It's Not Just A Handbag, Its Hermès, Darhling!

The Hermès Birkin and Hermès Kelly have been described as the holy grail of purses! Hermès has waiting lists of people eagerly waiting to own these master pieces. Even the rich (and no, I don't mean the Nonhle-Thema-kinda-rich, I mean filthy-rich) can wait a good two to six years for certain Hermès handbags!

Some Hermes Schooling:

• Prices for both begin around $7,000 and can go well beyond $50,000 ( Imagine paying R350,000.00 for a handbag!)
• Part of the price of all Hermès bags is the privilege to bring it into any boutique to be sent to Paris for a “spa treatment” where the bag, no matter how old or abused, will be bought back to the best possible condition…for an additional cost of several hundred dollars
• Both bags can be customized to the buyers specifications
• Locks and keys are number-coded
• Lining is usually made of goat skin that matches the color of the exterior skin
• Identifiable by their metal-tipped clasp, which can be closed with a tiny padlock (and the clasp’s hidden key often dangles from the handle in a leather sheath of its own)
• Not sold online and never ever will be
• Famous for their waiting lists – Remember on Sex and the City when Samantha used Lucy Liu’s name to score the red one faster?

The Hermès Kelly Bag:

• Named after Grace Kelly
• Became famous in 1956 when Grace Kelly (then Princess of Monaco) used one to shield her pregnant stomach from the prying eyes of the paparazzi
• More formal than the Birkin
• Comes in 5 different sizes (although possibly more from looking at the Fall runway show)
• It takes a single craftsman about 18 hours to make one

The Hermès Birkin Bag:

• Named after Jane Birkin (who has an interesting history with the company)
• 5 Birkins are produced a week at the Hermès Atelier in Paris
• More casual than the Kelly & has a slightly younger more bohemian appeal
• With an open top, it is easier to open than the Kelly
• Both Jay-Z and Lil’ Kim have both rapped about the Birkin

Source

Summer Trend Alert - Cropped Tops (Street Fashion)

OK, let's skip the "where have you been part" LOL! I'm back, that's all that matters now. I come bearing gifts, yet another trend alert (albeit a not-so-new-trend), cropped tops. I love, love cropped tops, for their versatility and most importantly for how they cater for my flat-tummy_love-handles situation he he he!

You need not break your bank for street fashion. A lot of retail shops stock them aplenty, the likes of Foschini and my favorites are at Mr Price (can we have a moment of silence for the fashion buyers at Mr Price, very on point lately). 

Back With A BAAANG!

Hey y'all. Its good to be back. My life got so hectic last month I decided to take a break from everything and pull myself towards myself. Glad to be back. Here's to blogging every-single-day!!

Trend Alert: Polka Dots, Stripes & Wedge Heels

To your spring/summer shopping list and on top of your color-blocking items, add polka dots, stripes and wedge heels(don't you just love wedge heels? So comfortable to walk in too).

Source: Mr Price In The Loop

Source: Mr Price In The Loop

My Sister's Closet Boutique

How many times have you gone through your sister's closet and "borrowed" one or two items that would so go well with that new pair of shoes? Well, I know I have done it countless times, the Kardashians do it too.

If you are in Gauteng, you will be more than happy to know that your sister's closet is indeed available for you to shop at, literally! I'm talking about an actual boutique popularly known as MSC Botique. They are in corner 1st Avenue & 7th Street in Melville Johannesburg and they are stockist of key European pieces, hand-picked vintage items, accessories as well as quirky colorful couture pieces, oh and they sell the cutest shoes too! 

Visit their website MSCBoutique.com and follow them on Twitter MSCBoutique.

Happy shopping!!!

46664 Apparel Makes Runway Debut

46664 Apparel takes to the ramp at SA Fashion Week for inaugural show!

South Africa’s only clothing with a conscience apparel brand to showcase at SA Fashion Week!

46664 Apparel will debut at SA Fashion Week during its Winter 2012 season, taking place from September 22^nd to 25^th at the Crowne Plaza Johannesburg - The Rosebank. 

The 46664 Apparel show is on Sunday September 25^th at 17h30 and is set to deliver a visual feast that takes its inspiration from 46664 Apparel’s groundbreaking print campaign. The latter is abundant with details pertaining to the life and times of 46664’s founder, Nelson Mandela – some of which (including the ducks he encountered at Victor Verster prison and the tomatoes he grew) will be featured in the ramp show.

46664 is of course, Mr Mandela’s prison number (prisoner 466 of 1964) from his time on Robben Island. The apparel brand has been created in partnership with 46664, one of the organisations established to further the global icon’s humanitarian legacy. Proceeds from sales of the brand will go to sustain 46664’s work to combat social injustice.

Following the overwhelmingly positive response to 46664 Apparel’s Summer-Spring launch range in Stuttafords late August, all eyes will be on what the design team produces for Winter 2012.

46664 Apparel’s core design team consists of Chris Vogelpoel, Barbara Tosalli and Craig Native – each bringing something powerful to the creation of a brand that’s living up to its promise to be a South African-created, global fashion brand to be reckoned with.

46664 apparel’s SA Fashion Week collection – to be modeled by a mix of models and real-life South Africans - will focus on “the bold vibrancy of 46664 and our colours,” explains Vogelpoel.

