Cameron van der Burgh for Gaschette Magazine.

GaschetteMagazine is undoubtedly one of the best online digital magazines to ever grace South Africa as of current. Since its launch, Gaschette Mag has attracted a horde number of individuals who are interested in the distinctiveness of each publication, the editorial work that overwhelms me each time, the snappy and clever titles and the catchy content are just one of the many reasons why I remain a stan for this Magazine. It’s seldom to find a local magazine that can go over the top and play around with fashion elements just as these guys do, their evocative photography topped with immaculacy and coherency are hard to spot onto any other magazine locally.

So after creating my Behance account last night, I came across Steve Marais account and with my knowledge I knew that this dude was involved somehow with Gaschette magazine, I then found myself on to his activities, a capsule of hot, striking photography, sexy models in artful positions, A different world – I couldn’t stop gasping at their noteworthy work that needs to be commended on. Cameron van der Burgh’s last month’s cover still is my favourite, who knew that an Olympian swimmer like him could pull off such poses – can someone get him a modelling agency! This dude’s latent talent (a bit of anagram there, latent-talent) is about to be revealed.

Image courtesy: Gaschette Magazine

Normcore: Where blending in is the new standing out!

While we all strive to be different and perfect at our own crafts, an emerging trend in the fashion world has sufficed through causing a huge degrade from fashion enthusiasts who have felt rather comfortable with living up to the ‘supreme standard’ of being incompatible and audacious from the rest. Normcore brings forth a contrasting feel, instead of standing out this particular trend encompasses the desire to rather keep things easy, understated and fit in with rest of the humans – their ordinary selves, lives and since we talking fashion their style as well. So you might be wondering is that it? Is the media really going nuts over a trend that has always been around, I mean I’m a ‘normcorist’ myself as I’m this writing this post with my torn jeans a basic white t-shirt and beanie on, mind you all these items are considered to be normcore.

As entertaining as this may seem it’s not all fun and games, the fashion industry is still battling to come to terms with the new trend and how it requires you to fit in with the rest of the normal kids, which I do not understand because the normcore trend is life itself, it’s what you look like when lounging around, you don’t look appealing and on-trend all the time. The same clothing that has been disregarded as everyday or unremarkable has been touched by fashion’s stardust. As always we have daring brothers and sisters who would do anything to stay on trend and be recognized by fashion masses. Individuals who have snapped out of the modernity of looking supreme and ridiculously beautiful to a zone where they have recalled back to the 90’s and 80’s way of dressing.

And man they’re doing it so well dressing with khakis, denim dungarees, black polo necks, polo shirts, ripped jeans, birkenstocks swiftly takes me back to the noteworthy memories; when I was a kid running around with no clue whatsoever that what I was wearing back then would become one of the world’s most talked about way of dressing. Fashion by its very nature is a peacock of an industry – it is bright, bold, extrovert and likes to show off. Thanks to normcore for finally recognizing the rebels that take a different approach to this, those that avoid anything with clashing prints, weird shades and artful poses but feel rather comfortable in something that is – err well there’s no other way to put this – boring. Thank you!

Welcome to 2014 folks, where blending is the new standing – where dressing like a tourist could quickly place you on a best dressed list and an ultimate style icon.

Wrangler's New 'Greensboro' Fit!

Wrangler is proud to introduce a signature fit from their 2014 Winter range – the Greensboro fit. Named after their spiritual home Greensboro, a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina, the fit marks the direction of the brand and the new “Standard” – ensuring a key fit for the quality and casual style.
The fit is regular in the rise, with a higher back than front to offer a comfortable yet modern look and feel. Through the thigh, the fit is regular for comfort and a trim look. Key to the Greensboro’s look is a slight taper from the knee to the bottom hem – giving the impression of a slimmer leg, for a modern standard fit.

The Wrangler new fit Greensboro is available at Stuttafords Stores.

For more on Wrangler:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/WranglerSouthAfrica
Twitter - https://twitter.com/WranglerBen
Instagram - http://instagram.com/wranglersouthafrica

GQ X Craig Port Editorial!

"THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH"

My favorite men's magazine have joined forces with Craig Port for an overwhelming editorial that I so admire, An ultra stylish editorial shot by Byron Keulemans of Boss and Vision Models and with creative direction by Arthur Malan-Murison. All images by GQ Magzine

Style Babe: Rihanna for Vogue Brazil May Issue 2014

Whenever I post anything with regards to Rihanna, I literally perceive her navy clapping and shouting for her (pseudo-imagination). Seriously Rihanna has earned her credibility to a point where you cannot sit still but gasp at her attractive presence onto music videos, red carpet events, editorials and magazine covers. She’s the realest epitome of sexy and has girls aspiring to be every tiny bit that she is – And I don’t blame her, whatever she’s using I commend her on that. The May issue of Vogue Brazil celebrates their 39^th anniversary and they couldn’t have done this without having Bad Girl RiRi onto the cover. Vogue is smart don’t ya’ll think? They really made sure that they feature a megastar and influencer who will definitely sell out these two cove rs just as they did by having KIMYE grace their previous Vogue US cover. On the newsstands cover Rihanna went for a cropped, wet hairstyle with almost natural make-up and she’s showing some skin as always (Are you still surprised?) and has the perfect fierce gazes that only she can master.

