Fashion Friday With Welsh The Stylist

Firstly fashion folks we'd like to apologize for last Friday. We know we didn't keep up and fill your fashion appetites. But well, this week we back and back with some VA VA voom.

StylearchiveZW caught up with  Bulawayo's own renowned stylist, Welshman Sibanda and we were more than ecstatic when he agreed to feature on this article. So we got right on it and this is what came out.

Being a stylist, I thought it best to get to know his personal style first and this is what he said :
"My sense of style is mainly retro infused with African wear.Im a bit laid back and l believe it all originated in the past thats why l prefer vintage.Bringing African in it ,marks that lm an African original.lm content being African l love my mother land."

Vintage and Africa. That's one combo I really got to respect and this gentleman always manages to put that extra oomf on it. To be a successful stylist, I'm sure he's worked with so many designers but well we needed to know his favs and this is what he said :

"Best designer locally is Annie G. Gonyora and internationally is David Tlale...l see myself in that level few years to come."

This fashionista really plays with the big guns. Really great designers. We then got to my favorite part where I asked him to give us a definition of STYLE for a dictionary and this is what he had to say:

"Style to me is believing in yourself and turning a blind eye to the negative critics and be different in everything you execute.Being creative and innovative is part of the equation on putting your pieces together"

Longest definition I'm sure but getting it from the expert, who would dare argue. We then asked for some fashion advice since summer is on the doorstep and this is how he gladly gave us:

"Advice, since summer is around the corner always keep fit, go to gym and tone the muscles."A healthy body carries a healthy mind".

Mmhm there you had it folks, let's get jogging for that healthy mind

Haute Couture by Fatima Jeradi

 Goddess by Fatima. If you call yourself a fashion lover then that statement should ring a bell. Yes folks, that's a fashion label owned by one fashion goddess based in Harare called Fatima Jeradi who is slowly changing the meaning of HAUTE COUTURE into a whole new level. I had an amazing chance to interview her and this is it how it went down:

FT - Fatima Jeradi
SaZw - StylearchiveZW

SaZw!: How did u get into fashion design? Was it always your dream

FT : I've always loved playing with fabrics since I was a little girl. I remember my dad used to keep piles of curtains and I would one piece at a time without him knowing. I'd cut it all up and make stuff out of it all.

SaZw!: That must have been so fun for you hey!

SaZw!: What would you say you enjoy the most about designing clothes?

FT: I love to see the magic of bringing my designs and ideas to life. To see the joy on a client's face, now that's really rewarding!

SaZw!: What would you say is the most challenging part in the whole process?

FT: The most challenging part is the making of the pattern. If that is not done with accuracy then the whole design will not come out.

SaZw!: I can imagine the stress of it all. So if you had the choice of working with any designer in the world, who would be and why?

FT: If I had a chance to work with any designer in the world it would be Ellie Saab. His creations are out of this world.

SaZw!: He really is one of my favorite as well. Can you describe your style?

FT: My style is very elegant, stylish and very classy

Rocking one of her designs from sketch

SaZw!: So would you say your work reflects your personal fashion taste??

FT: I'd say yes as my designs have to look elegant and classy. 

SaZw!: Oh yes it makes sense. Where do you derive your inspiration from or what makes you succeed?

FT: I'd say I'm inspired by beauty be it flowery , beautiful women or glossy magazines and fashion itself.

SaZw!: What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a fashion designer?

FT: Be passionate about what you doing and really work hard on it. Also be patient as things don't just happen overnight. Work hard and follow your dream.

