutrals - Camel as in the colour not the cigarettes

4)Full Skirts - I love this because of the effect you get when you twirl around

5)1950's - Think Marilyn Monroe

Happy Birthday Mr President

 These are the trends in black and white but will anyone actually adhere to them. If the editors used to be the sole dictators of what was worn, and that power is slowly being drained by bloggers and free will ( yes we have evolved to fashion free will) what are we going to be wearing this Autumn? My thoughts - might I add I dream of clothes 6 out of 7 nights a week - are micro trends. Fads, things that come and go like that scarf everyone took to wearing for 2 weeks in 2007.

Is it that simple? Is fashion is becoming less about rules and more about free will? If that's the case what is the point of magazines? Major question overload! I mean every single publication on average is peddling at least 5 of the same seasonal trends at the same time. No jokes! I took to buying every fashion magazine in circulation in one month and counted, needless to say I went bankrupt for the month and had to survive on crackers and cheese. Oh the joy of the student allowance. But hey who says fashion isn't food.

 So if we have evolved to rebelling against fashion ala Kurt Cobain 'Smells like Teen Spirit' grunge era what really is the point of the scary editor in chief judging our every fashion moment. It's not like we going to be following the guidelines of fashion, because the truth is we now making our own rules. And if you not, well, its either you haven't taken that deep breath and owned your look, or you waiting on that last breath of confidence.

Literally: come as you are is the new fashion philosophy

Pics: Google

Confessions: I am a mother

As of yesterday's post, I had declared to wear the skirt that changed my life. It actually has, it's allowed me to view getting dressed in a different way, but that's a different post for a different time I recon. I guess a 'Coming Soon to a blog near you' is in order. Upon getting dressed this morning I decided to take a photo of myself to upload, but since I'm yet to buy a tripod (all donation welcome, just send to the M.E. foundation) I have to take a picture of my reflection in the mirror. Easier said than done. I did so this morning but the flash blinded me so much that I walked into a wall, tripped over my bag and banged my head on the table (in that order). They should put a warning on these things. I mean it could have been worse, I could have cut my head, then I would have to walk around with a bandage on my head and pretend to to be rocking a new look called 'accident chic' a  new take on rocker chic. I had to resort to just to taking pics of the outfit instead. so here goes:

I got this top free when I bought a Wonder bra
Yay me!
The 'pearls' are from China City



I saw this at Michiko London I had to have it.



The only thing missing is a sash and tiara: Miss Universe





The leggings were an impulse buy at Woolworths
darn those queues and their mind control!
Ballet flats from the amazing Mr Price

 Together with these random items of clothing we created a love child. I call her the Emo Ballerina. 

My love child, Emo Ballerina

I'm thinking of investing in a mannequin to do all my clothes modeling, will see how that goes. And yes, I could have taken the picture with out the flash, but since I was channeling a semi demented ballerina I decided that my colour pallet would be black. Without the flash I resembled a burned marshmallow on a stick, I guess my next outfit will be inspired by camping.

1997 is an Inspiring year

Upon getting dressed this morning I found myself heavily inspired by Tavi Gevinson. You know that amazing girl whose being compared to Anna Wintour. Her blog .The Style Rookie is amaze! Now I've been obsessing over her for a while. Not in a creepy stalker kind of a way, but in a WOW kind of way. This girl is 14, can write and gets fashion. Embarrassingly enough, when I was 13 even 16 I was too filled with teen angst and self doubt to even attempt to wear a wig the same colour of my hair let alone a blue or pink one. I still don't think I have the moxy to pull it off. That alone speaks volumes about this 'Style Rokie' she is amaze! What I love about it, what I love about her is; she says shes inspired by an array of things but at the end of it all, they way she dresses is just a representation of who she is. For me that's style in its simplest form and that's all it takes.
THAT'S THE MISSING INGREDIENT FOLKS.

