In The Pink

I recently had a conversation with two of my closest friends. An unexpected one, and one that quite plainly had to be stopped for fear of scaring each other to death..

The three of us have been together since school days, always a shoulder to lean on, always there for one another - the kind of friends that don't come around often and the kind you make sure to keep. The common thread that seems to bind us, is our creative minds and our ability to look for 'the most' out of life. All three of us studied design and whether our views on art, beauty or fashion combine or clash it always makes for interesting conversation and forms an appreciation for one another beyond emotions and friendship. We respect one another.  So there we were chatting in circles about where we are in life and where we want to go. How our careers hadn't turned out exactly as we'd hoped and how we'll ever make a living off following our dreams. Marriage, work, money, property, love - our future. The seriousness of it all was overwhelming.

So true to who I am, I'm ignoring it all and carrying on in all my naivety. The best way in my opinion.

Below are shots from a shoot by Saskia Wilson for the blog 'Fashion Gone Rogue'. I found them this morning and it's exactly what I needed. To be taken back to simpler times, when problems made way for play-time and rose coloured glasses had never been so clear. To be reminded of childish innocence, that it lives within us and it's up to us to keep it alive. Without it, we'll surely drown in the reality of living an adult life. So let's all take a step back and live 'In The Pink' for a minute. And how better to do this than with fashion..



Check out fashiongonerogue.com for the full shoot.

Stay fabulous fashionistas,

xoxo

Melissa Jane

Apologies In Advance Fashionistas..

Camilla and Marc - SS 2012

I am new to finding this duo, (brother-sister design team) Camilla and Marc. Based in Australia they debuted at Australian fashion week in 2003 and have since been a regular on the runway. On stumbling upon them while submerging myself in the Internet, I immediately had coveting pangs of excitement. Rarely do I find a collection so inspiring to my personal aesthetic and so clearly made to be owned by me! Every piece has me dying over it. Even as a Spring/Summer collection it fits so easily into what I think should be on our backs this Winter in SA. Reading up on the brand, they're about luxe fabrics and pay attention to tailoring. The fit of the jeans, the mix of colours and prints, shapely blazers (must-have), a style of pants for every occasion, the list goes on.. And if you find yourself stopping to shed a tear over the salmon, sorbet stunner of a pants suit, I'm right there with you honey. This mix of separates is what each wardrobe should aspire to, modern and wearable with the class to become lasting staples. Camilla and Marc has me feeling super refreshed and quite frankly - giddy. Hard to do when I drown in my own design process day to day and am often left less than enthusiastic. So my dolls, I apologise in advance as you scroll down to realise you'll never view your wardrobe in the same manner again. I know mine can now never be complete until I can somehow emulate the 'effortless-chic' that is this brand.

Stay fabulous fashionistas,

xoxo

Melissa Jane

Sometimes A Little 'Wrong' Can Be Ever So Right

I've said before that the only rule I follow in fashion is that there are no rules. I say this because I'd hate to limit where one can go with an outfit when there are no boundaries. Putting up a wall of rules only restricts the wearer, and who's having a good time then? I do understand that not everyone has an eye for fashion or can be inventive and display courage with their style, and so for those, a set of rules or a 'style-guide' is sometimes necessary.

Television shows such as 'What not to wear', and 'How do I look?', display how individuals stuck in a style rut can be transformed by following the hosts along a set out path plagued by strict rules about shape, colour and pattern. Yes, this formula works, but let me make you aware of how much it pains me to watch! There is a difference between 'dressing yourself well' and following fashion. The latter is where I live. It's not to say you should only wear trends or designer labels, no. It's having a love for fashion so consuming that you can't bare to ignore. It's letting an outfit wear you, not caring about the size of your ass in certain cut of pants, dealing with the sagging fabric between your thighs from a dropped-crotch pair of boyfriend jeans because you damn well love them and you will show them off! Who cares what it does to your body, or if colours match or if it makes sense for the season? Surrender yourself, wear fashion. This is a very opinionated post, I know, but I'm tired of people turning up their noses at the real game changers, the real trend setters, and slouching comfortably into their 'lack-of-style' lives. I know it'll never catch on for everyone and I may be banging my head on a wall, but it's the same as anyone with a burning passion - you just can't understand why everyone doesn't feel the same?!

I found my fix of fashionistas, ignoring the 'rules' and surrendering to being fabulous in fashion..

Did this outfit need a pair of green socks ruched in a boot to complete it? No. It would have looked perfectly fab without them. With them though, it becomes edgy and 'cool' and worthy of mentioning.

An over-sized sweater over an over-sized shirt with a barely there 'something-or-other' and open-toed shoes. So wrong in the rule book.. But so right I wanna replicate it!

I never saw this coming.. A tied shirt at the waist. Normally I'd say, unless you're jogging or have your hands full and simply can't carry your extra clothing - chuck it. Here though, it's the hero to this otherwise simple ensemble. I love, love, love! I'm totally making it my new trend. Man, I love a surprise..

A cropped top (bra-less), matched with wide-stripe pants, Tommys, (vomit) and yellow bandanna-wrapped hair. Reading the words it totally reads like a fashion no-no. Looking at it however, I'm the last to question how 'cute' this outfit plays out. 

I feel like this post needs caution tape tied across it to prevent fashion murder by the inexperienced who might just try this at home. But what the hell, it's out there now and if anyone does create a magnificent fashion fail and come off looking a little like a clown, it's totally fine. We could all use a laugh now and then..