 

SaZw!: Thank you very much Fatima for you time. Wish you the best in everything you do

FT: Pleasure

Make-up Artistry with the Experts

Folks I've talked about how many peeps love making themselves look amazing. Ladies this time focusing on you, we have realised how make-up has much effect when it comes to beautifying yourselves. So we decided to talk to some experts in this field to help us understand this field a bit more 

Mat Tux Horton : Make-up Artist

Firstly we talked to Bulawayo based make-up artist, Mat Tux Horton. Having been exposed to make-up artistry from the Modelling industry during his stay in Hongkong and Thailand, he learnt so many skills and techniques from the best artists in the industry. This developed to his passion and love for make-up and it's application. Even though he does make-up for photoshoot and peagants, his speciality is bridal make-up of all skin tones and races. He takes pride in having control of beautifying someone's face on their important day and this is what drives him even more. He believes the most important tip is for women to embrace their beauty and be proud of what God gave them. I got a chance to talk to one Amy-Leigh who had her makeup done by Mat at her wedding and this is what she had to say :

My experience with Mat was nothing but positive.... he was more than just a make-up artist he was an awesome sense of calm in the chaos..... needless to say his make up was amazing and he also did my mum and bridesmaids as well as aunt and mum in law. He is a true talent, make up extraordinaire. 

Amanda Mudangadura

Next we talked to another Bulawayo based make-up artist, Amanda Mtangadura. Being a former runway model, this lady also learnt a lot when it comes to the application of makeup. Her exposure was further intensified during her stay in Germany as make-up was part of her grooming and etiquette course. She caters for basically anyone who wants to beautify themselves and she advises ladies to know the right colours for their skin tones. 

So in Bulawayo ladies you can never go wrong  with who to do your make-up on that special day or give you tips. 

Fashion Friday With Haleema Mekani

Folks I bring to you the second edition of Fashion Friday. In this slot we strictly talk to fashion savvy peeps and this week, we managed to get in touch with one lady who literally breathes fashion. Haleema Mekani ,renowned fashion stylist, Fashion consultant and mentor for the young designers at Zim Fashion Week.

Having asked her what her personal sense of style is, this is how she responded :

My sense of style is definitely a "kaleidoscope of personal expression". I can only put together a look that I am 100% in love with. And if I don't feel inspired I don't bother getting dressed up. Forcing the situation would only result in self conscious doubts throughout the day and I can't be consumed by that.

This made me really believe that inspiration really is a major factor in one's sense of style. We then asked her who her favorite local and international designers are and this is what she had to say :

Locally there's a few that I've slowly become addicted to. Anyone who knows me can attest that Haus Of Stone is probably high on that list. I love Lady Targaryen back packs, any metallic accessory from DeeKawZee and of course my first local love Maita Marimo (her coats are to die for).Internationally, Africa included, I have always been a die hard Chanel addict, it was my introduction to the world of fashion and has stuck ever since. But I also love Taibo Bacar, Kamokini, Elie Saab, Prabal Gurung and BCBG & Herve Leger by Max Azria.

I'd say from this peeps you can really tell what we meant by that this lady breathes fashion. We then decided to hit her with our favorite twist of asking her how she'd respond if asked for a definition of STYLE for a dictionary and this is what she said :

My definition of style (dictionary or not) is "authentic creativity expressed through the use of visual aids encompassing clothing, accessories, jewelry, hair and make up in order to create yourself."It's a mouthful but it best describes (for me) what style is about. Being able to create then recreate yourself as a brand.

For a fashionista like her, we couldn't expect less. We then asked for some style advice since summer is around the corner (my fav part),and this is what we got:

When we think of summer we immediately fall into the trap of short, sleeveless or cropped, for the conservative it's maxi.I would rather opt for light, breathable and bright. There's so much you can do with just the right fabric, silhouette and color. Challenge yourself to explore a different side to your personal style and if you can't navigate around it all, call me!

Well you heard it folks, if you can't navigate around it get in touch with this goddess. Till next Friday then folks. Lovely weekend to all,!

Fashion Friday With Tino Katsande

Fashion folks, StyleArchivezw welcomes you to the first of many series to come of Fashion Friday With....

This week on our first article we decided to allow one of famous and very stylish queen from TV give us an insight on style and what it is. Yes folks we talked to Tino Katsande and got to talk abt her personal style and tips she can part with.

