Presenting Spinneli

These days, everyone with a smartphone believes they can be The Sartorialist. That's fine, to each his own. But once in a while, you come across someone who not only talks the talk but struts the heck out of it too. Nomanqoba Mthembu, probably known better in the blogosphere as Spinneli is that person. Full disclosure: theblagg has a soft spot for this 22-year-old because we really know her personally. However, her style and passion for fashion (yeah, I just said that) speaks for itself. It was so loud in fact, that it was just announced that she is one of 18 semi-finalists in the Elle Magazine in association with Blackberry Style Reporter competition. What's that, you may wonder?

Well, over 300 style savvy people vied for an opportunity to win a seven month paid contract as a style scout for the magazine. Entrants were asked to submit an entry that is inspired by fashion edits from the magazine and the finalists were chosen from there. The winner, however, will have a sweeter gig that just writing. What this means is that from December, someone will be in charge of reporting on street fashion trends and showing readers what's really 'hood, I mean good in fashion. The competition has been judged by a panel of industry insiders that include Elle's editor, Jackie Burger, but word is the actual winner will be decided by public vote. We think that's a bad idea but we don't make the rules. So peep the blog entry that got Spinneli this far over HERE and if you like her style sensibility then be sure to vote for her when the time comes.

Merci.

ART. IN. EVERYTHING

Go to this if you're in Johannesburg.

STR.CRD 2012

The third annual STR.CRD street culture showcase will be held in the Maboneng District for the second time this year. From 27-30 September, sneakerheads, skaters and likers of things will congregate for one of the most anticipated events of the year. Luckily for those of us who get cold pretty easily, the live acts stage doesn't look like it will be outdoors if the new venue (the MOAD Building) is where it will really be.

Speaking of the live acts, this year's international headliners are Jesse Boykins III and Just A Band. I'll be honest, I didn't see Jesse's name popping up when I was pondering who they might bring out. I mean, last year, the headline act was the inimitable Theophilus London so I thought the following year would be someone equally if not more amazing. But maybe there really is a market for ol' Jesse and I just wasn't aware.

No matter, there will still be local musicians to mount the stage and I'm pretty excited for that line-up to be announced. As usual, there will be international sneaker culture and fashion power players who will be in attendance and share their skills at the STR.SESSIONS. You already know how theblagg feels about Claw Money so we're friggin excited about that! We'll keep you posted on what else will be popping at the event as time goes along.

fratpack live

You know Choclate Seruno, right? So he's got the whole W.A.T.E.R clothing label thing going but he's launching his Styled By Seruno wing at Capello in Parkhurst tomorrow night. To do that, he has roped in fratpack and Bhubesii as well as a few DJs. Entrance is free and you can eat while you enjoy the performances so it sounds like a good idea to me. And yeah, up top is Mr Calibre in those Styled By Seruno threads. What do you think? You like them?

The [Horizontal] Cross

I've been trying to remain mum about my obsession with the horizontal cross for a while now. I've never been the type to insist on wearing religious "jewelery" or accessories that may be a nod to a certain faith whether one ascribes to it or not. Nope, you won't catch me with a red string around my wrist. But I have this strong urge to cop one or three of these.

Jennifer Zeuner is one of the most prominent designers whose name is associated with this design (especially among celebrities) and all the ones pictured here are from her work. You have to dig deep in your pockets for them though because they are priced at above $100. Pick your jaw up. There have been other outlets that hooked up their own sideways beauties and I'm sure you could also find someone to make one for you. At least that's what I'm going to do. I really do dig it. It's the fact that the cross is not in its traditional direction and is given a funkier edge because of it is horizontal. But it's also about the placement of it. On most chains, this cross doesn't sit dead centre.

Various celebrities have been seen rocking a version of this baby - yeah, even Beyonce and you know how I feel about her - so (in my best Jam Alley voice) ohhhvviiiiias it's a trend. BUT, be honest, even you can't front on the horizontal cross. Peep the anklet below. I haven't wanted to wear an anklet since standard four!

A 2BOP Winter

Nope, it's not over yet. If you're in Cape Town or Johannesburg you know how super serious this season is. And if you're in Durban then at least you had pretty horses and the four legged animals to brighten your city this weekend. Moving along. South African clothing brand, 2BOP, is doing their thing out at the Bread and Butter trade show in Berlin right now. Nuff respek. Also, nuff respek for this Moerse T sweater at the top of this post.


And this Hang Slange one

This Galagationz

And you've all seen the Super Nintendo joints that come in black and grey

So, the small and medium Moerse Ts are sold out. Boo for us. But you can always head over to Shelflife or the 2BOP Online Store to check for you size....

