Thursday, June 20, 2013

Tom Ford Fall 2013 Campaign Is Everything

Being someone with a boarder-line addictive personality, I knew I would get lost in Tom Ford's Fall 2013 campaign. I saw one picture on Twitter that just aroused the strongest need for me to see the entire campaign. So, do enjoy  a few pictures from the campaign.








Now this is what I call edgy, fun and trendy fashion. It is every hot trend combined into one hot something!!

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Meet My Very Inspirational Friend - Sasha Groening

She is the face (excuse the pun) of modelling in the entire Kingdom of Swaziland. She is a lady of many firsts but above all, she is one of the most hard-working, constantly-evolving and constantly-getting-better people I know and I am blessed to call her my best friend. I am talking about non other than  Nozipho Sasha Groening!




It was more than befitting that when Swaziland has their very first online fashion magazine, Sasha be on the cover of that magazine. I am talking about The Swazi Fashion Sense - Vanquish Glamour Magazine. It is an online publication, mostly about fashion and music.


Well done to the team behind the online publication (you can read all about it here -> http://www.vglammag.tk/and I hope all your cover girls can hold the standard set by Sasha.

In 2010, Sasha started FACE Modelling and Casting Agency. Over the years, I have seen it grow in leaps and bounds and I have seen Sasha grow as business woman and young woman in general.  FACE is the only proper (and trust me, I am not being biased when I say this) modelling agency in Swaziland. It upholds a very good work ethic and they always more than deliver what is expected of them. A fashion show is not a fashion show if there are no FACE models walking the ramps.

Remember this logo, the next time you do any fashion event in Swaziland, they are your go-to company.




A sneak-peak of what FACE Modelling And Casting Agency is all about.

I can now safely say I am friends with a cover girl he he he!! Keep up all the hard-work my friend. You are an inspiration to myself and many other women out there. I pray God's blessings in your life always! No one deserves it more than you do. I am so proud of you!!!

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Styled By The Kokonut Stylist - Article 7

SWIFT, The Future of Swazi Art & Fashion - Never Before Have You Seen Such Creativity

I sincerely can never put to words, the beautiful sensation that art and out-of-the-box creativity brings to my soul. A tad dramatic, one would say but I always beam with so much pride, delight and patriotism whenever Swazi people are empowered through art and fashion. While most people were partying up a storm at this year's annual Bushfire Festival, Swaziland Fair Trade (SWIFT) was showcasing Swaziland's best talent. SWIFT is a member based organization providing training, trade and advocacy to support and promote Fair Trade for sustainable socio-economic empowerent of producers and their communities. In this way, SWIFT truly enhances the growth of the handcraft sector in Swaziland. This has over the years, resulted in increased revenue and wages for over 5000 local handcraft producers and companies working under Fair Trade.

This year, SWIFT was a title sponsor for the MTN Bushfire Festival. This saw exclusively SWIFT-Member-products being sold at the Marketplace for over three days. SWIFT Members have been involved in the evolution of the local fashion industry though High Fashion Handcraft showcases in the recent past, most significantly in partnership with  Mustard Seed Africa. This has seen the member companies designs being exhibited on an international stage. 



On the 1st of June, in a warm winter's day, SWIFT organised a fashion show which saw designs by: Gone Rural, Imvelo eSwatini, Baobab Batik, Tintsaba, Golden Hand and Quazi. The designs were paraded by models from Swaziland's leading modelling agency; FACE Modelling Agency. The fashion show was a first-of-its-kind display where mannequin models brought designs to life from within the designer stalls through a flash mob activation that started off the festival grounds.



In its mandate capacity, SWIFT is able to create trade opportinities for even the most economically disadvantaged producers through innovative means of promoting products. The handcraft designs always show a lot of creativity and the challenge levels are heightened each time there is such a show as the are more and more ingenious designs showcased with each show.

Having the models in the designer stands helped attract festival goers to the stands. One of the main goals of showcasing at the Bushfire Festival was to bring people into the Market Place to see all the beautiful products and this is a goal that was achieved through increased foot traffic after the show.



 I am pretty sure you can visualize the splendour, creativity and brilliance of such a fashion show. I remember in just my second article for this column: Why A Swaziland Fashion Week Is Long Overdue¸I wrote about how we have so much creativity, potential and colourful beauty in this country. We have the most untapped creativity, it is almost like we are waiting for someone to tell us just how creative a nation we are. Seeing the work that SWIFT does gives me so much optimism for the arts and fashion industry in our country.

