Sweet Sunday

Sunday I went to a belated Africa Day lunch hosted by friends who I suspect just called it that to ensure every African they knew would accept the invitation and actually turn up on time. It was a rather interesting affair and I'm glad I went. 

After reflecting on last Thursday's chit chat about wearing African inspired prints or garments to African events with my fashion blogger family, I decided to keep my Sunday lunch look super simple pairing jeans, a racerback and heels with a leather jacket from Mupedzanhamo, Harare's equivalent of Accra's Kantamanto or Nairobi's Gikomba Market. I started going there in my last years of high school with a childhood friend before clothing there became somewhat pricey by second hand clothing standards. Fixated on finding something special, we'd spend an entire day there going through mountains of clothes instead of studying much to my mother's dismay. If I'd put half the effort I put into scouring for clothes into my studies I'd would've won a full scholarship to Oxford. 

I meant to go to Mupedzanhamo this last trip home but had so much much to do and when I did have a bit of free time, I couldn't be bothered braving the crowds and playing Spot The Pickpocket. Thought I might share my Mupedzanhamo treasure and Sunday's outfit with you. 

 Jacket - Mupedzanhamo Market 

Racerback - Target

Jeans - Adriano Goldschmied

Scarf - Shanghai market

Belt - Scanlan and Theodore

Shoes - Prada

Jewellery - Forever bracelet + vintage 

Chanel earrings +BVLGARI ring

   

xxx

Wish Raises The Roof

On Thursday, I attended a preview of Wish Clothing's Raise The Roof and Nowhere Else, winter ranges for that super savy fashionista on a budget. The preview was held at Hub Melbourne, a collaboration-friendly space where corporates, graphic designers and interior designer types converge. I'd read about these types of communal work spaces and after spending a couple of hours in this creative environment, highly recommend becoming a member of this community.

Much of the day was spent talking animal print, fabrics, fur and which pieces worked well with what with some of Melbourne's most talented bloggers. The Wish team, who have to be the most down-to-earth and lovable PR people I've ever met, really encouraged everyone to try on the different pieces and ask questions. My blogger family Estelle La Mode and Mirandas Inside Scoop, also attended so it was an afternoon full of endless chatter and laughter.  

  Esther (one half of Estelle La Mode), Miranda of Miranda's Inside Scoop, 

Rachel (the other Half of Estelle La Mode) and yours truly

I've got my eye on a pair of shoes I'm convinced will make stop traffic for years to come so I'm trying to be very financially disciplined at the moment. Fortunately and unfortunately, the preview came along, I tried on a number of pieces that caught my eye and now their images are up on the vision board. I never thought I'd consider purchasing anything fur but after the previewing bits and pieces of these winter ranges, I certainly am tempted to. My fur fashion adventure would have to start with the Vintry Fur Vest.

Vintry Fur Vest 

What also caught my eye?

Peep Toe necklace worn by Melbourne stylist Lana Wilkinson

I had to meet some ultra-conservatives that could change my life after the preview so wore a simple black dress, animal print pumps and earrings with a little 'pizazz'. I do love an inexpensive pair of earrings that don't look cheap and that work well for both day and night 

xxx

Cherry Legs

My mobile phone barely three weeks old has died and I'm really annoyed because I've lost all my contacts, photos and notes. They're gone! Mr Sony Xperia's death and then a roughish day meant a trip to Brunswick, an inner city neighbourhood yuppies have coined onto, for a kebab to perk up. Yes I heart kebabs but only from one establishment called Tiba's on Sydney Road. While others sulk, drink or shop their worries away, I almost always walk out niggling issues to this multicultural neighbourhood with a True Love magazine tucked under my arm for one. Only a lamb kebab with extra pickles and a small tub of tabouli for later could've cheered me up. Funny how my precious contacts, photos and style notes all became mush as I took my first bite. 

I'd planned to come straight home, dissect what Giovanna Battaglia, a demi fashion goddess, is wearing in all of Scott Schumann's shots on The Sartorialist and research new developments in the marketplace. Had planned to brush up on my product knowledge because while many of you think I know a lot about fashion, the truth is I know only a slither about the industry. There's always new designer. There's always a new retailer. There's always a slightly different cut and an increased use of new fabrics. What's comforting is that even the greatest creative forces never stop learning. 

Thought I'd unload some of my Tuesday drama, confess that I heart kebabs and share what I wore today.

 Coat - DVF

Top - Dotti

Skirt - ZARA

Scarf - Hermes

Bag - Louis Vuitton

Tights - Columbine 

Shoes - Yves Saint Laurent

Jewellery - Hikari Earrings + Swatch watch + 

Georg Jensen and BVLGARI rings

*Pssssst----> nail colour is OPI  Charged Up Cherry

I can't keep up with Melbourne's changing temperatures so I've decided that wearing lightweight coloured opaques might just be the way to go. Thought I'd wear them today with a basic top, yet another pleated skirt from ZARA, a coat I almost wrestled someone for in an underground sample sale and YSL booties I spent weeks hunting down. These booties had me calling stalking a Korean friend who I needed to call a store in Seoul for my size and staying up at odd hours waiting for retailers around the world to commence trading. I finally found the booties and only because of them, I know world time zones.

