Chronicles of the dress-up closet

November 6, 2014
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Teased hair beauty

When I saw the words high fashion editorial pop up in my inbox I knew this was the day I got to be Yu Tsai so I left my books and headed all the way to the third floor. I hate the stairs but that wasn’t going to stop me from witnessing and later sharing with you the beauty of the teased curly hair hairstyle. This hairstyle has been worn by women since the 1900s and if you ask me, it’s not growing old. It’s beauty lies in its ability to effortlessly transform one’s hair by adding volume without the use of chemicals as can be seen on the model. So go ahead tease your hair and add a dark shade of lipstick for the sophisticated finish.

June 1, 2014
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Stylecrushsunday

“My style crush at the moment has got to be Svala Björgvins, the Icelandic lead singer of the house band, Steed Lord. I love how she plays around with color and how she coordinates her outfits while remaining elegant. She’s vibrant and has a unique sense of style. I mean I can’t think of anyone more interesting than Kali; she’s Icelandic, dresses up like a Japanese person and sings like a South African.” – Zama Mncube

Source: http://dusty-reykjavik.blogspot.com/2013/05/svala-bjorgvins.html
And https://www.facebook.com/SvalaKali

June 1, 2014
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Grunge Punk

I wouldn’t say this look is far off from my everyday look, however,the grunge look is associated with someone who wears what they want and is comfortable in their own skin. They wear bold or dark colours, tights, checked clothing, converse all stars, military boots and leather jackets, skirts or dresses i.e. Miley Cyrus, Cara Delevingne , the Olsen twins and Taylor Momsen. And has a way off making it seem like the coolest style in the world and they look bada$$ (excuse my “French”).

“Black is not my favourite colour to wear so I am surprised that I managed to pull off a, hopefully good, punk look. Besides, my attempt to create the look I find the whole genre fascinating. First starting off as a counter-culture in the 1970s and now a commodified fashion inspiration for other styles. Maybe in the future I will invest in this style. What do you guys think?”

Photographer: Zama Mncube

Photographer: Alexis

source: www.mujerdeelite.com

source: le-21eme.com

Source: youryoutopia.wordpress.com

Source: asylumattendant.wordpress.com

May 1, 2014
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High-fashion

High-fashion possess that certain charm with a mix of classy that becomes trendy for all ages. High-fashion is the style that is most glamourised in the shop-window displays, which clothes-lovers turn their head and imagine wearing that outfit in a beautiful city.

Photographer: Zama Mncube

“When I hear the term High fashion, what comes to mind is chic, classy, coutoure and bold prints. Hence I chose the polka dot maxi skirt and paired it up with an inverse print and off course the timeless pointy-toe pumps; Lord knows you can never go wrong with those. whenever i think of high fashion i can’t help but think Paris, Milan and London so i thought it would be interesting to add this bold decor items from my friend’s place. High-fashion is about taking risks, being bold and being a trendsetter some might like it and others might hate it, you just have to be willing to put yourself out there. ” (Décor displayed at the bottom)

Photographer: Zama Mncube

“I don’t really know much about high-fashion except my hair is high fashion according to a stranger I bumped into in the streets.”

Photographer: Zama Mncube

Décor items:

Photographer: Zama Mncube

Next issue coming soon!

April 20, 2014
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Bohemian

Bohemian style is more than just flowing skirts, animal prints or patterns, and feather earrings. The term Bohemian is rich in its historical content, from the meaning of gypsy, to cross dressing, to inspired counter-cultures, and to the unconventional artistic lifestyle.

Photographer: Zama Mncube

“Bohemian genre is something special to me; it represents being yourself and not being governed by what society and people believe who you should be. Whenever I wear Bohemian style, I always imagine myself as an artist living her life in unconventional manner.”

Photographer: Zama Mncube

“There’s something about the chic, elegant yet playful nature of the bohemian style, it’s one of the most liberating dress styles. In an unexpected way it pushed me out of my comfort zone, I’d been meaning to try out the denim on denim look but i just couldn’t until now when I saw it fitting to add animal print to that mix. Some say it’s difficult to pull off the animal prints, but the trick is to realize that less is more and refrain from being too matchy. Color clash if you may but do not be too matchy or you look like you’re trying too hard. And the bohemian look is about effortless beauty and grace.”

Photographer: Zama Mncube

Next issue coming soon!

April 2, 2014
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The best clothes are old clothes with history

Recently these few years, Vintage style has become such a popular way of dress that people are beginning to rummage through their grandparent’s closets. Vintage clothes possess a certain charm with their history and the quality is top-notch.

Photographer: Zama Mncube

“We decided to go vintage this time. My dress is from the 1980s, which is the pertinent period of women empowerment. This decade marked an increase in educational and job opportunities for women. Not forgetting Nancy Reagan’s anti-drug campaign and Margret Thatcher’s reign. Even though I was asked a couple of times if I was going to certain event or if I’d gone to lectures looking “like this” I was filled with pride as I thought about how far women have come.”

Photographer: Zama Mncube

“The clothes I am wearing are hand-me downs from my grandmother. These clothes hold meaning for me because they have their own story and I am adding another chapter to the story.”

Photographer: Zama Mncube

Next issue coming soon!

March 22, 2014
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Lady boys

Gender is social construction. Girls do not only wear skirts and dresses. Men do not always have to buy from the male section. Pushing the boundaries of social construction has been one of the main things why people dress the way they do.

Photographer: Zama Mncube: Photographer: Zama Mncube

“My favorite fashion icon at the moment is Asap Rocky mainly because he once wore a tank top which basically looked like a dress. I love how he’s not afraid to express himself in terms of how he dresses. So when my partner suggested we do lady boys, I was ecstatic, I couldn’t possibly think of any style more controversial yet appealing at the same time. It took me back to my childhood where my mom would dress me in a girly manner and my dad as a tomboy, I loved and still love both looks, so why not go over the gender boundaries.”

Photographer: Zama Mncube

“Society is cruel in the way each individual subjects themselves to what is a boy and what is a girl. Pink are for girls and blue are for boys. But what happens if you don’t want to be part of that binary. Clothes for me become an opportunity to become someone different everyday. I want my identity to be fluid, and that is why I admire Lady boys because they are not afraid to complicate the binary. ”

Photographer: Zama Mncube

March 13, 2014
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Read about the dress-up closet

Everyday, individuals go into the world with a particular idea of what they are and who they are; the best way to express this is through clothing.

Defining yourself in the world becomes a performance- a dress-up.

As the weekly chronicle creators, we will create different identities for different styles of fashion to challenge our conventional style. Each week, a new identity opens up a new understanding of ourselves and the world we occupy. We hope to inspire others to do the same.

Publishing soon.