In summation, SWIFT not only provides a 'showcasing platform' for the over 5000 local handcraft producers; it also helps feed so many stomachs, puts so many eager minds through school and clothes many children through empowering these producers. I have mentioned before how art and fashion economically empowers many a populace. We as a country, should not be left out of this economic empowerment. Thank you SWIFT, for igniting what should be a never-ending flame of arts and fashion in our country.



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Written By: Koko Shabangu

Styled By The Kokonut Stylist - Article 6

The Perfect Gentleman Style Guide - Durban July 2013


Last week we catered for the ladies style on what to wear and how to wear it at this year's Durban July, now for the perfect gentleman attending the Vodacom Durban July 2013 - here are some tips and hits on how you can stand out without looking out of place. Gentlemen, note: true style does not have a comfort zone, it is always about pushing and breaking boundaries. So, let's break a few boundaries for the Durban July.

Posh Oh My Gosh!, how does one even begin to interpret this ordinance without confusing our gentlemen even further? It is so hard to do that when the whole tagline seems to be directed at women but being a stylist, I always jump at such challenges. I am sure many men who are attending this year's Durban July have asked themselves how they can adhere to the theme without taking it too literally.


Well, as mentioned in our previous article, the theme is interpreted as very elegant, chic, stylish, classical with great influences from the English Fashion. For men, inspiration can also be drawn from the Royal Ascot in England. We can further draw inspiration from the Longchamp in France and the Melbourne Cup in Australia. A mouthful isn't it? I know that this can be too much to take in for the average gentleman who relies on a suit to rescue him at all times. The simplest and most basic fashion rule for such events is, get a hat and style your outfit around the hat. Men's hats are by far the most fascinating elements of any outfit, so with a good hat, half the battle is already won.


If you are not a hat person, get a three-piece suite, complete with gloves. It is a good thing that this is a winter event so Durban is a also a bit chilly during this time. Take into consideration though that this will be a warm winter's day, do not dress like you are going ice-skating in the Maldives. Heavy-weight fabrics are going to cause you to perspire and be greatly uncomfortable.



If you are still not feeling the whole formal-English-Style-Fashion thing, you can consider a mismatched trousers and formal jacket combo. A timeless example of this is light brown chinos, a blue shirt, a dark formal jacket or cardigan and some brown shoes or loafers. This is a very versatile outfit that can be worn many times over, long after the Durban July is gone and done with.




So gentlemen, you need not be confused, perplexed or lost. There is a wide variety of styles and fabrics you can choose from to prepare for this prestigious social event. Remember: be classy, wear comfortable shoes and don't forget your sunscreen and sunglasses.

In closing, the Durban July is on the 6th of July 2013, you buy your own tickets at computicket. This is not an invite-only event, it is open to the general public and is obviously held in Durban so you would need to sort out your transport and accommodation.  There are tons of after-parties, so be prepared to party hard if you are into that sort of thing.

For our gentlemen, The Kokonut Stylist is offering free styling consultancy for the Durban July. Drop me an email on kokonutstylist@gmail.com and we'll brainstorm together, work with your budget, shoping options and get you the most dashing outfit.

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Written By: Koko Shabangu

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Lanvin Resort 2014

The Lanvin Resort 2014 is what you get when opulence meets sleek. It is so rich in terms of material, color and in every other way. "It's not just about design. Its about lifestyle and fitting the needs around the day." - Alber Elbaz









High fashion is so intriguing, it almost lets one know how the other half (wealthy folk) live. The detail, the quality of the material all scream opulence. The French still have the quality thing that sets them apart from the rest. Tres Fab!

Mad About Monochrome Fashion

We have seen it everywhere, the monochrome black and white look has been making hits since last season. Some even call it the new black and white. We've seen the Hollywood and local stars wearing it in abundance. If you are thinking of joining the monochrome train, here are some looks to give you ideas for what to shop for.














Happy shopping and go monochrome wild!

