The Wanderer Returns

It's been an interesting couple of weeks that have seen me check out of La La Land, admit that I can't take any more wardrobe planning jobs and stalk clients for payment before flying out for a mini Eat Drink Reflect trip. While others do the Eat Pray Love thing, I prefer to eat whatever my heart desires, drink whatever seems like a good idea no matter the cost or time of day and reflect in my sacred spots in cities that I love. I'd been feeling a little burnt out and all roads led to Paris and London with a side trip to Frankfurt for the annual Frankfurt Book Fair with my father.

Days before my I flew out, I still didn't have a solid plan about where I was going to stay in Paris or what I was really going to do there. All I knew was that I didn't want to see that same monuments I'd seen on previous trips. I didn't want go to The Louvre and get elbowed by some masterpiece freak first thing in the morning. I didn't want to ask an armed guard to take my photo at The Eiffel Tower before standing in a queue for a crepe. I didn't want to hear whiny Orange County accents over lunch at a mediocre bistro some Lonely Planet contributor had highly recommended. I didn't know what I was going to do but had a very clear idea of what I was not willing to do. Luckily, everything fell into place just hours before my departure. The Apartment Gods had smiled upon me and an apartment I'd enquired about would be available and conveniently located close to a number of Paris Fashion Week venues. I was going to catch five days of Fashion Week! I'd left the schmoozing for show invites and applying for blogger accreditation a little late but knew I would get in. My Ancestors would 'come through' as always and I'd be right there metres away from the fashion heavyweights repping for my country.

I flew Emirates and couldn't have asked for a smoother Dubai to Paris connection and better in-flight sounds (DJ Edu's African Pop Mix). Yes one of Africa's brightest entertainment stars has a podcast on Emirates and I'm so proud. If only he knew that his mix had me getting off that flight ready to Azonto through French immigration with my beat face and super swollen ankles.

I hit my first Paris Fashion Week show venue looking like death but feeling like I was the next Nyasha Matonhodze. I didn't have an invite but I am my mother's daughter and talked my way in flashing my Zimbabwean passport charming the 'little people' who the 'big people' don't even acknowledge at events like this. These 'little people', security staff from mainly West Africa, were my invites into each and every show. I'd arrive super early introduce myself then knick off and come back confident I was going in. I'd be dressed Anna Dello Russo-ready not knowing were I'd be sitting or sometimes standing but trust that my Ancestors would talk to my contact's ancestors and it'd be fine. It always was.

Yes I am a...

Friends and followers I learnt more about fashion that week than I'd learnt in the last six months. I learnt more about proportions and fit than I'd learnt in my whole working life. I wriggled my way into shows and hurried out of them knowing that I'd only a small window to spot 'real women' who had mastered what worked for their body shape and truly owned their style. Show attendees would be dressed to the nines but were hardly real with their gaunt faces, over-the-top garments and cult status bags. Determined to see 'real women', I travelled to Belleville where I found my subjects. This neighbourhood is where I found my muses.

I ate. I drank and drank well in Paris but the deep reflection was really done in London Town which has to be my favourite city in the whole wide world (when I've got money). This city is home to a number of retailers that have always thrived on the transient consumer and I was really curious to see what changes, if any, these retailers had made since I was last there. I had retail outlets to stalk, sales assistants to probe and products to touch before meeting up with friends and guzzling martinis. But before all of that - I had a barbershop in Brixton to swing by, nails to sort out and a chapter of my life to close. 

With the hair did, nails did and closing the chapter did, I was back in Mogul Mbama mode scanning passers by and thinking of the list of retailers I needed to get through. On the train from Paris, I'd noted down which stores I had to check out and why. Selfridges was first on the list followed by Browns, Joseph, Liberty, COS, Topshop, River Island, Primark and New Look amongst others. I didn't expect to check out every single retailer and suss out every product category so focused on womenswear. If only you knew how many times I'd get side tracked and find myself in a fitting room putting looks together and playing The Currency Conversion Game. A game that I could never win. 

