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| Karl for H&M |
| 06.22.04 (7:58 am) [edit] |
Good news for H&M... Karl Lagerfield is going to design a collection for the chain. Hes already a big fan and claims to wear their clothes because he is highly impressed with the tailoring. I love H&M, I just dont know how they do it. Their clothes are so well done inside & out and so very affordable.
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| Ushers new Video |
| 04.26.04 (7:46 am) [edit] |
Just saw the New Usher video for[i] burn [/i].. I must admit Usher is looking really nice. The video was apparently shot at Frank Sinatras old pad.
His style sense has also evolved and he is lookin' mighty good.
I really love that song soooooooooo much right now.
Usher attempts a choregraphed sequence twds the end of the song. I swear that boy could dance to a prayer if he had to.
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| Top Model era over? |
| 04.10.04 (10:30 am) [edit] |
These days its very rare to see a model gracing any of the top fashion magazines. Is the era of the top Model over? Instyle, Vogue, Elle, Teen Vogue all have either an actress or a musician on their covers. This pattern is nothing new as I have observed it over the last year.
Congratulations to Queen Latifah for making the cover of Glamour magazine. Its nice to see a full figured woman on the cover and a black one at that. On that note its also very nice to see some sisters doing the big campaigns. Yasmin Warsame on the D&G. Liya Kebede & Naomi Campbell doing Luis Vuitton. Agbani Darego with Loreal. I know there quite a few more but those are the ones that stuck out. Its nice to see a whole group of girls really working beacuse the industry tends to choose one "it" black girl while theres still more beautiful girls out there trying to get some "real" work.
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| My Oscar fashion Review |
| 02.29.04 (9:33 pm) [edit] |
Just finished watching the oscars
My favourites in no particular order. The Oscars to me are about dressing up and having fun, these folks did it for me.
Charlize Theron____ WOW! WOW! flawless
Nicole Kidman______Nice..very nice
Angelina Jolie_______Super sexy
Jennifer Garner_____Oh so Orange...lovely
Jada Pinkett-Smith___different , beautiful
Oprah Winfrey_______ YES, dressed the part baby!
Sofia Coppola________ Modern sexyclassic
Helen Hunt __________ Soft and sexy.. nice pastel color
Diane Lane____________Very sexy, daring ooh la la
Renee Zelwegger________ Glamour, absolutely stunning
Pierce Brosnan__________ That Lapel baby! Yea, nice
[i]Ok thats all I remember, I have to sleep[/i]
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| Healing, remembering |
| 02.19.04 (9:54 pm) [edit] |
I'm really healing quite remarkably. I'd like to hear from some other people who've also lost a mother or parent. Its really not easy. Its been exactly two weeks now. I think crying really helped a lot. The sting is there but its not that bad. Two days ago my creative juices resurfaced and I'm back into the swing of things.
I'm just going to pass on my mothers legacy of creativity which she got from her mother. My grandmother was soo gifted and smart. She was the second black woman in South Africa to graduate from college with a Bsc. Her only sister alive still has the newspaper from way baaack to prove it! [i]You know how old folks are [/i] *lol*She was also an excellent dressmaker and used to make her own hand embroidered tableclothes with detailed flowers and animals done by machines today.
I know that she is in a better place and has joined her mother.
I'd just like to thank all the people that left me messages, sent me cards etc. I am vey thankful. God bless y'all
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| Giving and receiving |
| 02.05.04 (11:23 am) [edit] |
Do u ever find yourself just buying clothes and never getting to wear them. Sometimes you buy a size small and convince yourself that it will fit you in a couple of weeks and it ends up sitting there for months and you still haven't worn it. I was going through my closet and realised that I have lots of clothes that have never been worn or worn only once. Those clothes filled out two big bags. I was actually inspired by Oprahs show on Dr Catherine Hamlin whos spent nearly 50 years providing surgery to thousands of young women suffering from Fistulas. http://www.networkforgood.org...://www.fistulahospital.org
After that show I decided to send some dresses to these women who were abandoned by family members and now have Hope and a new lease on life. I had been putting it off but I finally did it yesterday. People like Dr Hamlin really inspire me.There are so many people like her who devote time, share skills and use their life to make a difference in peoples lives. In S.africa I used to visit people in the hospitals suffering from aids on Sundays with some friends and bring them lunch and sit,talk to them and laugh with them.This made them soo happy esp. since most had been abandoned by family members. It really made me feel very good. Sometimes if time is what u can give then dont take it for granted because it means so much to the person receiving it.
I hope to build a network of women from different backgrounds commited to sharing skills, talents, knowledge and experiences that will strengthen themselves and their communities esp communities in Africa. Community building citizen leaders!