Asked on what her sense of style is and why, this is how this gorgeous being responded:

I have a very very versatile character and hence my style follows suit. From high end fashion labels  to wholesale brands,  haute couture to the thrift shop . From bling to gordy trinklets , class to trash I love all things fashion so I just rock it. Keeps my life simple.

This made me have so much respect for her because versatility in fashion can be tricky buh with her she manages to look amah-zing all the tym.

Asked about her favourite local and international designers, this is what she had to say:

I'm inlove with tons of local designers to be honest it would be insane of me to call out even one. The growth and diversity being reveleled on the local fashion designer scene is cray cray I feel like Alice in Wonderland every time I go to a fashion show. Being the PR for ZFI I get to experience first hand the best in young designers through them showcasing at Zimbabwe fashion week every year. I love my job maan.

And I was busy thinking, 'what a lucky woman'. Now we understand why this woman olwaiz looks dapper. Working  hand in hand with the designers it means she's exposed to the best of fashion.

So I decided to give it a bit of a twist and asked her what she'd say if she was asked to come up with a definition of style in a dictionary. She simple came up with a "Do you". I was totally impressed. I've olwaiz believed ones style is about an individual and their interests. So folks right from a fashionista, DO YOU and you'll never go wrong.

Lastly I asked her to give folks advice on style since summer is arnd the corner and this is what she had to say:

I'm entering summer 6 months pregnant so my advice in summer in my #currentsituation  is  light fabrics and solid vibrant colors

Yes folks we got it from the horse's mouth, there's a bun in the oven but this hasn't stopped the fashionista from looking exquisite all the tym with evidence on the pic below.

So folks there you have it and till next Friday with more fashion tips!

Preparations For Summer!

In less than a month it'd be the end of this dreadful cold season. We'll be packing  those heavy warm coats and the fur boots at the back of our wardrobes. I'm sure most of y'all lyk me can't wait to take out our light clothings and flaunt all we got. Yes summer is around the corner folks and this is the best tym to make sure that when it gets here, we READY.

This would be the perfect time to be dealing with what's in our wardrobes. I'm sure we still have the skimpy shorts and maxi dresses buh it won't hurt a soul to get yoself something new for the coming summer. Whatever clothing piece we myt wanna buy, we'd do well to choose something with bright and mood-enhancing colours. We myt as well consider florals in bright colours. You myt be thinking, why bright colours? Well we sure can't forget the sun will be out for longer parts of the day and we'd want to make a statement when we feature. Most folks will be rocking sunglasses so don't feel pity for their eyes. Go out and make the perfect statement this cmng summer

In past hot seasons we've made it a point that we let our accessories define our sense of style. How about we change that for once this summer and adopt the phrase 'less is better'. Trying something new is always kinda challenging buh we can't let it bring us down. Torn down a bit on accessories this cmng summer and instead let our shoes do the accessorizing. It's a norm that in those hot days we jus throw in our flops buh it's tym we invest on more stylish ones. Choose something that has neutral colours at the same tym have details that will enhance your accessorizing goal.

The minute we mention sunny day, we think SUNGLASSES. This is a necessity folks this cmng summer and let's not jus buy a pair but invest in one. Choose something durable at the same tym with UV protection. Those rays can easily damage our eyes so how abt we protect them in a stylish way. Also a tip, knoe yo face shape and choose a pair that'll go together with it for that sassy look.

Winter has had us eating almost evrithing to keep ourselves warm. Well that tym is very over folks. Skimpy clothes will mean more revealing of body structure so we wudnt want disappointment when we take out our summer clothes and they don't fit. Come up with a healthy eating plan and a regular exercise routine to have that toned up body come flaunting tym in pool parties.

We all knoe hot days come with a lot of sweating and not-so-desirable odours. Bathing comes at the top of the list ladies and gentlemen. Get rid of those hairs in those corners we won't mention. Deodorize and with all these u can never go wrong. The last thing we want is pple avoiding us when we tryna take a group selfie.

So folks let's make sure that when summer gets here, all on our check list has been done. See you in summer!!!!