Photographer: Mariano Vivanco

Styling: Yasmine Strerea brazil

Location: Brazil

Augustine Autumn/Winter Collection 2014

It’s a pretty difficult task probing for great winter pieces with the intent of spotting something you really admire or an item that resuscitates a feeling you get right after putting on that summer clothing piece, which instantly activates your confidence on to a wildly exorbitant place that only you know of. We try hard as much, I know no one ever says this but we do or maybe it is because of my naturally skinny body that I was once proud of now annoyed at? For the first time ever, after contemplating Augustine’s latest autumn/winter collection on Facebook that also showcased at Mbfwj to add on, really changed the way how I view men’s fashion in winter, It really gave off that summery-excitement joint feeling the extreme, risky and edgy way of dressing was the main threshold of this collection. And you really can’t blame the assortment of these wintry fashion pieces when you have two cool ladies Marea Lewis and Justine August who faultlessly serve us with great menswear fashion trends all round.
 Situated in Parkhurst, Johannesburg where all the magic works happen, this fashion enthused duo keeps the same vision that it always had of detail, the fabric and excellent tailoring and this comes up often on to their latest collection, with a culmination of three main genres that played a mandatory role on to their complete collection, displayed all that Augustine is all about through a selection of great photographic images. I salute the team on yet again a dope collection!

Model: Amello Frank
Photographer: Peter Vosloo
Location: Yeoville, Johannesburg

The Faultless Nike Roshe Run's

I’m at a stage where I resonate well enough with everything Nike sets as of late, I mean who hasn’t been raving around about their latest sneaker collections. The standard that Nike has kept over the years is always incredibly well thought as well as how they make a definite collection easy enough to grab the customer’s attention, how they reinvent themselves and stay up to date with the latest global trends are one of the million reasons that make me a true supporter of this magnificent brand. Drooling away from the unending love I have for Nike[’ys], And swerving on to the greatness that Nike has granted us supporters, to wear their apparel in a more casual way rather than what many people would object and wear their apparel in a more sporty way. They have made it comfortable for fashion enthused individuals like myself to pair their supposedly “sporty” shoes in a more casual way that fits the individuals personality and taste.

My preferred choice recently are Nike Roshe Runs (Specifically the black ones with a white Phylon midsole and a white Nike tick) I have seen quite a lot of ways how one can incorporate these shoes on to their daily outfits. The simplicity makes it easier for you to pair it with your joggers or jeans for instance, I love the fact that it has no embellishments and epitomises simplicity and cleanliness with basic shoe necessities brought to life with every detail. Besides the appearance, the sneaker also has some great benefits. Its versatility makes it optional for you to wear the shoes with or without socks, dressed up or down for walking or just taking it easy. The full mesh upper is excellent for breathability, preventing what happens the most to people considering how their feet get squeezed and how the shoe their wearing lacks breathing space for the feet. This right here conquers all those complications.

The Birkenstock’s Fashion Come-back!

I have never thought that Birkenstocks would make a come-back on to our fashion trend reports. After listening to a group of girls which I presumed that they knew a thing or two about fashion through the threads that they wear wearing that day, they criticized the slightest sight of these defenseless pair of shoes, and at that stage my opinion of Birkenstocks was shattered forever. I always listen to people’s conversations, and no this doesn’t make me of any sort of eavesdropper, I am just interested at how other people think, how they voice out their opinions or whether or not  their opinions do resonate with me. And you come across different things, people with different personalities and different tastes, This I admire because you get to share your inner thoughts as well, it’s more of like a food chain where one feeds of another.  But in this scenario I made sure that I control myself from the triggers of participating in this intriguing “Birkenstock debate” because If I did, I’m sure I wouldn’t have succeeded anyhow, besides when girls are involved you should expect all kinds of drama or let me just say they find it pretty hard to accept defeat.

These pair of shoes have been mocked a numerous times and this wasn’t the first encounter where I came across a heating argument concerning these shoes, growing up, no kid I knew of wanted Birkenstocks, But through the attention that these shoes are garnering from people, Fashion designers and Trend Analysts have acted upon this by introducing Birkenstocks on to their coveted collections, They have transposed the typicality of these shoes and have introduced a whole new dimension of how and what Birkenstocks should look like in the 21^st century. Respected fashion labels like Givenchy, Zara to Marc Jacobs have created their own version of the cult sandal and have revived the 80’s & 90’s Birkenstocks with coloured stingray patterns, two tone coloured palette’s and also denim. So let’s give them a round of applause for having to go an extra mile just to make these shoes modern appealing. So here’s a bit of inspiration and proven rad solutions on how you can go about incorporating Birkenstocks on to your wardrobe. What do you think of this fashion come-back?