African Renaissance, with its eclectic mix of dynamic and very bold printed men's shirts and maxi dresses, is one of five themes to drive the collection. Another is ‘Rainbow Nation’ - depicted through colour blocking contrasts in blazers, trenches and trousers in cobalt, cerise, green and red in Mens and Ladieswear. “This shows the flair and bravado we have in mixing and contrasting colour outfits and never standing back from strong colour,” says Vogelpoel.

Complementing these two themes is ‘Soul’ - knitwear items that go from classic black, grey and charcoal to pieces that are created around strong design and colour.  Rounding off 46664 Apparel’s Winter 2012 collection are “Urban” (including men’s only zipper tops with hoodies and skinny and twisted jeans) and Afro Chic – women’s only semi-formal wear in rich neutrals with highlight colours that celebrate the beautiful, elegant and sophisticated African woman!

Tickets for 46664 Apparel’s Winter 2012 show are available from the SA Fashion Week website SAfashionweek.co.za

Press Release!

The First EVER South African CLEO Magazine Cover Girl

Since its launch in SA in 2007, one of my favorite magazines, CLEO Magazine (for this obvious reason and also for this reason he he..) had never had a local cover girl. Bonang Matheba: TV and radio personality, reality star, business woman, fashion phenom...oh the list is endless, has the honor of being the first local CLEO cover girl. Bonang is featured on the October cover that will be on shelves on the 19th of September.

CLEO editor, Natalie Pool said "We realize this is not the first local cover to feature Bonang but we've had our eye on her for a while and truly believe she is the epitome of a Cleo girl." I couldn't agree more, Bonang is the epitome of a CLEO girl through and through!


This issue will include a 5-page-in-depth look into all aspects of Bonang's life: her interaction with fans on social networks, her role as a Lifestyle brand ambassador, her reality show B*Dazzled (currently plays on her website), her relationship etc.


Well done to Queen B* and to CLEO for picking a hard-working and well-deserving girl. B* we hear you are going to have a party to celebrate this, we hope you remember to invite The Kokonut Stylist ;-)!

The Legit Minnie Series

I am sure by now you have heard that there is a new face of Legit and her name is Minenhle Dlamini.

Twenty one year old Minnie, as she is affectionately known, is no stranger to the public eye, she co-presents Mzansi Insider on Mondays and Live on Fridays on SABC 1. Legit revealed Minnie as the new face of Legit to the public last week Thursday *side eyes them for not inviting The Kokonut Stylist* but we hear it was a lovely launch.

The lovely and bubbly Minnie, with legs-to-die-for, takes after the likes of Noni Gasa, Bonang Matheba, Zizo Beda and Sade Giliberti who have also been Faces Of Legit.

I wish her all the best with her collection at Legit and I will be getting myself a few items from the collection, its 'to do'- girly, summery and oh-so-fabulous! 

Minnie and Legit will be doing a "get to know Minnie" tour around SA and you can stand a chance to win a new Blackberry smartphone, visit their page Legitimatefashion.com for more info.

Shine Minnie, Shine!

Celebrating Coco Chanel

Today would be Coco Chanel's 123th birthday. She was born in France at around 16:00hrs (Yes,I am that obsessed about her) on the 19th of August in 1883. I don't know what more is left to say about Coco Chanel that hasn't been said before. She was and remains totally amazing.

Her most valuable lessons that I will personally be eternally grateful for are:

• Be one of a kind!
• Be bold!
• Be inspired!
• Leave a strong impression!

Thank you Madame Coco for giving us fashion and for giving many fashion lovers around the world hope that it doesn't matter who you are or where you come from, if you want it bad enough, you will have it.

(Coco Chanel inspired prints)

"It’s probably not just by chance that I’m alone. It would be very hard for a man to live with me, unless he’s terribly strong. And if he’s stronger than I, I’m the one who can’t live with him. … I’m neither smart nor stupid, but I don’t think I’m a run-of-the-mill person. I’ve been in business without being a businesswoman, I’ve loved without being a woman made only for love. The two men I’ve loved, I think, will remember me, on earth or in heaven, because men always remember a woman who caused them concern and uneasiness. I’ve done my best, in regard to people and to life, without precepts, but with a taste for justice." — Coco Chanel


Joyeux Anniversaire Madame Coco Chanel!


Long live her legacy!! 

25 & GRATEFUL!

I thought growing even a single day older than 24 would be the scariest thing ever but today I am 25 and very grateful for so many things. I am happy for being the woman I have become, grateful for all my blessings, the love surrounding me and for my family and friends and the amazing relationships I share with them. 

One Day The Kokonut Stylist Offices Will Look Like This

How lovely is this office space? It is like a muse on its own, it inspires the brightest of ideas just by looking at it. One day The Kokonut Stylist offices will look something like this Urban Outfitters Headquarters in Philadelphia.

Source

Citrus Burst Of Fashion

Not sure about you but I am already counting down the hours till its warm enough again, already bidding farewell to one of the longest and coldest winters ever! With that said, here is a lil' fashion tip for all fashion lovers; Citrus-Colored Clothes  & Accessories (that is all).!

Pic courtesy of Mr Price Blog

Here Is What SA Fashion Designers Suggest We Rock In Summer

As promised, here are some lovely pictures from the AFI Cape Town Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2012 Collection. Note-able from all the collections are: fringe elements, color-blocking and  'flowey' - type materials.

Source: AFI