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Style Muse Friday: Tsholo Dikobe of The Khoi Fro

22 November 2013


I was hipped to Tsholo when she showed up in my newsfeed on Facebook due to an article on African Prints' page, and boy am I happy she did.

Tsholo is one of a handful of fashion bloggers from and living on the continent of Africa that are redefining African fashion and style.



I completely obsessed with her mix of quirky prints and bright colors with classic staples, that banging afro and I find myself on her site everyday, eagerly anticipating a new outfit post. However, instead of telling her story for her, I am going to allow you to read it in her own words.

    
Where do you currently live and where are you from originally?

I am from, Botswana (Southern-Africa), born and bred, currently living here.



Why did you create your blog and what is it called?


I created my blog because I had so much to share about, my surroundings, Botswana, Africa and its Diaspora. It was mainly created to expose the riches of African culture, the creative talents, and to promote and provide accessibility to African local market. 

My blog is called “The Khoi Fro”. Khoi means “real people”, “men of men” of southern Africa who are physically and linguistically akin to the San. The Khoi-khoi are African historical personalities who made godly discoveries, and are a proud people with a rich culture, traditions and enlightenment spanning many years, hence the name, Khoi, honors the almost extinct tribe that is tied to our origins as a Motswana. 

I added the “vroe-woman” written “fro” to give it a twist and further acknowledge my roots and the fact that I am a proud African woman, who is kissed by the sun twice and has the capacity to love the whole world.  





How would you describe your personal style?

My personal style is mix and miss, un-planned and very unpredictable. I have to have that one statement piece in my outfit that is “off-ish” or one that pulls the outfit together. I don’t mix and match.  

How would you describe the African fashion scene nationally and locally ?

It’s an exciting time to be an African. African fashion is now the perfect “mood board” for international designers in that they now incorporate that African feel, motifs, elements and designs into their work. 

As for the fashion scene locally, Botswana is quite conservative but it’s starting to warm up to fashion as an element of expression rather than just covering up. There is that pride now in our ethnic heritage and tradition and that being depicted in our clothing. 

As for nationally, Africans now have a strong essence of being Africans. They are starting to appreciate the history and heritage that goes beyond their struggles. It’s all about re-creating their culture to fit the modern life but still being authentic, that’s how African fashion is right now. Authentically pinned for Africans themselves to interpret the fabrics and patterns and give them their meanings. It is a truly symbiotic relationship.



Who are some of Botswana's rising fashion houses or lines in your region of Africa?

Botswana designers are very much talented and a couple of them have showcased in international platforms. There is an urge to be, and reconstruct the past and the future through their designs. 

We have Koketso Chiepe,an internationally recognised designer based in UK/India who is the founder of Gaborone Fashion Weekend. We also have Mpho Kuaho, founder of Colour in the Desert Fashion Week. Furthermore there are those emerging designers, recognised and reputable designers such as Mothusi Lesolle, Botho Chalebgwa, Aobakwe Molosiwa, Lebang Setso, Thato Mokgadi, Fatima Mekgwe, Lebo Ramerafhe of Di-monde Reign, Black Trash, and accessory designers such as African Lace, Sino Ragontse, Jen Osei-Mensah, who are doing amazing jobs. 

Africans have now found their voices and no longer want to be silent about their own identity, struggles, achievements, they have found new ways to incorporate that onto their daily lives, to honour a life that is.




Look out for upcoming projects with my BFF and business partner Gaone Mothibi, together we are called GaTsh Fros. We are Botswana’s Fashion Artists. We write, create, style and do anything Fashion and culture. Like GaTsh Fros on FB and my personal page The Khoi-Fro for more.

Follow Khoi Fro

Instagram: @GaTsh Fros
Tsholo's Instagram: @thekhoi_fro,

Brown Beauty Monday: Naomie Harris

18 November 2013







Name: Naomie Harris
Nationality: British
Birthplace: London, England
Break Out Roll: Selena in 28 Days Later
Claim to Fame: Tia Dalma (Pirates of the Carribean) and Bond Girl MoneyPenny (Skyfall)
Recent: Winnie Mandela in Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom

Back in the Studio

17 November 2013


Yesterday, I had the opportunity to present my jewelry at a Boot Sale here in N. Ireland and I was happy to find that many people felt the collection was quite beautiful. I was commissioned to do three pieces and many others took cards. Hopefully, I will get to present at a Christmas Market in December.



 
At the moment, I am back in the studio, reworking some old pieces and planning my pieces for the SS2014 Collection. Here is a sneak peak into the color palette. Hope everyone is having a fantastic  weekend.