However, what I did win was tea with Caroline Burstein, founder of Molton Brown and Creative Director of Browns, who I met at the Alexander McQueen show venue in Paris. I was a little overwhelmed with the photographers, the fashionistas I'd only ever seen in print and the crowds anxiously waiting for Kanye who'd been rumoured to be attending the show. I just had to sit down so I plonked myself on some steps away from the action but close enough to see show attendees walk in. Out of nowhere Caroline just plonked herself right next to me and introduced herself. I already knew who she was but it was hardly the time to be fashion-influencer-struck so talked to her like she was someone I'd chat to waiting for a tram. When it was time to go in, I confessed that I didn't have an invite and had to wait for my contact to come out and rescue me. She'd have to go ahead. Sweet Caroline started looking around hoping she'd spot someone who had a spare and I was really touched. She thanked me for the chat, wished me luck getting in, handed me her card and asked me to call her when I was in London. I could hardly breath and put her card in the safest place I know, my bra. There was no way I was losing this card. No way. 

Tea With Caroline

I called
She answered
I squealed
She laughed
She checked her diary
I didn't have one to check
She suggested a time
I cancelled a threading appointment 
I walked into Browns to 'pick her up'
Her staff were perplexed
I was too
I wanted to Azonto
I wanted to Ndombolo
I wanted to say "Don't worry kids. She's coming back."
We walked out of the door
Off we went.

I usually don't drink tea
I did that day
It was great
She was great
She is great
She is an amazing person
I've asked the Ancestors to watch over her
I didn't even have to 
They've been watching over her since our meeting
I have a new friend
And her name is Caroline
I need to work really hard
I need to save
To show her MY London
Brixton here we come!

xxx

Pssssssssst ----> Guess who's back

The Art Gallerist And Her Culottes

Yesterday, I woke up earlier than usual to make a start on a boxful of the latest international magazines and journals. I'm doing a wardrobe essentials plan for a fashion savvy someone who claims she needs help but who I think isn't quite ready for it. There's nothing worse that having a client-come-friend who is denial of their true size and who thinks what size 0 so-and-so of such-and-such publication says is gospel. If you only knew how many times I say "Darling that's not going to work." in one session and how bizarre it is dealing with someone who is so confident terms like age-inappropriate, muffin top and camel-toe simply aren't part of her vocabulary. As frustrating as it may be, it's wonderful to be around a woman who is able to laugh at herself, have fun with fashion and who 'shuts it down' when she walks in any room with her energy.  

As I was skimming through one magazine, I came across an article about specific clothing items readers should get rid of or retire until they supposedly come back into fashion, if at all. Culottes were one of the items that were said to be totally out of fashion and should be dropped off at the nearest thrift shop while palazzo pants were still fashionable but only if they're printed. I thought to myself "Since when did fashion have all these ridiculous rules?" and pulled out navy culottes I scored for $20. No magazine so-and-so with a mug shot looking photo was going to tell me that my culottes were bound for my local Salvation Army Store. My culottes and I had work to go to. 

I decided to team them up with a basic yellow singlet for a pop of colour, a linen bell sleeved jacket I've always struggled to pull off and a pair of heels to elongate my body. To complete my Contemporary Art Gallerist Look, I chose to wear Tahitian pearl studs, necklaces made from recycled magazine paper from the Oxfam shop and a simple tote. 

Top - ZARA

Jacket - Chloe

Pants - DKNY

Bag - Celine

Shoes - Gianvito Rossi

Jewellery - Hikari pearls + Oxfam necklaces + 

BVLGARI watch + ring 

 xxx

Adios Spring Fashion Week!

It was a rather tame but still enjoyable Melbourne Spring Fashion Week this year. I carefully chose which events I would attend after years of going to nearly everything and then being exhausted for days from all the talking and schmoozing. I remember going to my first runway show and sitting front row purely by default. I remember exactly what I wore, how I sat with perfect poise and that moment where I felt like I was repping for my country and couldn't afford to zone out during the show. I remember several photographers coming up to me and asking who I was and the disappointment in their faces when I didn't have an Anna Wintour worthy answer. I'd shaved my head for that fresh-to-death factor, had perfectly manicured nails and dressed immaculately just in case I bumped into Kirstie Clements, former Vogue Australia Editor-In-Chief. I thought it was enough. Clearly, it wasn't. Years later, I still shave my head before a fashion week event so my baldie looks fresh-to-death, still have perfectly manicured nails but dress purely for me. The odd photographer comes up to me and when asked who I am, my answer is simple "I am Elliot and Eve's daughter and Nigel's sister."