Let's Play Catch-Up

Picture borrowed from HERE

As you may or may not know, Dude was a part of the STR.CRD blog challenge a while back and while in it, he got to shoot some pretty dope material. Now the competition is over and I know that some of you may not have been able to attend the Joburg showcase or just may not have seen this footage. Shot on theblaggcam and edited by Dude, this is a quick gonzo-like interview he did with Ofentse’s friend in the head, Va$htie and after that video, a dope performance by Cape Town’s own, Ill Skillz.

Va$htie:



Ill Skillz:

OKMKKHK

No, that title is not some code acronymn for a racist sect that wears pointy hats. It's actually Dirty Paraffin's OKMalumKoolkat's Kool Hunting Klub. Mouthful, right? DP has always had a unique way of expressing themselves through their clothes so it comes as no surprise that one of their endeavours would be clothing. Also known as DJ PartyTime, this half of DP has a pop-up space at the DOPEstore on 30 Loveday Street in Johannesburg. But it's there for a limited period so make sure you make your way down there. The jacket worn above is actually one of the pieces that you can find in the space. As seen below, there is plenty more for you to feat your eyes on. All pictures lifted off Malume's blog.

I Know My Birthday's Passed But...

Can someone, anyone, please hook me up? About three years old, MadeMe is a clothing brand that makes some of the phlyest clothes. Like this Perfecto Motorcycle Jacket that's a collaboration between MadeMe and Schott NYC. As you can see, the inside features a cool flower pattern lining by Liberty Of London. This beauty was going for over $600 - do the math - so it would be rad if someone slipped a sista one... Just saying.

Democratizing Denim

People are producing amazing things out here. When Gap moved from their San Francisco HQ, they set up shop at Pico Creative Loft which used to be a cigar factory in Los Angeles. How rad does it look?

Anyway, so this is where their 1969 denim line - using the Democratizing Denim tag as their inspiration - came to life. Once they did that, they got the awesome team at Cool Hunting to help them tell the story of Gap's new design studio. So they did:

Gap fall campaign 2011 (Pico loft) from michael paterson on Vimeo.

Crooks & Castles

There are a lot of brands that Dude admires and he always gets sidetracked before he has a chance to tell you all what's what. But don't fret, The Ordinary Girl is here to at least give you a taste of what's on his mind. For a few years, Dude has been raving about Crooks & Castles and I'd just be like "pass the remote" but to his credit, he was trying to get me onto something dope. Even Jay-Z wears it. Although, that may turn a few people off. Anyway, I can't quite remember where I read this but one of the corner stones of C&C is "behind every castle there's a crook" so that already gives you an idea of owner, Dennis Calvero's thinking. So if you like the shoes above then chances are you'll like the brand as a whole. Check them out:

Crooks & Castles Fall 2011 Preview from Crooks & Castles on Vimeo.

A Bathing Ape Ladies Fall/Winter 2011

" Ladies!! Mantombazan' "

We know when you think A Bathing Ape, you probably think loud colours on early Pharrell and Street Journal Siyabonga Ngwekazi. Well, we came across something for the ladies from A Bathing Ape. Peep the video below and tell us what you think.

Daisy Lowe for A Bathing Ape Ladies Fall/Winter 2011 from Highsnobiety on Vimeo.

Kids Are More Than Alright

Acclaimed fashion photographer, Tony Kelly is dope. He shot this commercial for American Apparel and instead of doing the fashion shots we’ve come to associate with clothing ads, he let kids be kids. Sure, these are extraordinary kids but that child-like magic that only humans who aren’t tall enough to get onto a rollercoaster at Gold Reef City possess is still a joy to witness. Tony brought in “world-renowned” breakdancers, Jalen Testerman and Lil Demon. My, don’t we suddenly feel old now. Shout out to Rea for leading us here.

Black Scale 2011 Spring Collection

Dude has really taken a liking to a brand called Black Scale. Please check out their Spring Collection Below. Peep the pics and tell us what you think.

Homie In The Dickies In My Zone Tonight*

From the Soph x Dickies 10th Anniversary 874 Pants edition

You guys know a dude in Dickies gets way more play than a guy in some other brand, right? Think about it, for the longest time Dickies was worn by folks who work hard for their paper. Guys who put in work whatever they do. Soldiers who are "known to carry big things if you know what I mean*." Men who think - and play - out of the box.

The only box that goes well with a Dickies man is the BMW Box Shape 325i. Yebo, I'm talking about the Gusheshe boss. Up until March, Dickies is running a competiton that sees four rising stars travel South Africa in these bad boys. They are in search of the most out-of-the-box talents our country has to offer. The winners of the Out Of the Box With Dickies competition will drive away with one of three Box Shape 325is. Click HERE to find out how it could be you popping wheelies at Vaal Mall's parking lot.



