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Thursday, October 29, 2015

Fashion Friday: Sadie Clayton (London Fashion Week SS16)


I recently flew out to London for what turned out to be half London Fashion Week SS16 coverage/ half #SinniOnVacay. As expected around this time of year, London was occasionally sunny, but mostly grey with a side of drizzle. And because I’m so great at packing (not!), I brought a bikini instead of an umbrella. That’s all on the weather front, here’s what’s hot this season:



My look: Mostly Top Shop, with Europart shoes. I’ve been taking this pair on most of my trips in the past few months. Mostly because they’re comfortable (great for long shoots that require extended hours of fleekness), and also because of the bling factor. Sinni like shiny :)

Sinazo Yolwa with Ola Shobowale 
My good friend Ola Shobowale took me to Sadie Clayton’s exhibition in the evening. Sadie and I met a few years ago at Somerset House (LFW has since moved to Soho), and this lady’s creativity knows no bounds. Here’s the official write up for her label:


"Sadie Clayton is a luxury sculptural womenswear label.


The designer’s architectural approach sees avant-garde shapes realised in warming colour palettes, while accessories and finishings come in signature copper. Manipulating industrial materials and silhouettes to fit the female form, Sadie Clayton presents a unique aesthetic in the British fashion scene.



The eponymous line was launched by the University of Kingston graduate in 2013 at Graduate Fashion Week and has gone on to show on the catwalk in London and Berlin.









Sadie Clayton has been worn by the likes of Ellie Goulding, Caryn Franklin and regularly features in i-D, Wonderland, Noctis, Schön!, 1883 and more. The designer has collaborated with esteemed creative individuals and brands such as cordwainer Charlene Ong, photographer Mark Lebon, United Nude, and the Tate."

Sadie Clayton
The lady of the moment, Sadie Clayton. 

Unfortunately, we couldn't mingle for too long, as we had another stop in Shoreditch. #AfricaCallingLabs hosted a talk with Lakwena Maciver. She delved into the challenges of growing up mixed race (more specifically, mixed heritage), trying to carve out your identity in a world that makes you feel like being mixed means never really belonging anywhere; a world where post-colonialism, everyone’s heritage is fragile. A world where ‘Africanness’ is expected to fall neatly into  certain definitions. A world where anything ‘African’ needs to be watered down to become mainstream, or risk being relegated to the ‘exotic’ corner. 

Lazola Ngxokolo with Sinazo Yolwa

The panel of speakers (including chairperson Baroness Lola  Young of Hornsey and designer Lazola Ngxokolo) ended with what they hoped to see in the next 20 years: a world where Africa doesn’t have its own separate section in the arts, but is instead a fully intergrated global player. 

Ola and I ended the night with a Ceylon fish curry somewhere on Brick Lane, and a lot of #SinniOnVacay planning for the rest of the trip. I'll be back again soon with more updates. 

Love,
Sinni







Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Fashion Friday: The September Issue Launch


I was recently invited to the launch of The September Issue in Hyde Park. This story actually starts with me attending the unveiling of Mam' Bertha Gxowa's statue (with my good friend Uyanda), in honour of her role in the struggle for freedom. It's heart warming to see so many of our history's icons claiming their spot in our history books- but that is another post for another day. 

The point of that little tangent was my intention to go straight from one event to another. The only thing that stopped me was the tiny issue of the launch's dress code ('Spring' when I was in 'All Black Errything'). I managed to put together something I hope was decent, and arrived just in time for the speeches. This being a fashion write-up, allow me to show you what Jozi's finest are rocking this spring.
These ladies know a Spring dress code when they see one.

One of my favourite faces, Chianosky. She says she pulled this blue number out of her closet. Nje.

Craig Jacobs of Fundudzi

Taryn Louch is wearing a Nicci Boutique skirt, Zara top and handbag, and Christian Louboutin heels. Krishen Samuels is in a Zadig &Voltaire blazer, Gucci accessories and a Zara top.

Stunning songstress Leanne Dlamini in River Island

Supermodel Lerato Moloi in Country Road

Sultry actress Jay Anstey in Jenni Button

Peter, Peta, Phat Joe and Joe's friend

Tsholo Malema in a Style Alert top, Lamanche skirt, Zara blazer and Sass Diva accessories.

My favourite accessory of the night was this neckpiece from Sass Diva.

The 'photographer' who snatched my camera from my photographer insisted on this pose. 

Roxy Burger in Miss Boss Couture

RGB comrades Sydney Lerutla and Mashayabhuqe Ka Mamba

Jen Bala in Fate

Slie in Kisua

Penny Lebyane in Thula Sindi

Mokgadi Seabi in a hot little black number

Sinazo Yolwa and Zebra Square mastermind, Jill Grogor

The Real Goboza

The stunning Sarit Tomlinson with Simphiwe Majola. Sim is decked out in Burberry and A Touch of Bling.
Thank you to Zebra Square for the invitation, and Slie for squeezing my RSVP in at the 11th hour. I will be back again soon with my LFW adventures.

Love,
Sinni

Photography: Monica Yolwa

Friday, July 10, 2015

Fashion Friday: Purfect8

I've been MIA for so long, I fear I may have lost my groove *calls Stella* 

I've decided to get into fashion blogging. Not the 'Best and worst' lists from my days on The Link, but more of a 'this is what I've seen, and this is why I like it', see?

As a fashion buyer (yes, I'm still doing that!), it would only be right to start with my own Purfect8 fashion files. Enjoy!

Model: Sinazo Yolwa Make up: Simphiwe Matiso


Introducing beaded neck pieces

Large beaded neck piece

Earrings and hand jewellery
Scarves to keep the winter chill at bay

More scarves, more chill-fighting power

This mix and match was Monica's idea
An oldie: Gold cross top available in black or cream

This hat is my favourite winter item. And because Jozi is sunny in winter, we threw in some sunnies.

The money shot

Photographer: Monica Yolwa
Make up artist: Simphiwe Matiso
Model: Sinazo Yolwa
For orders/enquiries: sinazoyolwa@gmail.com

Thank you to these two lovely ladies for helping me put this together. There's plenty more coming next Friday :)

Love,
Sinazo