:) :)
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| Fashion Week.... countdown till |
| 02.02.04 (10:48 am) [edit] |
New York Fashion week is around the corner (friday) and I can't wait. A friend of from South Africa who works for Elle S.A will be arriving on Thursday to cover it. I cant wait to see what designers have in store for fall'04. On Sunday I'm going to see the Marc Bouwer and later on in the evening I will see Luca Luca @ the tent. Its going to be my first time sitting for a couple of shows. The last time I was in the tent was way back in '97/'98 I was a student/working for a designer and it was just pushing and shoving and chaos backstage. Back then it was 7thonsixth, it then became the Mercedesbenz fashion week & now its Olympus. I sure hope thats the last name change they go through
Other shows I will go to during the week are Betsey Johnson, Maurice Malone, Custo Barcelona and Matthew Williamson. Custo and M Williamson are my fave beacuse I buy a lot of their stuff.I also love Marc Jacobs. The Marc by Marc line is actually very affordable considering their tailoring which is absolutely superb.
Another designer whom I patronise is Tracy Reese. Thats one black female designer who is doing really really well. I will be watching her and others like House of Field, Anna Sui, Marc Jacobs, Badgely Mischka,Narciso Rodgriguez BCBG, Vera Wang & Donna Karan on the Metro Channel.
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| Sketches, Snow & whatever |
| 01.28.04 (8:01 pm) [edit] |
Today I spent alot of time sketching a series of [b]croquis[/b] ( fashion body silhouettes) in various poses. I've been using illustrator but I got KaratCAD now and I love it. It has a library of garment silhouettes, garment components like collar & pocket styles. All I have to do now is sketch and bring desired components together.
I love that its not time consuming beacuse I've also been doing technical drawings for patterns with the help of a really good patternmaker using CAD :) I'm just soo overwhelmed *sigh* Everything is slowly coming together very nicely. I've got a really good webnista ..[i]webdesigner[/i] so I am really excited about that :lol:
Its so nice and white outside...but its soo cold and making me homesick. I spoke to a friend back home in South Africa and she was complaining about how hot it was over there. I would do anything for some heat right about now. I am not feeling these layers of clothes that I have to put on my body to protect myelf from this harsh weather. Oh well, they say Monday will be warmer@ 34 degrees :x
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| Camille, Shakaras long lost sister |
| 01.27.04 (9:18 pm) [edit] |
Is it just me but doesnt Camille from Americas next top model look very much like top model Shakara (the bahamian beauty) http://www.absoluteshakara.co...
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| Fashion bargains |
| 01.26.04 (7:10 pm) [edit] |
I really like H&M they have some really cute clothes. I was there today and just went through some of their merchandise looking inside and out *[i]inspecting the hems, lining etc[/i]*. Their finishes on some of the dresses is impeccable on styles that you would find elsewhere costing an arm and a leg.
good value for your money if you are a bargain shopper.
Its the Ikea for clothes definately. 8)
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| Golden globe fashion |
| 01.25.04 (6:53 pm) [edit] |
Just watching and I must say these people were my fave looks for the night. [i]not in any particular order[/i]
[b]Jennifer Lopez[/b] in orange goddess dress with gold straps
[b]Gwen Stefani[/b]
[b]Uma Thurman[/b]
[b]Kim Cattral[/b] in vintage Valentino
& my home girl [b]Charlize Theron[/b] in Dior
There were some good dresses but these stood out by far for me.
[b]Elton John[/b] in Yohji Yammamoto -different *very nice*
I didnt really see any bad looks will be watching Joan rivers tommorow to see those. I will say however that
Scarlett Johansens dress was such a bad fit & Renee Zelwegers dress looked tooo tight.
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| metrosexual |
| 01.22.04 (7:17 pm) [edit] |
After trying to help my hunny this morning and "style" his look by goin' into his closet to pick an outfit for him to wear... he said to me "I know u'd be really happy if I was a metrosexual"....I replied with a "huh?" and he goes, "yea you've been watcing queer eye 2 much" *rotflmaoooooo* he is such a nerd. :)
Who comes up with these words anyway??? who decides whats metrosexual and what isn't. While looking for the real definition of this word thats being thrown around so much lately I came across others. Ok here they are:
[b]metrosexual[/b]
(met.roh.SEK.shoo.ul) n. An urban male with a strong aesthetic sense who spends a great deal of time and money on his appearance and lifestyle.
[b]pomosexual[/b]
(poh.moh.SEK.shoo.ul) n. A person who shuns labels such as heterosexual and homosexual that define individuals by their sexual preferences
[b]Criminal menopause[/b]
n. The stage in life during which an older, habitual criminal loses interest in crime, or when an older prisoner no longer poses any threat to society.
