Wayfarers: Most Popular Vintage Style Part II

A while back, earlier this year, i think in Jan, i wrote an article (Wayfarers Most Popular Vintage Style) about Wayfares as being the vintage style enjoying the most successful renaissance at the moment, well 10 months later, the trend doesnt seem to be showing any signs of slowing down...the latest craze is to have your wayfarers colour blocked, witht he frame part being a contrasting colour to the side arms, and the new surge i've started spotting are the pastel, softer almost Grace Kelly-esque shades which caught my eyes the other day, and i'm still wondering if i should just fully emerse myself in this trend and go through all the stages and variations....i shall toy with the idea of getting the featured pair.

Photo 'du jour'....Lara Klawikowski Promo Shoot

Lara Klawikowski is not just a well regarded acquaintance, she is the most innovative of the Cape Town avant-garde designers out there at the moment, the pic featured is from a photo shoot for her line. This is a first of more to come, she's too genius to ignore.Amazing shot by photographer Guido Schwarz.

Oh Gucci.... *sigh*

Probably this Gucci outfit on its own would not be as exceptional as it has become one this image captured by the Satorialist at the Milan Fashion Week last week, Italy. Basically i needn't see the rest of the runway pieces i feel like this sums it up for me, in a still, concise way....be still my heart...i have another equally stunning shot taken at the Preen fashion show will post it soon!

A fashionable way to achieve immortality

During my stay in Frankfort/Main, Germany, I toddled along the streets and came upon the Pop-Up-Store Market 41. It was a rainy day and I couldn't make peace with the fact that summer was already over when I discovered heaven on earth for the fashion enthusiasts. The shiny naturalness of the tiny shop was appealing, not only because of the charmingly lady that whipped out a warm smile of welcome as I came through the door, but also because of the lovingly and stylish arranged premises. Market 41 is indeed a hidden treasure in Frankfort. The Chai-Necklace caught my eye! Chai is the Hebrew word for LIFE. Elvis Presley wore one when he performed and we all know he is immortal. I might have discovered his secret of immortality and didn't think twice before purchasing the gold and turquoise necklace which was my favorite. While Lea Vajnorsky, the owner of the shop, was placing the necklace around my neck, she was excitedly telling me how she met the designer, Hadar Mamrud in Israel. Hence she immediately decided to sell the necklaces in her own store in Frankfort/main. Initially both had doubts whether such necklace with the Jewish symbol "חי" would sell in Germany. Eventually after Lea imported the "Necklace Of Immortality", many people were surprisingly enthusiastic hence she had to order some more. What an interesting story! I thought to myself this is a beautiful example of how trends become global today. Right now it`s worth visiting the store because of the brand new autumn collection! Among other labels such as Red Collar, Sixpack, Black Lilly, you can find stylish 5 pre view T-shirts and beautiful pieces made out of fur. Not to mention this incredibly stylish shopping bag that I fell in love with.

MARKET 41

Grosse Bockenheimer Strasse 41, D-60313 Frankfurt am Main

Owners: Lea Vajnorsky and Yves Hofmann

For further information contact info@market41.de

Spotted: Lara Klawikowski @ Durban July

The up and coming iconoclastic Cape Town designer looked adsolutely divine in a audacious yet delicate soft pink number by the disigner herself of course, oh Lara Klawikowski, the world is not even ready for your amazingness!

Spotted: Only in Italy...casual style

This is possibly THE best way to do a casual look without losing even an ounce of the classic timeless Italian style and flair. The best part about this look is that its very simple and ageless, so even a guy well into his 40's, if he's in good shape, can totally rock this look and have it be more than appropriate. By the sartorialist.

Naomi Campbell: To still be a stunner at 40

I wanna drink whatever kool-aid she be drinkin'...

Spotted: Milan or New York?

Does it even need a caption? This is just plain cool.

Spotted: The Forever In Fashion V-neck

I've lost count of how many white, black or grey v-neck t-shirts i possess, i'm obsessed with them, season after season they are sure winners when putting together an outfit that will look casual but not ordinary casual ;) The t is so versatile, you can dress it up with a jacket, which is how i often wear mine, or dress it down as we can see the guy in the pic, by the Sartorialist.

Timeless Breguet Tourbillon Platine vers 1993

French auction house 'Artcurial' is having a "fine jewellery & watches" auction on 21st july 2010. If you have anything between 30 000 & 50 000 EUR then you might wanna consider acquiring this stunning vintage piece, Breguet Tourbillon Platine vers 1993!

Dolce & Gabbana Spring/Summer 2011

Europe is in a frenzy at the moment, what with Milan & Paris Fashion Week taking place - most of the mainstream fashion power houses showed last week and the week before. Form Dolce & Gabbana they were celebrating their 20 years of doing Men's fashion - I quite liked the summery wrinkled whites/off-whites.

Item du jour….lust worthy awesome kicks

I’ve been looking for a pair of sneakers for a while now, and I tend to love them bootied. Recently I came across this pair and I’m just in love, I haven’t quite loved a kick as much as I love these, come pay day I’m gonna be hitching myself with a pair– I expect some sod to not like them, I think they are very specific you either like them or hate them –besides the fact that they are boots, like my favourite converse Chuck Taylors, the highlight for me is the washed out dove-grey leather as well as the checked (or tartan to some) section at the back, all tied together with two grey buckles – these shoes are an outfit all on their own. I spotted these at ZOOM (V&A Waterfront) for R899; I must have them.