How about you? Have you ever had your eye on a particular item you moved heaven and earth to find?  Do share in the comments or on Twitter if you tweet!

xxx

Anyone For Pheasants?

It's been one of those weeks where so much has gone pear-shaped on so many levels and where I've found myself reciting Maya Angelou's Still I Rise for strength. This is my favourite part of the poem: 

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I riseI rise

I decided to catch up with friends for Friday drinks before strutting my stuff home to freshen up for dinner and a movie. I'd been dying to watch Delicacy, a French film starring Audrey Tautou and was determined to watch it tonight! Tonight in leather shorts and cramp inducing heels. The thing is - one wee wine later, I was in a department store sussing out Mary Katrantzou's Spring 2012 Ready-To-Wear Collection rethinking my grand plan. 

I didn't strut anything home. I didn't make it to dinner. I didn't wear the leather shorts or the heels. I did however, watch Delicacy and I highly recommend it to lovers of beautifully shot foreign films. 

This is what I wore today.

The pants were from Ralph Lauren's men's section and the minute I saw the pheasant embroidery, I wasted no time in trying them on. I'd been flirting with the idea of an androgynous look but had only gone as far as buying masculine-style loafers and brogues. Both Adewale and I love these pants dearly.

Trench - Scanlan and Theodore

Shirt - Uniqlo

Men's Pants - Ralph Lauren

Belt - Hermes

Shoes - Sergio Rossi

Jewellery - Kazuri earrings + EA Drew ring +

 BVLGARI watch

Remember to follow me on Twitter @HarareMbama where I share products and chic fashion finds. Have a great weekend!

 xxx

Meet Adewale

Feeling a tad bit overwhelmed with my personal shopping gig, writing a piece entitled "I Am Not My Louboutins" and the departure of a dear friend in early June. I find it very difficult to tell my closest ones, with the exception of my brother, how much they mean to me so its going to be hard saying goodbye. It's the end of long conversations and hours of people watching. There will be no more trips to ZARA to scan the new delivery, no one to play Spot The Tightest Outfit with me and no one to whinge about portion sizes at 'wanky' restaurants.
        

I'd hoped to spend some time with him on Sunday but Moo, being the social scene whore that he is, had other plans. Gutted, I did solo brunch at my spot and accepted an invitation to a late afternoon 'engagement'. This is what my alter ego, Adewale, wore on Sunday.

I've decided to experiment with new lip colours and thought I'd rock a new lippie and gloss from MAC. The lipstick is Up The Amp Amplified Creme Lipstick and the gloss is Narcissus Cremesheen Glass. Pop into a MAC store near you and try them along with any others. Do tell what great lippies you come across.

Jacket - Belstaff

Top - Ralph Lauren

Jeans - Levis

Shoes - Jil Sander

Newsboy cap - Ralph Lauren

Jewellery - EA Drew ring +

earrings from a Harare street vendor

Another hood pose dedicated to my parents who don't know that I also
look to them for fashion inspiration. One day soon I'll tell them about the 
blog and hopefully they'll understand their influence on my style and 
realise that they are in everything I see and do.

XXX

Viva FASHIONOPOLIS!

On Saturday I had the pleasure of attending Nuffnang Fashionopolis, Australia's first ever fashion blogger networking event. If it wasn't for Miranda of Miranda's Inside Scoop, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to attend the all day affair and mingle with movers and shakers of the fashion blog sphere and fresh blogger talent looking to develop their skill sets.

Fashionopolis, sponsored by Sunglass Hut Inner Circle and Reward Style, was much more than I'd expected after having attended fashion related seminars and star-studded events in past years. Never before did I feel such positivity in a room and like I was in the company of new friends. Felt like I amongst like-minded people who see the beauty all sorts of little things be it stitching or a finish and who take fashion risks day in day out often sacrificing 'normal jobs' for their passion. I'm so thankful to my fashion blogger friend Miranda for making sure I snapped up a ticket before the online deadline. I'm so thankful to the organisers and my fellow bloggers. I'm motivated beyond measure.

Thought I'd share some random images with you and what I wore to the event.

Miranda of Miranda's Inside Scoop and  Nuffnang's Dave Krupp

Reward Style President Amber Venz 

Estelle La Mode's sister duo

Little J Girl whose Givenchy Nightgale I've coveted for the longest time

Miu Miu sunglasses on my wishlist

A force to be reckoned with

Top - Country Road

Pants - Gorman

Shoes - Chanel

Jewellery - Forever New earrings + 

H&M bangles +Georg Jensen watch

+ EA Drew ring

xxx

Special thanks to:
TeamAFRICA's Miranda's Inside Scoop @SaKhino + Estelle La Mode @Estelle_La_Mode
Phoebe Montage @LadyMelbourne
NuffNang @nuffnangAU
Sunglass Hut @sunglasshut and their amazing team
Reward Style @rewardStyle
Fashion Torque @fashiontorque
Steve Madden @stevemaddenAus
1000 Pound Bend @1000POUNDBEND  
Domain Flowers @DomainFlowers
Patty Huntington @pattyhuntington
Sarah Gale @sarahgaleAUS
Amber Venz @VENZedits
David Krupp @davekrupp
The Wonderful Jenny Banister @jennybFT
Philip Boon @PhilipBoon
Kyra Pybus@PybusPR
All the bloggers who braved the weather and attended Fashionopolis