Dirty Pretty Things

The infamous and glorious City of Gold is awash with colour if you look beyond the towering heights of concrete and glass.

Florals, brights and prints find their source in the urban landscape, just look!

Take your inspiration from the graffiti-lined streets, after all, it is a man's world filled with pretty little things.

If prints are too dizzying and if florals smash your rosy-tinted shades, then go pared down in denim or embrace the Breton uniform. 

Let the early morning sky be your inspiration; neutral colours with a hint of something more to come. 

A dash of the unexpected in the form of a gold chain or a luxurious faux fur coat won't go amiss. 

Accessories give a nod to your personality and all of a sudden the practicalities of a hat and shades scream 'this is me!' or whisper if that's more your style..

Take your cue, inspiration exists everywhere.

If in doubt, think 'what would Jimi wear?'

A dash of Prada never hurt too.

The Butterfly Effect

Float like a butterfly sting like a bee...

Maxhosa Knitwear

Winter has been especially cruel this year. (I'm typing with gloves). So naturally my thoughts have turned to woolly jerseys and hot chocolate.

The Design Indaba earlier this year was such a treat, one of the best finds were the jerseys shown above by Laduma Ngxokolo. His range, Maxhosa Knitwear is a collection of mohair patterned knits inspired by Xhosa initiates.

Laduma was increasingly frustrated with the fact that the initiates go through such a culturally-embedded process, ridding themselves of their previous wardrobe after circumcision (burning their whole damn wardrobe *gasp*) only to return wearing infamous Pringle 'diamond' jerseys.

As a result Laduma dreamed up these amazing designs and 'The Colourful World of Xhosa Culture' was born.

I only wish there was a women's range.

By the way, the first two pictures above are also great examples of men's knitwear, the first being from the great www.streetetiquette.com. The second being a snap from the sixties proving that style, real style, is eternal.

Elle Vs. Marie Claire!

Firstly, I have to state that I love both Elle (1st picture) and Marie Claire. I've been a loyal reader of both mags for years. Like a proud mama of two beautiful children I love them equally, but for different reasons.

Recently, one of my favourite parts of MC is their blog-style beauty section edited by Zanele Kumalo (take a peek at her amazing chop). The double page section is always so beautiful and informative.

However, last month I noticed the same layout featured in Elle. I definitely prefer the MC version.

I'm sad to see that Zanele will no longer be the beauty editor at MC, so hopefully it will remain my favourite feature of the mag under the new beauty editor.