STREET STYLE: FASHION CONSULTOR GAONE MOTHIBI

 

 The other half of the ever-so-stylish GaTsh Fros caught my eye yesterday with her vintage style inspired look. Very few girls can pull off a mens shirt neatly tucked into their jeans like Gaone Mothibi. Peep close ups to check out how paying attention to detail can amplify your wardrobe.

 

STREET STYLE: TV PRESENTER BONOLO MAGOWE

Pure oxygen! That's what I thought when I saw Bonolo. In a slick blazer that makes her look chic, it's good to see simple done well.

THE STREETS ARE MY RUNWAY: FEATURING KEABOKA MOAMOGWE

In a city where the majority of men don't consider being fashionable as something important, it's rare to find fashion loving guys with fresh, head-turning style and swagger. Don't be fooled; this isn't the overused swagger definition that's given to ill-deserving guys. This is one of the times when fashion, style, culture, and of course a bit of swag/ger really mean something.

Over the past year of knowing Keaboka Moamogwe, I can say without any reservations that he is as real and genuine as they come. With effortless style and swagger, he definitely uses the streets as his runway to express himself and tell the world his story! Take a peep at his lookbook below....

Day 1

Inspired by the sailor look on a summer day, Keaboka stays cool with the use of suspenders to create an element of maturity.

What he wore:

Sailor hat - Street vendor

Striped t-shirt - Mr. Price

Jeans - D.I-Y

Anchor neckpiece - Mr. Price

Day 2

We all know that the perfect in-between winter and summer clothing article is a cardigan and when mixed with formal pieces results in a smart, well put together look. Keaboka's travel bag adds a little bit of youthfulness to wrap up his look.

What he wore:

Cardigan - Markham

Checkered shorts - Markham

Boat shoes - Markham

Travel bag - From his dad

Vintage belt- From his mum

Day 3

Mid-week is always the most boring and so simple is the way forward. Keaboka amplifies his casual look with a graphic print tee and accessories. Laid back, cool and without a care is what this look is all about.

What he wore:

Mona-Lisa t-shirt - Jay Jays

Grey primsoles - Mr. Price

Shorts - Jet

Accessories - Some bought, stolen, and exchanged

Day 4

Preppy meets urban youth. We know temperatures rise during the day and a way to work around a smart-casual look it to wear shorts instead of the banal long pants. Not only does this keep you cool, but also shows a fun side to smart-casual pieces.

What he wore:

Blue shirt - Mr. Price

Suspenders - Markham

Black pants - Jet

Wayfarers - Street vendors

Day 5

What he calls his 'money' pants, Keaboka dresses up a bit knowing that it's Friday and night time will definitely be buzzing. The Do-It-Yourself tie is the highlight of the look, as every fashion lover should be able to create their own pieces from time to time.

What he wore:

'Money' pants - Mr. Price

Black shirt - Woolworthds

Cardigan - Markham

Adidas shoes - Studio 88

Polka dot tie - D.I.Y

Thank you for taking a look.

Remember get to inspired and step out looking your best! First impressions are lasting impressions!

An interview with Keaboka will follow soon.

STREET STYLE: KWANX MODISANE

When prints collide it's always a clash and mash up of the patterns and prints. Kwanx mixes it up with a variety of prints and still holds it down without being overwhelmed.

THE STREETS ARE MY RUNWAY: HOK SPEAKS TO THUTO SEANE

Thuto Seane got spotlighted for her amazing fashion taste and style on HOK on The Streets Are My Runway section, which covers fashionistas that take pride in personal style and self-presentation. Above is a preview of her lookbook but you can click here to see the entire post.

The 20-year-old lover of life and fashion not only knows everything about fashion, but plans on taking it to the top with hopes of creating a fashion line. Already having helped style and dress models at Botswana Fashion Week 2011, we'll be seeing more of her soon. A quick fun fact about her is her cool personality that compliments her style, which you'll see from the interview below.

Hi Thuto. Could you tell us who is Thuto Seane?
Thuto is a 20-year-old student, daughter, friend, fashion lover, aspiring stylist, food lover, music lover, and lover of life. That’s me in a nut shell .

When did you establish your personal style?
In high school.

How has your style changed?
I now know what I like, I know what I look good in. I try buy stuff that I'm comfortable in, and not stuff that I see people in, that doesn’t necessarily look good on me.

How would you describe your style?
I'm a vintage girl. I like vintage clothes and African print clothes.

What are your sources of inspiration?
People around me. If I see somebody wearing something I like, could be a random person, could be somebody on TV, that’s where I get my inspiration.

Who are your style icons?
I like Thandiswa Mazwai, Zolani Mahola from Freshlyground and Solange.

What is your favorite personal item (non-clothing/accessories)?
My laptop and my phone.

What is your favorite clothing article or accessory?
I have a small brown vintage bag that I got from my aunt. I love it.

At which establishments would you consider yourself a regular?
I shop at Mr. Price. I shop at the flea market. I shop everywhere ! So I can't exactly say I'm a regular anywhere.

What will you be doing ten years from now?
I'm going to be a lawyer, hopefully a stylist too. And I'm hoping to have my own fashion line. Being a lawyer and being a fashion whatever – that’s what I'm about.

What is your current obsession?
I'm big on leapard print, African print designs and vintage stuff.

Currently inspired by?
The ankara look.

Currently annoyed with?
Girls who wear leggings as pants. That just puts me off! 

Any last words?
Doing this (The Streets Are My Runway) was so much fun! Thank you for the opportunity. See you soon….