Spotted: In Cape Town...Straw Fedoras

Some might not understand the purpose of this post, but i felt the need to post it because people don't wear straw hats anymore, partly because its not 2008 anymore and also because lately every member of the masses believes they can pull them off, which is not always the case. When i saw this guy some weeks back I really liked his fedora, straw as it was, mainly because it was very well accessorised, it didnt look like a standard fedora with a black or navy shash, on this one, the sash had been used as an interesting and beautiful motif, which i quite liked. So although I'm over fedoras, if it looks interesting and has more detail than something you'll find at Woolworths = thumbs up. Insert: Victoria Beckham has a collection of fedoras that even though its 2 years past the trend I'd still love to own, my favorite being the white Vintage YSL with the zip.

Item 'du jour'....Hermès Bag

Hermès, the French luxury fashion house whose name has become unanimous with un compromised premium quality is better known for their silk scarves that cannot be rivaled as well as their female hand bag collection, especially the Birkin, after Jane Birkin, popularized by Victoria Beckham. But what most don’t realize is that Hermès has a huge male bags and luggage offering – Hermès conducts auctions often of their vintage designs or second hand items and that’s where I came across this bag, this is bag is the perfect size for a guy, who is a lil bit more into timeless classic designs with an edge, the red colour is very daring while the design appears functional and basic, being Hermès we can only imagine what superior leather has been used, oh to love a bag, to wish it was more affordable.

Spotted: FUCK FIFA....

We spotted this trendy guy Woodstock, Cape Town, at the Neighborgoods Market as well, wearing this not so cryptic word-play T, with FICK FUFA & FACK FIFU for FUCK FIFA on it, it was a very cool t-shirt and very appropriate regarding the FIFA 2010 World Cup, the very first in the African continent is being held here in South Africa, so it was an interesting message or display of perception about the organizers of the tournament, which I figured would make for a good talking point. The t-shirt was designed by (name removed, leave comment or mail poster for details of designer & distributer of shirt). Anyway, today marks the official first day of the 2010 World Cup games; kicked off by South Africa, as tradition for the host country, versus Mexico, which we hope will not completely annihilate us. I need to get hold of Jasper soon because I need that t-shirt for a friend who I know will love it based on his experience with his dealings with FIFA. We will be featuring more on this subject later, but for now I’m curious to know whether everyone else loves or hates FIFA.

Spotted: Wayfarered Retro Trio

We spotted these guys at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, I was taken and inspired by their combined look; this is one of those instances where the sum of parts IS in fact greater than the parts individually. Had they been by themselves, they would have looked good and cool, but combined, they look just fantastic, without even trying. Individually they have very different styles that one wouldn’t expect there to be any cohesion in their overall look, but there was; you had to be there to see it, I guess a lot of it had to do with the fact that though different the looks were, the eras referenced were very similar, e.g. Wayfarers all round, check shirts & plimsolls for the guys. The way this trio drifted around the market sipping on cocktails before noon:-P, with their retro looks married effortlessly with their cavalier attitude it was a sight to be seen. At first Dennis & I thought they’d be unapproachable but they turned out surprisingly forthcoming & agreeable. We will post individual shots of the same photo so you’ll be able to see more of their personalities from their stances and facial expressions.

spotted: stylish strawberry girl

When I saw that pleasant young south african woman here I just said spontanously: "Look at that sweet strawberry over there!"

Even though the outfit looks a bit conceptional she still comes across spontanous and fresh so as if she were in a rush when she dressed up. The red ballerinas combined with the chanel inspired vintage bag and the parisian beret are a cute selection of fashionable items that go well together.

As a huge friend of oversize cardigans I was always affected by outfits that make me doubt whether the combination is actually put together accidently or on purpose. Outfits of this type remind me of a painter who leaves his studio for a spontanous shopping-tour and throughs his work coat over and simply uses it as a jacket. People like that prefer to wear rather what they love instead of what works, which conveys authenticity and that fact illustrates a completely new fashion statement. And while we are on the subject: Check out my favorite new discovery, a very funny sitcom called "accidently on purpose". Seth showed it to me a few months ago and I love our evenings when we would just chill and laugh our asses of about the funny situations that Jenna Elfmann and her young lover goes through: www.cbs.com/primetime/accidently_on_purpose/

Spotted: Edgy Effervescence in Woodstock

The minute I saw her, I was instantly drawn to her interpretation of a hoodie as you can see it's got a twisted diagonal button design, and the collar is very interesting, it’s got a sort of built in scarf, which is pretty cool cuz Balenciaga did jackets similar to that way back in 2007. The 2nd thing I noticed was how utterly amazing her pale grey leather jacket was, it had no lapels, but was accentuated with stitch detail diverging from the neck – swoon. Until this Swede looking blonde Dennis and I hadn’t quite managed to find someone who embodied what I like to call ‘High Street Shabby’, which is basically a look that is ultra trendy, whilst being incredibly individualistic & very blasé all at the same time, like she just threw it on and came out amazing, no one else could pull of this entire look as effortlessly as she did. In this pic, her effervescent smile tells a story about her personality.