I've seen many girls read a fashion magazine religiously then buy the outfits in the pictorials, and wear them exactly as is. "Cut and Paste" is what I call it. I'm not claiming to be the Messiah of style but logically that's not style that's not even fashion. That's too much disposable income and too much LBA (Lazy Brain Activity). Be inspired by magazines, FTV, everything! Just don't lose yourself in the process. Fashion (well to me anyway) is about self expression, in the sense that take what you see, take who you are, please take the weather into account (suede shoes on a rainy day-not happening) put it in a blender and mix for however long it takes you to get dressed. Finally: SERVE i.e 'That's my incredibly inspired ensemble world, take it or leave it, but I love it.' Magazines, people, blogs, are guidelines, maps (you know its leading you in the right direction but the scenic route is always better). The true measure of a fashionista is not how many trends are hanging in your closet, but how many amazing inspirational outfits you can create and recreate using what you have.

Pics: google

A Matter of Style

I read an article in the Sunday World about Uyanda Mbuli. This was going on about the fact that Ms. Diamond Face Couture was parading around the J&B Met in fake red soled shoes. Yes, Christian Louboutin heels. Now whether or not they fake her statement being 'I bought them in Dubai' is a different story. So, fake or real only Mrs Mbuli knows and quite frankly I'm not interested. Yes it shocking and against all fashion morals to engage in fake designer label buying. I believe True Love Magazine has an article about this in this months issue. My question is this; when did style become solely about designer labels and not the creative genius that goes into putting an outfit together that's look amazing unique and effortless.

Mrs Mbuli @ J&B Met 2011

Here's a thought, if you've ever watched Sex and the City, you would know how Carrie Bradshaw would indulge in her love for designer labels, but when it came to her outfits it was about mixing vintage, bargains, high street and personally. Yes, this was the work of Patricia Field, but this was style. Style isn't about how much a pair of shoes costs its about how much you make an outfit worth. I worry that this is becoming a major sub culture is the fashion society. It's simple, if you can't afford a piece of desirable you have 2 options. The first is, Save, every fashionista worth their grain in fashion magazines knows there's no harm in saving. Secondly go with out that simple. It doesn't make you less stylish it makes you admirable. As some people who feel they cant go with out feel they need to buy FAKES!! Shame on you! Mr Louboutin did not slave over an idea for you to go buy some cheap carbon copy. Its like buying a Fake da Vinci hanging it on your wall and inviting people to come ogle over it. Fashion doesn't define status its an extension. An extension of who you are, and what you believe. That is: fake = bad, real = good, style doesn't only mean designer. Fashion doesn't make you its a 50/50 kind of thing.

The woman behind Carrie Bradshaw's style

I grew up with a style obsessed father, I mean the man has over 100 pairs of shoes, his closet is over flowing that he needs a room just for his clothes. I swear I'm not exaggerating, on an average day it takes him an hour to pick out his outfit finding the right shade of what ever the colour of the day is. He's not even remotely metro sexual he just loves clothes and being well put together. I've never been shopping with my mother, only my dad at the start of each season. Every time we embark on our seasonal trips he tells me the same thing. 'Style is not about designer labels its about artfully mixing pieces to tell your story. See today I'm wearing a top from Mr Price, Guess Jeans, My belt is from Markhams, My sneakers Hang Ten, and my man bag Louis Vuitton.' obviously the outlets and labels change according to the story telling of the day. I always complain about me deserving the latest LV bag, the reasons for me not being allowed one varies, but at the base of it is that there's no greater fashion pride then being able to buy your own genuine high end item with your own hard earned money. That's too true. Fashion is about pride, having that pride shows in your style. Its not about labels or fake labels, its about a combination of everything. Its what Patricia Field did with Carie Bradshaw. So if you can't afford, wait for a sale, if you still can't, find an artistic way to wear your R100 heels and strut. Fashion is your art work. Do it properly, do it well, because its all about you.

Pics: google

Genesis

In the beginning, the beginning was just an idea.
There's more to come...