Stay fabulous fashionistas!

xoxo

Melissa Jane



Zoe And The Super Model

On Monday the Annual Met Gala was held. An event often attracting celebs to take some fashion risks. I've checked out all the pics and have died over so many of the looks on the carpet. Rather than analysing them all, two looks, stood out for me, Stylist

Rachel Zoe and super model, Karolina Kurkova.

Normally I die over anything Rachel Zoe does. She styled Karolina for the event in a gown of her own design and they walked the carpet together. Clearly Karolina looks totally amaze - it's actually a little sickening. I might have had to wipe the drool off my chin, I'll be honest..

Never mind that body, but the beauty of this gown! The turban, the multiple rings on her hand, I'm in love with it all! I'm going to a wedding this weekend, so I've got bridal on the brain, and even thought how stunning this would be for a Winter wedding gown, too fab!

Anyway, back to super-skinny Zoe. She also wore her own design, crazy though how these two ensembles came from the same place. Rachel looks shapeless and drowning in fringe, has 'mom' hair and statement neck pieces are very now, but what the hell is going on with hers?

So I got to thinking and figured out my thoughts on this..

What separates the two and what makes BOTH these looks fabulous is this. Zoe wears fashion for 'fashion's sake' while KK shows off what most do. Use it to highlight your best features, be sexy and in style, or even dress for men. In my opinion a real fashionista or style icon is someone who can separate themselves, (in body) from the clothing. Wearing the garment for reasons such as a feeling or an emotion it creates, a 'look' you're trying to achieve rather than something that's just pleasing to the eye. Zoe said about her outfit that she just loves fringe and it made her want to dance. What did Karolina's make her want to do? I don't know, but judging from the photos - pout and do a sexy, twisty back pose??

So that was just me drawing my own assumptions and forming my own opinion, but really I've just used these ladies to point out something I feel so passionately about. And that is as I said, wearing fashion for fashion's sake. I do it all the time. I was asked by my brother once why I was wearing a 'nappy' and why I'd want it to be visible. He was referring to the peach coloured bodysuit I was wearing under a sheer chiffon skirt. It was a trend, still is. Does it work going out in a small town, with small minded people? No. Did I wear it anyway? Yes. Countless times I've seen pics of myself after parties and events and asked myself why I wore what I did. Over sized shoulder pads, clashing prints and seriously 'off' accessorising. Fashion is for the moment, for what it can inspire you to do or pretend to become. I'll never completely regret any of my choices, they are what they are - for fashion's sake. So I put a challenge out there. Have more fun, take more risks. Karolina definitely takes best dressed while Rachel fades into the blur of strange choices. Who in my opinion inspires me to fall in love with fashion? Miss Zoe for sure. She sends the best message of all. Wearing what you want because YOU like it is what dressing is really about. It means we don't have to be so conscious of what best suits our bodies or what is directly on trend, ignore a 'wrong' choice or an ill-fitting memory. We can allow fashion to truly make us happy, and happiness is..

Stay fabulous fashionistas,

xoxo

Melissa Jane 

Dear Future Husband..

Today I've strayed from the usual feminine fair I'm most drawn to write about, and have instead compiled some super exciting men's street style pics from cities the world over. None, I might add were found to be from South Africa. Clearly the reason I'm still single! So enjoy the eye-candy and forward on to your men sisters..

Fur isn't just for the ladies this Winter..

This one's kinda out there. But hey, the confidence for a man and the style it takes to pull this off definitely ticks my 'yes' box.

The glasses, the scarf, the tweed, he's just plain cute, delish..

Paisley and floral print jacket, denim shirt tied around waist - serving absolutely no purpose.. This guy dresses for fashion, love it!

Growing up as a teenager, we'd often fantasize, as girls do, about the men we'd like to marry. Mine was always a business man in the corporate world - who doesn't love a man in a suit? Put a fashionable twist on it as above with a skinny pant and a break in the colour with a tan shoe..

The mix of colours here screams style.. This you just can't teach..

I am loving these boots! I'd wear them.. I need to find this one, we could totally share scarves and shoes!

I do love a man with a bun! (to many of my girlfriends disgust) Tick in the 'yes' box to the length on the shorts as well.

I had to throw in at least one artsy look. Tribal prints are another trend for both guys and gals this season. I'm also absolutely tickled about the jelly shoes!

This look says, 'I don't care about clothing.. Look how old my shoes are, and check how high my pants ride.' He ain't fooling me, he knows exactly how to work vintage/retro 'for him'. Fab hair cut too..

Subtle details like rolling the sleeves of the shirt over the jacket, a two-tone loafer, the cropped pant and pocket square make for a fantastic laid back look.

To this guy I'm simply saying.. 'Hello Mr...'

I'm feeling dark brooding musician here. How all black can look all beautiful.

Bravo! I'm dying over this one.. Love love love..

I could say his vest is super trendy, that the fur is a bold statement.. However the only statement coming to mind is 'yummy!'

If we could shave off the beard this would be perfection. Layering to love, and the long hair reminds me of Jon Bon Jovi from the 80's.. My kinda man..

Love the hair, love denim on denim and looove a peek-a-boo ankle.

That was fun. Even though most won't see what I see and might take most of these looks for a hot mess, I see a mission to change how men view fashion.. Especially where I'm from, many don't think it exists or applies to them. Will definitely have to go on the 'to-do list'.

And dear future husband, be warned.. Should you not come as superbly packaged as these examples above, like it or not, you eventually will be!

All photos featured are from Fashionbeans.com where you'll find the associated photographers.



xoxo

Melissa Jane