Twitter: @tutsy_s

STYLE UP: T-SHIRT LABELS WORN BEST (FOR MEN)

This post continues on the ways to wear a local t-shirt label. Above is an example for the guys. Simply swap the plain white tee for the brand you want to go with, for example Dilo Dilo, On'Em, Gabs Gwap Getter, I Run Gabs City, etc and BOOM you have a perfect look! 

Tip: Unbutton the cardigan. 

STYLE UP: T-SHIRT LABELS WORN BEST

If like me, you live in a city that is saturated with t-shirt brands, I'm sure you're always looking for non-conventional ways to wear those tees. Above is an example for the ladies. Simply swap the plain white tee for the brand you want to go with, for example Dilo Dilo, On'Em, Gabs Gwap Getter, I Run Gabs City, etc and BOOM you have a perfect look. You can now forget about those skinny jeans.

STYLE: WOOLWORTHS UPGRADED

In my own mind, I've always assumed Woolworths catered for older, more mature people, with little offered for the youth until I recently stepped into one of their stores in Botswana. To my surprise I found a couple of interesting pieces and I knew I had to do a post.

Over the years, Woolworths brand has grown and remained afloat in the tough industry of fashion. Recently they proved why they are still in the game giving their Re: Jeans brand an upgrade of sorts. The large retailer has imperatively afforded the average man clothes not only he can afford, but that he finds fashionable. In general women are sorted, we already know this, but men have not had these basics made available to them by local retailers, with the fit always wrong or the fabrication poor. Now Woolworths with their already successful Studio W collection is focusing on three important factors in menswear: fit, fabric and cut.

“Studio.W has been a remarkable success since its launch three years ago,” says Woolworths Group Director of Marketing, Charmaine Huet. “Our goal is to continue building on that success and establishing Studio.W as the brand for simple, modern styles that are easy to put together and offer the excellent value our customers expect to find at Woolworths.”

Woolworths is definitely a store to check out in my books.

THE COMEUP: FEATURING BRYMO

BrymO is a Nigerian rapper, composer, singer and songwriter that blew up last year when he was featured on Ice Prince's hit "Oleku". After writing his first song at the age of 14, he persued his interest in music. With hopes of breaking into the industy, he formed a band with his friends called Aliens, but due to little success he disbanded the group to become a solo artist.

In 2010 he signed to Chocolate City which houses fellow musicians Jesse Jagz and Ice Prince. With huge talent and a unique voice, BrymO has been featured by various artists, and is now dubbed Nigeria's hook master, turning every song into a hit. Now that he's stepping out on his own, we'll finally get to hear what this crooner can cook up on his upcoming album "Son of a Kapenta" which drops next year. Of course there is no denying that BrymO has talent, and there is no doubt he'll rise to the top! HOK salutes him!

Download: BrymO - Ara [FIRST SINGLE]

Download: Ice Prince ft. BrymO - Oleku

Download: Oyinkansola ft. BrymO - Love Wan Tintin

Download: Playbuoy ft BrymO - Playboy

STYLE LESSON 101: HISTORY TENDS TO REPEAT ITSELF

They say history tends to repeat itself, and without a doubt, that law applies to fashion!

During the period 1945 - 1960 after the war year, fashion got its resurgance. Innovations in textile technology following the war resulted in new synthetic fabrics and easy-care fabric finishes that fitted the suburban lifestyle of the 1950s with its emphasis on casual sportswear for both men and women. For the first time, teenagers became a force in fashion. 

The return of fashion also saw evolution of fashion change which was in need of a long overdue change of direction. Television joined fashion magazines and movies in disseminating clothing styles and always being up to date with the latest trends.

Fast-forward to today, fashion of the 2010s has so far seen the mash-up styles of the previous decade, that slowly but surely creeps into our wardrobes. Clothing is worn in a more unified style, with vintage clothing carefully coordinated with similar modern garments, rather than mismatching styles from many decades. 

And so when we talk about fashion making a comeback, we see that kids have found direction in skinny jeans and studded belts, wifebeaters, plain hoodies, vans, and tapered jeans. Kids usually wear converse all-star shoes, vintage tees, plain tees with contrasting edging, checked shirts, denim jeans. Many cultures combine cultural, religion and other aspects into their outfits, sourcing out boots, brass gears, pocket watches, leather, silver or brass jewelery, and darker colors like brown, grey and black. Vintage clothing, especially checked shirts and homemade jewelery, remain popular among girls and boys alike. Globally the youth of today are moving away from the hip-hop influenced fashions of the early 2000s and are beginning to dress in a more classic 1940s Ivy League style,with sweaters, boat shoes, Oxford shirts, stripy polo shirts, hats like the fedora, and khaki or pastel colored Vineyard Vines slacks and chinos.

Overall the 2010s has many fashion elements from the period 1945-1991. and so it goes to show that history does repeat itself! My advice; Go out and get inspired by that time period. Look into you parents or grandparents wardrobes for the best pieces and stay in time, with the times of fashion!

 

 

STREET STYLE: MODEL KWAME ACHEAMPONG

Vintage seems to be the hottest trend on the streets and Kwame joins in on it. I like how he toned down his colourful vintage shirt with a simple cardigan, jeans and all-stars. Very smart!!! And check out his hairstyle as well...

EVENT: BOTSWANA FASHION WEEK 2011 STYLE BITS

Last week saw Botswana host its first ever Fashion Week in the capital city, Gaborone. With designers such a Black Trash, Theo Rags, Teez, Delayna, and many more showcasing their garments to the public, fashion lovers came out to witness the event. HOK was there on the final day and so we bring you the 'style bits' of the attendees and the exhibition that took place before the show, for your visual delights. 

Look out for pictures straight from the runway and more - coming soon....