Thought I'd share two looks from Christine, Melbourne's answer to Browns in London, that saw me ignore what my accountant said and pop into the boutique the very next day after the show. I do enjoy shows with what I call razzle-dazzle factor that leave Fashion Week attendees gasping but I love seeing models in wearable clothing. Christine delivered just that - highly wearable edgy garments with movement. I was sold the moment the third model walked out.

Etro (Christine)

Swash London (Christine)

If only you knew how I agonised over what to wear to the various fashion-related exhibitions, seminars and shows but when push came to shove wore whatever jumped out at me in my wardrobe. Gone are the days where I'd have my outfits planned days, if not weeks in advance, garments steamed to perfection and accessories laid out hours before an event. If it was an evening show I'd take the afternoon off to tidy whatever eyebrows I had left, go to my nail place for a quick colour change and nap before the festivities. There was no way I was going to turn up looking haggard. How things change.

Thought I'd share a few not-so-serious photos of myself and my blogger sister Miranda that bypassed my inspiration board and went straight to the fridge door. Thought I'd also share what I wore to an Australian retailer's show that has me looking at the brand in a new light. 

Top - Paul Smith

Jeans - Dejour

Shoes - Pierre Hardy

Clutch - Chloe

Jewellery - Georg Jensen watch + 

Sportsgirl cuff + EA Drew ring + 

BLVGARI earrings + ring

With Miranda of Mirandas Inside Scoop and Rachel of Estelle La Mode

Rolling solo to Sportscraft Runway 

Cardigan - Sonia Rykiel

Top - ZARA

Skirt - Camilla Staerk

Shoes - Olivia Morris

Bag - Hermes

Sunglasses - House of Harlow

Jewellery - Anton Heunis earrings + 

Sportsgirl cuff + EA Drew ring + 

BVLGARI ring

 xxx

Wardrobe Essentials 101

At last Spring is here and to celebrate it's arrival, I spent my Sunday morning packing away knitwear and pulling out lighter-weight tops that I gave up on layering a couple of months ago. A number of fashionista friends are masters of layering different garments then teaming them up with bold accessories somehow making it work. I'd promised to swing by an acquaintance's birthday drinks before catching up with some Sydneysiders who are here for Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW) and thought I'd try my hand at playing The Layering Game. Two tops, one pair of skinny cobalt pants and an animal print turban later, I knew I looked like a Housewife Of Ghettoville and had to admit that my desired look wasn't working. I wasted no time in ironing a white shirt with a twist.

You see... every woman needs a classic white shirt in her wardrobe. Every woman needs another white shirt that's a little quirky for those off-duty days and casual date nights. Thought I'd share my tuxedo-inspired white shirt and the rest of my Sunday outfit with you.

Shirt - Paul Smith

Jeans - SABA

Shoes - Gianvito Rossi

Bag - YSL

Opticals - Alain Mikli

Jewellery - Sportsgirl cuff + earrings and bangles from 

Harare street vendors 

If there's one thing Carolina Herrera, a fashion icon, has taught me it's that a woman in a white shirt can do no wrong. It can be worn with anything however, confidence is key. Ladies get your day to day white shirt at Edgars, Truworths, Stuttafords, Country Road, ZARA, Massimo Dutti, Target, Gap, Banana Republic or whichever high-street retailer that you frequent. For those days you feel so good you just want to do The Butterfly or Beyonce's body roll in the street, put on a lippie that you love and simply pop your collar.

 xxx

PS - Please feel free to email me your white shirt enquiries at hararembama@gmail.com

Grown Woman Dress

What would I wear to Zimbabwe Fashion Week 2012 which kicks off today? I have a number of friends attending the event who've needed a little help on the fashion front so I've been on Planet What To Wear for what seems like weeks now. The super early morning chit chats and tweets got me thinking about what I would wear sitting front row thanks to good contacts.

I'm all for show-stopping outfits but there's a time and place for these. For Day 1 of Fashion Week, I'd keep it simple yet sophisticated and wear a Grown Woman Dress. 