[b]e-mail hygiene[/b]
(e-mail HY.jeen) n. Principles or practices that reduce spam and protect a computer from viruses and other threats embedded in or attached to e-mail messages.
[b]School refusal[/b]
skool ruh.FYOOZ.uhl) n. An extreme fear of attending school.
[b]Kipper[/b]
acronym. An adult son or daughter, particularly one aged 30 or more, who still lives with his or her parents. —adj. From [i]kids in parents' pockets eroding retirement savings.[/i]
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| Fabulosity, queens & drama |
| 01.21.04 (4:38 pm) [edit] |
Watching Next top model last night Jay and his little shirt had me cracking up! *rotfl* I love him he is my shim-ro.
He reminds me soo much of this other friend of mine. This friend is soooo over the top. We were trvaelling together from ny to Capetown one time..*[i]my younger sister lives over there[/i]* He wore a leather jumpsuit with zippers :arrow: =http://dezignerr.tblog.com target=_blank [image]dezignerr_12758542 70.jpg[/image] ([i]I'm so gonna die if he eva sees dis pic right hurr..)[/i] some crocodile skin cowboy boots and had custom made hand luggage to match his shoes. To top that whole look off he had a new Mohawk hairstyle... hair braided to the centre & weave hair sewn on for the mohawk effect. When I came to pick him up and looked at him funny He was like "guuuuuuuurl I 'ont know 'bout you but I travel in style" *rolling eyes* @ missta Drama
He got soooooooooo much attention @ jfk, people were snapping his pic and he loved every minute of it. When we got to Capetown... same story and I remember sombody came up & asked him if he was famous and he said.. [b]I'm fabulous[/b]...*rotflmao*
Speaking of that fabulous tribe of peoples.. Where is Ru-paul?
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| Drum & the style of the 50's & 60's |
| 01.19.04 (8:15 pm) [edit] |
=http://dezignerr.tblog.com target=_blank [image]dezignerr_95367357 0.jpg[/image]
Rewind to 1997 and the video for superstar Janet Jackson's single Got 'Til It's Gone.
Township dandies with half-cocked trilby hats are leaning against a wall, a bottle shatters against a [b]Net Blankes[/b] (no blacks) sign and Alek Wek is reclining on a chair reading [b]Drum[/b] magazine - the trailblazing publication which reflected black urban culture in 1960s South Africa.
[b]1950s[/b]
That’s when Drum magazine was started. It went on to record a very critical history of South African people in the townships. It recorded the social history of places like Sophiatown. Sophiatown had become the heartland of developing urban black culture. It vibrated with activity, talk and excitement, and it was all reflected on the pages of [b]Drum[/b]. In escape from the drudgery of repressive laws, the people formulated their own amusements and entertainment. Paramount among these was the shebeens and speakeasies, which became homes away from home where jazz players, singers, writers, artists and workers could drink illegally together
There was an exuberance and a street style, a sense of identity that even Janet Jackson could recognize. She based the music video for her hit song [i][b]'Don't Know What You've Got 'Till Its Gone' [/b][/i]on the shebeen culture of Sophiatown. During that period [b]Drum[/b] was a voice for black people in South Africa.
Being that its MLK day today I based this blog on the people of Sophiatown in South africa. Despite being opressed and segregated under the apartheid laws they would dress up, go to jazz clubs read drum magazine and just live it up.
Like King they had hope and did not give up.
[b]Did u know that?[/b] When Vogue magazine came to South africa in the '60's they stayed for something like a month because they found that the people who had "style" were the black people. Their target market was not those people and because of apartheid even if they did put a person of color in the mag, nobody would buy it. So they packed up and left
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| style, bags, accessories |
| 01.17.04 (4:48 pm) [edit] |
=http://dezignerr.tblog.com target=_blank [image]dezignerr_47940082 9.jpg[/image] I must say the craftsmanship on the new luis vuitton bags is very inspiring. I am all for a well crafted bag, its worth it when u know there was effort put into making it. I love John Galliano (dior) he's a genius.. I think he set the bar with his "hardwork" then Fendi came with the baguettes and so on ...There is just so much creativity out there. I was one of those people that never owned a luis vuitton bag until I got one vintage one just recently from the flea market on 26th st. From a very young age I have always liked "old" things and just had my individual style. From my early teens I would rock my mothers bell bottoms , dresses from 70's & just give them a new life. Mix them up with something new. Her platforms and all, I had no shame in my game. I remember one time me and my cousin in highschool went to my schools variety show and I wore a long crocheted ankle knee length dress/coat that belonged to my mother back when.
My cousin was so embarrased to be seen with me, everybody was giving me funny looks but I just wasnt bothered, I was oblivious to it.
