The Fab, Fab Ciraolo

Judy Garland as Dorothy

Fab Ciraolo, a Chilean illustrator currently living and working in Santiago,  is an artist who creates commonly magnificent pieces inspired by the many icons and images stored in his sponge-like brain.

Silent Spring

Ana Ljubinković's Spring/Summer 2012 lookbook has me lusting for anything with pearl detailing or a scalloped hem this spring.  The Serbian designer's "Silent Spring" collection has a strong, structured feel along with it's dainty, recherché colour and print selection.

Swimming in the Rain

As usual, I'm completely off-season.  Working in the magazine industry means working months ahead and at the moment we're on a Spring high for September.  I absolutely hate being cold and cannot wait for Summer to start again, so while it pours down outside, here are some beautiful images by Alexander Neumann showcasing the summer I'm constantly dreaming of.

Movember Madness

This month (November) is fondly known the world over as Movember, the month in which men around the globe grow their moustaches either to raise charity or awareness for men’s health - specifically prostate cancer.  However, Movember is also used as an excuse for men to grow their very own 70’s porn ‘staches while still doing something good for charity.  (Perspective: It’s kind of like the excuse women have to dress like sluts on Halloween.)

This Movember is predicted to be the most ‘well attended’ Movember to date and not because of charitable reasons.  The Moustache has slowly but steadily been spreading over more than just your boyfriend’s face - the ‘stache is a trend.  From homeware and stationary like coasters, paper weights, mugs, glasses and invitations, to fashion including t-shirts, dresses, necklaces, rings and brooches – this revitalised 70’s trend is making its mark everywhere.

Humorous décor, like the moustache, has been said to become more prominent in recent years as a light-hearted attempt at avoiding or ignoring the less-than-cheery economy.  It makes total sense, but why the moustache? 

The Bold Banana on Etsy

This season has been enjoying the rebirth of 70s chic with the return of bellbottoms, headbands, maxi skirts and patterned waistcoats, the boys had to get in there somewhere.  Remember Magnum P.I., Freddie Mercury and your dad’s “secret” porn stash?

Now those are moustaches!

It can’t be denied that the moustache trend is a hipster thing.  Let’s face it, if you don’t own a moustache necklace or sticker, you can’t call yourself a real hipster (gasp!).  But like anything hipster, it was once an original, cool idea that became glorified because of its initially humble popularity.  Don’t let it’s sudden popularity put you off.  Support Movember, support the men in your life.

P.S. If you’re really not into moustaches, just reread this post as a “Christmas Wish-list” for bangersandnash.

Images: WeHeartit

Neons and Neutrals

Spring has sprung and as usual Cape Town’s decided to be fashionably late.  There might still be a chill in the air but that’ll give you just enough time to plan your wardrobe for the summer.  One of the styles I’m very excited about this season is the neon and neutral trend.  This look marries colour blocking with neutral colours and translates into a very elegant style with just a pop of personality.  This trend also happens to be convenient with all the gorgeous neutrals like tan, grey, taupe and beige we’ve been wearing throughout winter needing only to be adjusted to transform into a summer look.

Burberry

There are a few important rules to keep in mind when wearing this look. Proportion is key to acing this trend as too little neon can leave you feeling a bit bland while too much could transform you into an haute couture highlighter – we’d like to avoid that.  The neon colours are there to show off your personality so feel free to clash your colours for a more exciting look.  For those who find neon a little more daunting, the look can be subtle yet on trend with just a simple accessory or beauty product (lipstick or nail colour). 

The Floru Cambridge Satchel

Christopher Kane

With this trend, it’s also important to find the right shade to make you shine. Neon is not an easy colour to pull off but remember that there are many different shades of neon yellows, pinks, oranges, blues and greens to play around with.  Finally, a great way to soften the harshness of neon is to pair it with soft, floaty silhouettes and sheer fabrics.

Suvi Koponen Photographed by Javier Vallhonrat for Vogue UK

And for all the boys out there, don’t feel left out.  Neon loves you too. . .