Toodles.


Be in the know: Handbags by VBell

13 November 2013

WHO: VBell Handbags
DESIGNER: Valentina Belotti
WHAT: Affordable bright and colorful GENUINE Italian leather hand-stitched handbags.
PEDIGREE: In house designer for Costume National, Dolce & Gabbana, and a consulting firm.
WHY: "I decided to make something of my own to do something that would express who I am without brakes or limits."
WHERE: Milano, Italy (but shipping world-wide)
PRICE RANGE: €38 - €48 ($50 - 65)










 

In a Spring Mood: Friday-spiration

08 November 2013
As we march towards winter and I try warming myself in front of the fire and hunkering down in flannel pajamas and down coverlets, I can't help but think of warmer times.

Although, I am spring baby, my favorite season is Fall, but when fall fades into winter, I long for spring in all its glory, the colorful blooms, longer and warmer days. Where as winter lacks warmth and is seemingly death to the soul at times. The longer and darker days can sometimes get to you.

I usually use this time to reflect. I must admit, as a creative person, I am always planning my collections a year in advance and this is no exception. Even though the Femme Fatale Collection has been doing quite well, I have been enjoying and using the last days to finish the drafting process of the ideas that formed in the Spring of this year for my SS 2014 Collection. I even have a name for it.

Until the Spring comes, here are a few things that will help me get through the cold winter months in my temporary home on the Emerald Isle.

Hope you all have a great weekend!



Featured Stylista: Lindsey Kay of The Belted Pear

01 November 2013
 






I first met Lindsay in S. Korea when my computer cord died and I needed a new one for less than $100. I ended up buying her used Mac cord and a friendship began to bud. I did see her again until we ran into each other at an Arts and Crafts Fair. She had done a photo series with an aspiring photographer living near by. We have since stayed in touch so I was delighted to learn that she too was a lover of fashion and vintage fashion at that. With her red hair and spunky personality, Lindsay has entered the world of fashion via her new style blog The Belted Pear. Here are a few Q&As about why she started her blog and her fashion personality.

1. Where do you currently live and where are you from originally?
I'm originally from Atlanta, Georgia but I'm now living in Daejeon, South Korea - a city about a couple hours away from Seoul.
2. Why did you create your blog and what is it called?
It was a combination of a lot of things. I've always loved fashion and fashion blogs and after reading them for years, I started to think, "Hey! I might be able do this myself." Also, my job gives me a lot of free time and I know I will not always be living in Korea with this job so I figured I should get the ball rolling on creating a blog when I had the time. And then it was also a creative outlet for me that I desperately needed. Back home, my mom and I are always doing diy projects, shopping, discussing the latest Project Runway episode but in Korea, I couldn't always get that "fashion fix." The blog was a way for me to talk about all things style-related without chatting my friends' or boyfriend's ear off. It's funny though, because since starting the blog, I've realized I was already surrounded by like-minded fashionistas - I had no idea!
3. How would you describe your personal style?
Eclectic. I think I tend to gravitate toward feminine, vintage-inspired clothes with a twist. I love a good structured fit-and-flare dress but I'm also obsessed with flowy, gauzy materials like chiffon and tulle (okay, mine are usually just polyester look-alikes, but I can pretend!) I also love love love color and prints. But honestly, at the end of the day, I just buy clothes that evoke emotion in me somehow when I put it on, as weird as that sounds.
4. Where do you buy most of your clothes?
THRIFT STORES! I am such a cheapskate. I would say of the clothes that I've actually bought, a good 85% of them are from thrift stores either in the U.S. or Korea. I also always go to Target when I'm back home visiting. I would say most of my clothes though I don't even buy. In Korea, people are always leaving the country and giving their clothes away. I get so many clothes from friends! It's not always my style, but I like the challenge of trying to work their wardrobe into my own.
5. what's your favorite go to piece in your wardrobe or that you would like to have in your wardrobe?
Let's see... probably my nude-colored wedges I got at a Korean thrift store. They are so comfortable I can walk in them anytime, anywhere. They match EVERYTHING and I can even wear them in winter with tights - gives the look a kind of 1970's vibe, which I love. Or probably maxi skirts and dresses. They make me feel feminine but they're so easy to throw on and comfortable. Remember, I'm from Georgia which means I'm a summer girl through-and-through! I'm all about light-weight dresses and sandals.
As far as something I would love to have in my wardrobe... I would have to say more actual real vintage pieces. It's very hard to find those kinds of clothes in Korea and when I'm visiting back home, it's just easier to swing by the local Goodwill and Target for what I need and then focus on spending time with my family.