To me a well styled look is how u put things together. Von dutch from head to toe is not cute... and then throw a LV bag in there..What the H? Its like.. How many labels can I fit in today...hmmm! I am 1 of a few people who had no desire to to own a VD product. I did purchase for for my 13yr old sister however. Accessories make the outfit. A simple look paired with a nice handbag and the right shoes, accessories will make u stand out. Too much of anything is not good.
My first big purchase was a dior bag...I have never been one to buy something because of the name. I will however admit to frequenting madison and 5th ave. (Bottega Veneta) That put together with a thrift store find, h&m racer back tank & some good shoes will make u look really good,plus the right accesories. Invest in good shoes and at least one good bag. You dont have to wear a million dollars to look like a million bucks. Dress to be comfortable.
[u][b]5 consistent with individual style [/b][/u]
[i]marked by or expressing individuality; distintinctive or individualistic:[/i] An individual way of dressing.
5. Jennifer Lopez
4. June Ambrose
3. Fatima Robinson
2. (tie)Betsey Johnson & Patricia Field (house of field)
1. Gwen Steffani
[u][b]City with individualistic style[/b][/u]
1.[b] London[/b].. I love that city, so much freedom for experimentation and individual style. I am always inspired there. Lots of color, love it! nyc is a stylish city but more practical than daring. Only in London in the middle of winter will u see people in White coats and other non practical colors in diff shapes/cuts and styles...not a lot of black.
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| A new day |
| 01.03.04 (6:41 pm) [edit] |
[image]dezignerr_10552577 3.jpg[/image] .Its a new year and .... thats that a New year. Time doesn't stop and the world keeps turning. So like time, I am going to tick on and continue where I left off a day,an hour, a minute ago. I resolve to keep myself up :D ... well maybe I also resolve to distress more leather... embellish more... dramatize more.. more beading(excessively!) Just keep on moving, keep on driving on this journey to wherever it takes me. Positively :lol: . Ok thats it, I really dont wait for january 1st to take time & take stock of where I am. I know where I am .... where I'm going ...I dunno but I'm all packed and ready to go OKaY! And I am not the passenger on this trip I'm taking the drivers seat... can I get an A for Amen. I seize the day everyday at least to the best of my knowledge.
My lil cousin is going to Hong Kong next week for a job she got. I am so happy for her, she's so young though.. 22 and going to live in a city where she does not know anybody. :( What am I talking about cos I also came str8 out of Africa and plunged myself into NYC at that age. I was just so young, naive and innocent. I did not know a single person not 1...My second day here, I was getting compliments for my sunglasses from a stranger across a busy street..... I was thinkin.. I think I'm gonna love it here.. they dont do that back home! And then later on I would just attract these *gay boys*. I love gb's... they love me and I love them..especially the queeny ones. I LOVEIT... the fabulosity....hey I love them all. I mean u go to a guys house who is going to teach u how to bake a swiss roll, u sleep over and talk about boyz the whole night? How fab is that!
I miss my gb friend soo much.. he passed on in 2002. He lived in NYC and Johannesburg. He just came to NY for 2wks. I was in South Africa and he was supposed to come back a month later so we could go to IBIZA. His mother called and... u know the rest... R.I.P *Najee* I miss u. 8)
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| Hello World |
| 12.30.03 (6:16 pm) [edit] |
Hey bloggers out there, blog world.
I am so new to this so please excuse the appearance for now. It was just about two weeks ago when I discovered blogging while surfing. Yes and have have been doing it ever since . I decided to start my own today so here goes... I am a fashion designer [b]koketso.com [/b] (new look coming soon, online shop will be ready for spring... yay :D ) Where do I draw inspiration from? _The vibrant colors of Africa, the streets of NY, the scenic sunsets of the Kalahari (Botswana, my home), exotic animal prints , the giraffe and zebra being tops on my list. How fab are they!,OMG and not forgetting the NDEBELE ... what a colorful tribe and talented one at that.I LOVE them. I find inspration everywhere (almost). I am always sketching on something, so yes I do have a creative energy. Besides being a creative I also LOVE cooking/ baking..I love cooking and learning new recipes even creating my own.
What am I hoping to get from this blogging? Well, I hope to give insight into my world of swatches and threads(just kiddin!). I dont know but perhaps inform, tell stories about my adventures in the okavango, coming to NYC as a naive young1 from South Africa 7yrs ago, recipes, fashion and recommend good books. I [b]love[/b] reading. One of my fave. books of all time is Alan Patons Cry the beloved Country. I am inspired by people who devote their life to humanitarian work and giving. I believe that we are all born with sacred contracts, a reason or purpose for being alive. Find your purpose and start acting! I have a positive outlook on life and love those that are passionate about living and life! How am I doing? I'll be back when I have something to say. [image]ketsky.bmp[/image]
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