For once in my life I can say I've been really busy the past few weeks and it won't be because I'm posing a perfectionist procrastinator, binge-watching Teen Wolf and choking on failed dreams. No, this time, it's half of that.
The beautiful Ogunrombi sisters, Foyin from Dear Solo on the far right.
There was South African Fashion Week A/W 2015 two weeks ago. Blogged here and here. Amongst getting drowned in dirty mop water and getting an eyebrow pimple from all the makeup, I actually ended up on Mzansi Insider, a local breakfast show, but I missed getting to binge-watch myself. Again, it is a breakfast show. I was also spotted by A Fashion Friend and the Urban Mavericks.
Seriously, throwing it back to about a week ago, I saw Alysia Harris - based goddess of all things poetic and lyric - perform L I V E, as in IRL, as in for real, as in I could reach out and not smudge my computer screen, at the Joburg Theatre with other Khensani, from Oh Kenzo. Our shared knowledge and love for Alysia made me realise that we are twinsies. It was such a spiritual experience; Alysia is quite possibly a witch because everything she does is magic and the whole audience shared collective pangs of heartbreak because she was real and she would leave after this night.
You're missing the plot in all its entireity if you're not already a fan.
On the same day I was doused in dirty mop water, my class friends and I threw a cocktail party for our parents so they could have a 'let's come up with crazy things for our kids' matric dances so that we can relive our youth - things like planning their after parties or staying for the duration of their dances' meet. Oddly enough, everyone's parents dissolved into cliques familiar to that of the pre-existing cliques of their children and all us children spent most of the night gorging ourselves on the platters the adults didn't touch and I took a million photos of everyone.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Africa has just came and passed in a blur of macaroons, free drinks and swag bags. I've spent the past week reporting on everything for Style Africa. You can find my:
Day 1 Roundup here
Day 2 Roundup here
Day 3 Roundup here
Day 4 Roundup here
Interview with designer, Ines Cuatrecasas of Mille Collins here
Elle Rising Star 2014, Tamara Cherie Dyson here.
Every time I've gone out with my friends, I've always noticed all these really beautiful aesthetically cohesive moments and wished I'd had the strength to carry my camera around all the time. Things like the way pink, red and purple lights fall of everyone's faces, girls with giant hair shouting the words to Ashanti and Ja Rule's Always On Time and overdressed Joburg stylistas pigging out on McDonald's or Burger King.
This is Kelicia running away because a creepy old man was watching me take photos of her and Kate and not having the most kosher of things to say at that.
"Khensani, you look so mad." "This is the only face I have!"
All the people working at the gas station took the time out of their busy 19h45 schedule to watch us take photos of each other. It was so incredibly uncomfortable.
Kelicia making arrangements for the night.
"MY ANACONDA DON'T want none of this car any longer, on the real though.""
The above blurry, iPhone photograph was taken by a stubborn party-goer who was wearing chinos and a bad attitude about taking un petit photo of me and my girls while also trying to hit on us and perhaps try to take a bad photo of Kelicia (middle) which, as he found out, is scientifically impossible and morally wrong.
This was two days after change-your-hair-change-your-life applied to me (see: weave) and a less than 24 hours before I would prepare to board a plane heading to the greatest two weeks of my life: summer in Europe. Think of this photo as the beginning of Daydream Nation or whatever Indie film where our heroine's all like, "... before everything changed forever."
I've been back in sunny South Africa for almost a week now and I haven't had the courage to write or blog or stay at home all day because that would mean my European summer, my climb up Kilimanjaro if you will, was officially over and that it would all only exist in shared memories and unflattering photographs.
So I've been looking at life before Europe, laughing at how completely different life turned out to be.
I just wanted to show how cute my outfit was - well, at least I felt really cute because I had frilly socks over my tights. Also, my panther jersey never gets to go outside to play. Also, my friend, Kate, made that top five minutes before we had to leave the house.
So, my little Northern Hemispherites (and, yeah, some of you Southerners), how has your summer (or "summer") been going?
For someone with such short-term vision, I think I'm gonna risk jinxing myself and say that 2014 is a good year. I just want to thank Elle SA and Mercedes-Benz for making such a great day possible. I really wouldn't wanted to have it any other way else.
I've delayed actually writing this for the longest of time because I don't even know what my life is right now so here are some pretty photos from a great (long) day. The little report back I did for Elle will better capture how I felt right after the events - this is the link. And this. As well as this. Oh, and this.
Elle Style Reporter, Niquita Benta who is literally the sweetest person ever with the nicest legs as well.
That's South Africa's diamond, Minnie Dlamini, getting her hair done.
That's Elle fashion editor, Tarryn Oppel, who makes the greatest spreads.
Minnie getting her face done.
These are photos taken by Niquita Bento that are live on the Elle blog:
And now we resume to our regular programming:
Hopefully I'll get the courage to do a reflective post on the whole experience and how I feel about fashion people and the South African fashion industry. Forever Khenzo x