We're hoping it will be a Dickies dude or lady. In 2010 Dickies is a brand that you can work from the car assembly line to the corporate fall-in-line scenarios. If you've seen theblagg's Dude then you know Dickies pants are a staple in many a South African man's life. And with good reason. The 874 pants in particular are certified honey magnets. You could win yourself a pair of these pants. Keep coming back to theblagg to find out how.

How phly are these Soph 10th Anniversary Celebration 874 pants? Say word.

*I know, I know, too much Destiny's Child but work with me here.

Gimme My Money Juta!

Vie of Twenty Two

Ok, so maybe Golden Shovel doesn't exactly say that. But it's a nice tie in to what we're about to let you guys in on. Juta Street in Braamfontein is being made into the newest "cultural precinct" of Jozi. Think the likes of Arts on Main and 44 Stanley. And hopefully, Juta will give you your money's worth. One of the things theblagg is excited about is a quaint little spot called Twenty Two.

Homegirl pictured at the top is Vie, the owner of this new boutique that is sitting pretty on 70 Juta Street. The store opening is this Sunday from 2pm til 7pm so make your way through and support a sista. theblagg caught up with the busy fashionista and here's what she told us:

theblagg: First let's start off with the obvious question, why the name Twenty Two?
Vie: The name was derived from many things; the significance of the number 22 in
Numerology, the fact that the 22nd year is such an exciting and pivotal time in many
young women’s lives and also from how the number 22 has featured in my own life
It’s also not limited to or just targeted at 22 year olds (as many people think) but more to people who have the mind sets of 22 year olds; optimistic, daring, fearless, carefree, individualistic!

theblagg: What brands will be stocked at the boutique?
Vie: We stock the best upcoming designers from SA and internationally as well as
beautiful once off vintage pieces that are supplied by well know South African stylists.

theblagg: What made you want to start a boutique?
Vie: I always loved clothes and retail. I’ve worked in fashion retail in one way or another since I was 14 years old and it’s always been my dream. I was also just hungry for a place that sold all the kind of clothes I would love to buy that I never find ANYWHERE!!


Twenty Two on 70 Juta Street in Braamfie


theblagg: Were there any hurdles you had to jump over to make this happen?
Vie: The WHOLE journey felt like one big hurdle... financing was the biggest issue for the longest time because my financing fell through after I had already left my full time job and if you’ve ever tried to get financing from anywhere you know that no one ever wants to give an unemployed creative large sums of money for ANYTHING!

theblagg: How hard or easy was it to leave your corporate life and swap it for a creative business?
Vie: Leaving was easy, very easy in fact, but once the first set of debit orders came a-knocking I started to realise the gravity of my decision and had to deal with a lot of emotional ups & downs. Luckily I was so well supported emotionally (and sometimes financially when things were really bad) by my friends & fam that I never had the opportunity to regret my decision. I had one moment of weakness though where I started sending my CV out but I hated that feeling so much I never actually followed through.

theblagg: We know the whole Juta Street area is being hailed the new cultural hub of Jozi, what elements do you think make Twenty Two on Juta a great fit?
Vie: Twenty Two and 70 Juta are a match made in heaven! The brand is youthful, creative, energetic, urban & full of love for upcoming design talent which is what I think Braamfontein radiates. I just felt at home when I first saw that space.

Twenty Two


theblagg: The launch is this Sunday, what can people expect?
Vie: They can expect a lazy afternoon basking in the JHB city sun surrounded by the
trendiest, most beautiful, exciting people in Africa.

theblagg: Sneakers are obviously very dear to theblagg's heart, are there some of the things at Twenty Two that cater to the kicklover?
Vie: Even the kicklover needs to wear clothes sometimes so yeah I think anyone who
loves stand-out design and being in an inspiring space will appreciate what we’ve got to offer.

theblagg: What advise would you give an aspiring boutique owner?
Vie: You can never plan enough. Treat your suppliers well. They can make or break your business. Don’t do it if you don’t love it with your whole heart and soul because it’s a lot less glamorous than it looks.

And there you have it blaggers and blaggets. Show your love to Twenty Two when you get your money right.

The Madbury Club Autumn 2010 Video Lookbook

One of Dudes favourite websites, The Madbury Club, dropped a behind the scenes video for their lookbook for Autumn 2010. Yeah, the clothes that they are showcasing will be a bit too warm for us since we just hit Spring and heading for Summer but I thought their clothes were dope. So we are putting the video up...

The Madbury Club Autumn 2010 Video Lookbook from The Madbury Club on Vimeo.

10.Deep 2010 Fall Collection

Now usually we don't do this but this New York based brand 10.Deep has had quite an effect on Dude. We still don't know where we can get in South Africa but we like 10.Deep. Peep the video below to preview their 2010 Fall Collection.

Fall 2010 Preview from 10 Deep on Vimeo.