Monday, June 3, 2013

Styled By The Kokonut Stylist - Article 5

All You Need To Know About The 2013 Durban July


It is once again time to prepare for the biggest and most prestigious social and fashion event on the calender, the Vodacom Durban July. With exactly 5 weeks to go, those attending this year's Durban July need to utilize this time wisely in order to prepare and design the most apt outfit that not only honours the theme but also stands out while affording one the comfort that is indispensable for this event. This year's theme commands class, distinctive elegance, sophistication and above all, a good flair of fashion.

"It's a classy this year so mind your P's and Q's. To Give you direction, here are a few clues. Have a look at Ascot, so proper so right. A touch of class, a couturier's delight. It's the look and feel we're talking about. So refined, quite grand withougt a doubt." Reads the "Posh, Oh My Gosh!" theme briefing for this year. From reading the brief, one can deduce that it is higly inspired by the regality of The English Fashion. When I saw what the theme, I was particularly excited, nothing is more splendid if not mesmerizing than English fashion, its every fashion lover's dream.


Ladies at the Royal Ascot, perfect to give you an idea of what you can wear to this year's Durban July.


If you will be attending the Durban July for the first time this year and are not really sure how to dress and what to expect, keep reading. Having attended the Durban July myself, I made the biggest mistake by opting for a dress that was long and better suited for a gala dinner. Well, the theme had been 'A Right Royal Affair' and in as much as my dress was suitable for the theme, it was unfortunately not appropriate for the Durban July. You see, in as much as we have made the event a fashion event, it is undoubtedly a social event. It is Africa's biggest horse racing event with this year's prize money as high as R3.2 Million. People go there to socialize, bet on horses and the fashion is just the cherry on top. You walk on the lawn pretty much the whole day, except when you are inside the marquee. Walking from one marquee to another, you meet interesting people, you socialize and if you have serious money, you bet on the horses. The following "donts" will help you to better plan for a suitable outfit:
  •   Do not wear your best pair of shoes. You will be digging into the grass from the minute you walk into the Greyville Racecourse.
  •   Try not to wear a long gala-inspired dress. Show leg in a classy way.
  •  With this theme, your fascinator/hat should stand out more than your dress. Remember, the theme instructs that you emulate the way the ladies dress to the Royal Ascot Horse Racing Event.
  •  For posh and sophisticated fashion, go along the lines of black and white, red, royal blue, gold, purple and try and keep your outfit design as monochromatic as possible.
  • Wear a lot of sunscreen and bring your most fashionable pair of sunglasses.

My dress for the "A Right Royal Affair" theme - appropriate for the theme but not so appropriate for the type of event that the Durban July is.


I cought up with fashionista Amanda Vilane, who won one of last year's fashion challenges. As a person with an unquestionable and inimitable sense of style, Amanda echoed my outlook regarding how ladies should approach the Durban July. She has been attending the Durban July since 2009 and it has now become some sort of a  yearly 'fashion pilgrimage' for her and her equally stylish friends and she mentioned how it would take a lot for her to ever miss the Durban July.



When asked for her opinion on this year's theme and what her outfit woule be like, Amanda said: " It will be interesting to see the various interpretations of this year’s theme. To me, this theme conjures images of The Ascot and English ladies looking all prim and proper. My outfit has already  been designed and discussed with Kayise (the genius who brings my visions to life). I am constantly challenging myself and trying to find ways to outdo myself.  It is difficult to describe this year’s look other that saying; a modern twist with a touch of English fashion-high collar and puffed sleeves."
Her advice to ladies attending this year's Durban July is that comfort is extremely important.  "I can't stress that enough", she added. "It will be a long day with lots to see and do so definitely make sure you’re comfortable. Go crazy. This is not a wedding or gala dinner where one needs to play it safe. Just about anything goes so this is the chance to really have fun with your outfit."  Well, there you have it ladies.


There are usually a number of fashion competitions that one can partake in at the Durban July. If you will be going with your male partner, you can aim for: Most Striking Couple. For individuals there is: Classic Racewear as well as Exceptional Raceday Hat/ Fascinator for the ladies.

In closing, whatever you choose to wear, please be classy! Go to the Durban July with the following ideas in mind; look good, comfort is of high priority and this time around, imagine yourself as dressing up for the English Queen.

PS: If you would like to be in contact with Amanda's Designer, Kayise, please drop me an email on: kokonustylist@gmail.com and I will be more than happy to assist you.

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Written By: Koko Shabangu