Vans' Neon Pack

Top image: Helena Grier Rautenbach

Boy Meets Girl: Andrej Pejic

Models have always been a moot point in the fashion industry, they are either too fat, too skinny, too old or too young.  When you think about it, these poor guys and gals have it hard in an extremely judgemental industry.  The flack comes from both sides too, one being the designers and casting agents who’ll want them younger, taller and thinner while the other side (media, consumers, etc) will accuse them of being too young, too tall and too thin.  The subject is a well discussed and debated one with some countries banning models from runways if their BMI’s are too low.

The latest model to blow the minds of designers, magazines and photographers is Andrej Pejic, an Australian model born in Serbia.  This model is not just acquiring the spotlight because of her perfectly symmetrical face, sculpted cheekbones and chiselled body but also because Andrej Pejic happens to be a man.  Designers like Jean Paul Gaultier and John Galiano have been using Andrej on the runway for both their female and male collections.  Andrej has recently featured in and on numerous fashion magazines such as New York Magazine, Dossier, Dazed & Confused and Vogue Australia as well as landing the #98 spot on FHM’s 100 sexiest women.

Follow Magazine#5 Editorial

The fashion world has spent years pushing boundaries with boys dressed as girls, girls dressed as boys and everything in between.  Andrej is a new boundary to be explored and the fashion industry is loving it. 

Personally, I think Andrej is doing a brilliant job of living.  He’s using the industry to his advantage with double the amount of work available to him.  Andrej is also doing a great deed for other men and women who aren’t sure, happy or content with the sex they were born as.  Many could look at Andrej as a pioneer for androgynous men and women who desire to be just as easily accepted.

My only problem with this gorgeous human being has nothing to do with Andrej, my problem is with the designers.  Women have had problems with the ‘ideal’ body type being typecast as tall, skinny hangers for years.  Although some women are naturally like that, many have problems with that specific body type being labelled the only truly beautiful one and I can relate to that.  I don’t know if I praise designers like Galiano (one of my favourites) and Gaultier when their show pieces (Gaultier’s wedding dress for example) are best worn by a man - Andrej.  What does it say about a designer’s ability to dress a woman when the body type he’s displaying it on is that of a breastless, hipless man?

Jean Paul Gaultier's Bride

I completely get the appeal of Andrej, he is strikingly beautiful both as a man and a woman and I definitely wouldn’t say no to an opportunity to photograph his amazing features.  But when exactly did designers stop designing for the female figure?  I’d love to see some of the top female couture designers thrown into a Project Runway challenge where they have to design for women with real figures.  I wonder if they still remember how.

Images: The Fabulous Fringe Family • Anne of Carversville • Fashion Peach • The Daily Mail   

Bow Peep

Being 21, I still have the excuse of not yet having to know who I am. During this “discovery” phase (cough, excuse, cough) I find myself experimenting with different looks, styles and moods with regards to fashion.  Although I’ve tested the limits of very many different looks, some of which I wouldn’t like to be reminded of, I have yet to really give in to my girly side.  But with spring on its way, flowers blooming all around and a lovely brand like Bow Peep, now seems like a great time to give my femininity a chance.

Bow Peep has only been around for a few months but owner and designer, Leila Badsha won me over very quickly after meeting her at the Second City Bowl Fashion Market.  Her stand was beautiful and she was extremely friendly and helpful the minute I stopped to have a look.  Although I had decided to spend as little as possible at the market, her earrings caught my eye and I needed a pair.  As someone who is hardly ever indecisive, I battled to make a decision – they were all gorgeous!  With Leila’s help, we eventually decided to settle for the pair that best suited the outfit I was wearing at the time, making my decision a lot easier.  And even though I’m happy to report I have no buyers remorse with regards to the pair I eventually chose, I do still long for the fifteen other pairs I didn’t buy.

How freaking gorgeous are the products?  Finding the Bow Peep stand at the Hope Street Fashion Market was a positive reminder of what perks come along with being a girl. The Bow Peep website is as elegant as the products it showcases as well as being simple and easy to use with shots and prices of each product – ooo, how I love an organised artsy person. Leila also has a blog in which she visually diarises all the beautiful and interesting things that inspire her and her creations.

For more of her products, visit her website or like her facebook page.  If you’d like to get to know Leila a little better, I suggest giving her blog a read.  All images © Leila Badsha and Christine Watters.