Decor: Skinny laMinx x Robin Sprong!

If you have been following my blog since its earliest inception, you will know very well that picturesque apartments, décor objects and wallpapers are admired by this ninja wholeheartedly. Art and creativity can literally be referred to as medication by just the feeling that comes with completing an art piece and having something you never imagined sprouting out and speaking to you in a very meaningful way just instantly places you into a love gaze where only you and the masterpiece on hand share feelings with what you have created or what the other artist has created. Art speaks personality and the emotions at different volumes you might find that what I love and envision big might not resonate well with you, and it’s that one artsy piece that fills you up with inspiration and perception towards everything around you.

And with the incredible interior that Skinny laMinx created with local wallpaper company Robin Sprong is the exact feeling I experienced, when I first laid my eyes on to these images, the alignments, the colour combination, the tribal and classic prints smeared on to the wallpapers are all aspects I find inspiring and a pleasure to look at. These two design teams have joined forces for a great collaboration, a collaboration that has drawn colour palettes of white, grey, pink and mint with touches of beechwood. They have fused these colour palettes into strong, bold designs displaying ageless character. Which makes it a lot easier as the simplicity allows everyone to spruce up their own home a bit.

Image Courtesy: Skinny laMinx

Denim Apparrell for Winter!

Denim has been around, and it is one of the most coveted fashion pieces that everyone should have on their closets, And with winter all up on our grillz (Literally, I dont have grillz, I wish I had.) its time to gear up for this cold season. Denim is imperative for any fashion enthused individual because you find that you want something that's either ripped or has two tone colours which we call ombre, something that adds a bit of edge to your dry dull wardrobe and denim plays that role especially if you have the perfect denim that you feel comfortable in. So here I present to you outfits to try this winter featuring this fashionable piece that never ceases to run out!

SA Fashion Week 2014!

South African Fashion Week better known as SAFW took place a few days ago with first having a welcoming get-together; at a star-studded official opening party hosted by Jameson Select Reserve that attracted South Africa’s A-list celebrities, magazine editors, bloggers basically fashion-enthused individuals who also wanted to make their own prestigious mark and to be recognized by SA’s fashion masses. SA Fashion Week is briefly about showcasing South African talent through threads, an event that provides local designers a platform for them to launch their coveted-latest collections to buyers and the media in runway shows. And with all this happening of course, One gets to see a whole dynamic of how fashion week really works without forgetting the whimsical splendor, the ambiance and just the atmosphere present.

Keeping away from the parties and actually focusing mainly about the clothing, A week bursting of everything fashion, trends and luxury commenced on the 2^nd till the 8^th of April featuring installations and shows like the sheer glamour show by motions and TRESemme followed by Gert-Johan Coetzee, Lunar, Rubicon, Joel Janse van Vuuren, Vino, Black Coffee, CUTTERIER by Laz Yani - crystals by Swarovski and Clive Rundle. With just a quick-reflect on one of South Africa’s most loved fashion designers currently Jacques van der Watts for Black Coffee also showcased his Spring/Summer collection at SAFW that always seems to embrace a distinctive feel, a contrast and re-shapes traditions that result in a familiar yet refreshingly uniquely created collection. Another proudly South African fashion designer who’s influence in the fashion industry has multiplied at a wide-spread acclaim and is respected for his work is Gert Johan Coetzee; having to dress international celebrities, local celebrities as well as pageant queens his work has earned him a title of being South Africa’s Designer of the year! He’s collections are inspired by the red carpet style look as well as featuring his signature look of incorporating metal silver and gold belts on to his garments.

I presume the best part of SA Fashion Week are the installations, it’s always a great experience having to stand there, gasp, to be inspired and to peruse the designs, trying to understand what the designer is really trying to say to you through their plethora of coveted artsy pieces, Installations grants you exactly that and once again Black Coffee featured an installation as well as Cloche on the second night of SAFW. There’s a certain way how installations can be thought provoking and can introduce a distinct emotion, a contrast from the vibe and atmosphere in a runway show. Installations are evocative in a way where you get to understand the detail, the fabric and what the designer was really thinking when creating the collection. Let’s keep on supporting SA Fashion designers; having mediums like South African Fashion Week that help in introducing new blood in the most competitive industry is delighting enough for us fashion forward individuals who want to see the growth and development towards fashion here in South Africa.

IMAGES: Jerri Mokgofe Photography