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....

 

 

STREET STYLE: TEFO SENWELO

Creative, innovative and fashionable. Those are the words that define Tefo, who oozes oxygen with her ankara print pants and D.I.Y accessories. Her style is beyong chic!

THE COMEUP: FEATURING TGB-L!NXSTAR

Music is a universal language spoken by all, from Africa to Asia, Australia to America, and not forgetting Europe. It soothes the soul, makes you dance, makes you cry and makes you laugh, but one relation to music that we all would agree on are the words "One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain" by Bob Dylan.

THE COMEUP celebrates and exposes upcoming artists that are gunning for the throne in their choice of genre. Whether its hip-hop, R&B, jazz, house, pop, rock, etc. there is no denying that there are always artists on the rise who want to be seen and heard, telling their stories through their music. THE COMEUP gives a helping hand to those that need exposure and hopes that those talented artists garner the much needed attention of the public to help them become successful.  

Kicking off this section is one of Botswana's hottest up and coming rap artists who goes by the stage name TGB-Linxstar.

All it took for the 22-year-old was an introducing to hip-hop by his cousins/rappers Nomadic and Man-E, and L!nxstar naturally picked up the mic and started in this hip-hop game. During his varsity days in 2008 he recorded a song titled "A Time" with Wordplay, now of Octave Couplet, that got them on ETV's "ShizNiz" and Hype Magazine's "Hype Sessions" April 2009 mixtape.

Fast forward to 2011, L!nxstar was one of the talented emcees that made it to the HUB Music Series competition semi-finals, which featured some of the industries youngest and freshest. Recently he has shared the stage with Botswana's hip-hop heavyweights Scar and Zeus at the Final Showdown concert, Magosi and Juju Boy. Not forgetting that his first single "Not An Option" reached #1 on the Yarona FM Mascom Top 20.

He is currently working on a mixtape titled "What Lies @ Tha End Of A Rainbow" which is a predecessor of his debut album "Pot of Gold". With collaborations that include Young V, The Omega Man, Shiltz, Konkrete, Fisabouy and artists from TGB's own stable IBDub, it seems L!nxstar is serious about his craft! What I find dope about him is his modern flow and ease over a beat. Quirky verses and a couple of interesting lines, it's all very intriguing and makes you want to listen to what he has to say. HOK is expecting great things from him, and so here's to his success. Below you can download some of his songs. Enjoy!

Download: TGB-L!nxstar - Not An Option

Download: TGB-L!nxstar ft. Lissie Rob - Getting Closer

Download: TGB-L!nxstar - Coming Home 

EVENT: 'PLANET WOMEN' EXHIBITION

Alliance Française de Gaborone in partnership with Studio 54 held a photography competition exhibition last Friday that saw photographers capture through their lens, a “Planet Women.” The aim of this competition was to show images of women in/on the world. 

With photographers capturing women of various walks of life from women in entertainment to mothers and more, the competition helped many upcoming photographers get a platform to share their art with the public. Congratulations to the top 5 chosen.

 

   

HAUS OF KINGS had the chance to speak to one of the photographers, Thabo Makgato (pictured above) who received 4th place in the competition. His work was inspired by young women in media, and this is what he had to share with us on his love for photography and what its done for him. Saying that “life is beautiful, photographers capture the beautiful moments that already exist." Although he's only been doing photography for a year now, he has already done work for ONBOARD Magazine, The Weekend Post, and private clients that range from designers to modelling agencies. We at HOK salute him and wish him the very best with his endeavours!