"A Grown Woman Dress is a dress for a woman at a certain stage of her life that skims her curves but does not reveal her jewels. It has movement and can easily take her from day to night. It is not necessarily pricey but is guaranteed to turn the right heads." - Harare Mbama

Thought I'd share my Grown Woman Dress I actually wore yesterday with you. 

Dress - DVF

Bag - Chanel 

Shoes - Prada 

Sunglasses - Alain Mikli

Jewellery - BVLGARI

 

If only you knew just how much I wish I was home mingling with fashion enthusiasts avoiding the gaze of a couple of social commentator types I promised to call back many moons ago. If only I could explain why seeing South Africa's David Tlale, Terrence Chipembere, Yvonne Watadza and Rumbidzai Ngwarai amongst others showing at ZFW is so important to me. I yearn to be home talking face to face to a number of personalities I highly respect in the Twittersphere who keep many like me in The Diaspora abreast with developments in various industries. I'd give anything to be in Harare today. I'd give everything.

xxx

Gogogoyi!

Happy people so much has happened in the last few weeks. I haven't the faintest idea where to start. I'm still gainfully employed, still committed to my side-hustle, still taking photos of things that inspire me, still listening to the same reggae sounds and still playing Spot The Tightest Outfit as I wait for my morning coffee at my favourite cafe. What life changing things have happened? Mmmm... I've mastered strategic networking, set realistic Harare Mbama related goals and have fallen even more deeply in love with the things that matter most to me. Life is unbelievably good.

Today I'd planned to check out Unexpected Pleasures, a contemporary jewellery exhibition, at the National Gallery before an all important meeting so decided to wear a dress that has seen it all and heard it all. I thought I'd team it up with a belt from another dress and the only piece of jewellery that I'm emotionally attached to. The only one that I'm attached to [PAUSE] for now. 

I know it's been ages but I'm still here. 

Dress - Issey Miyake

Belt - Prada

Shoes - Prada

Basket - Vendor at HIFA 

Opticals - Chanel

Jewellery - Hikari pearl earrings + Maker's Mark necklace +

BVLGARI watch

 xxx

Jewellery Junkie

Tonight I'd planned to watch The Dark Knight Rises but the weather turned so I decided against braving the elements in the name of watching a mainstream movie. It's miserable outside but it's the perfect Sunday night to stay in with a loved one, wash down a home-cooked roast with a good bottle of red and snuggle on the couch watching the Olympics. 

Well there's no loved one, no home-cooked roast and certainly no good red in this apartment right now. Snuggles are hard to come by these days and I'm only interested in the Olympic track events *drool* so here I am eating popcorn for dinner, sipping on a dicy white and working on a new wardrobe for someone. I thought I'd take a break from the wardrobe plan and do a little post. It's been a while.

I have a new found love for costume jewellery after recently discovering Philippe Ferrandis, a French costume jewellery designer who has created accessories for luxury fashion houses including Chanel, Oscar de la Renta and Balmain amongst others. I've never been one to take a second look at high end costume jewellery until I tried on a number of pieces from his Spring/Summer 2012 Twiggy Collection. I thought I might share my favourite pieces and another great designer's creation which I wore on Friday. 

Friday 

I'd had a hell-ish week that saw me tip-toeing around my superiors, sticking Post-its of all the things I couldn't afford to forget to every imaginable surface, working back late and attempting to pacify a friend I've neglected with an apple tart. A fashion-related treat was definitely in order but first - lunch with my blogger family. This is what I wore.

Friday's look was another We're-Running-Late-Angie-So-Lets-Just-Pray-This-Works Outfit. I'd teamed the sweater dress with a pair of suede power pumps but knew it would rain so settled on boots. I do love statement earrings so wore my new favourite pair by one of Africa's children, South African-born Madrid-based Anton Heunis. 

 Trench  - Scanlan and Theodore

Dress - Paul Smith

Scarf - Beijing market

Hosiery - Target

Boots - Sergio Rossi

Bag - Louis Vuitton

Jewellery - Anton Heunis earrings + 

EA Drew ring + Swatch watch    

xxx