what figure?

It is not news that the world relates sexiness or ‘hotness’ to a body shape; and in most cases the hourglass figure leads the pack.  Think of Kim Kardashian or Scarlett Johansson.  South Africa is no different to this; there is a certain shape that is thought to be hot; this shape gets a double take, a whistle, and most possible a Zulu marriage proposal when it strolls down the street.  

First lets clarify the shapes that the world (or some professor) has classified women body shapes into. There are apparently 4 shapes: hourglass, pear, apple and banana.  Each resemble the literal noun meaning of each word.  Hourglass shaped women have their weight at the top and bottom, and a small midsection.  This means they have ample bust and bottom. Pear shaped (right way up) women have more weight at the bottom; and get smaller as we go to the top.  Apple shaped people have their weight spread almost evenly on bust, waist and bottom.  Banana shaped women have a boyish look; could be described as straight.  

My body shape gave my mother grey hairs in my teenage years because it was so different to hers.  My mother was boyish in her teen pictures; and now I believe an apple shape. I have a narrow waist, round bottom, and smaller top. My bottom (along with my thighs) appeared first outgrowing my entire body; to hide this mother bought me 1-size-too-big clothes; which only made me even bigger.  Her biggest concern was that I would get so much attention from men; and she was right and still is.

I will discuss the pear shape from a personal view as I choose to be this shape.  I knew there was something different about me in High school when my netball coach shouted at me for sticking my bum out while running.  The more I tried to explain to her that I wasn’t, the more she called me lazy.  By Grade10 I had gone from ‘Sara Bartman’ to ‘bumgie’ to whatever else names I do not want to remember.  All these experiences made me fearful of exposing my derriere; I did not and still do not appreciate the comments I get about it.  

It is true that we want what we don’t and at most times cannot have.  I have met a few ladies who think women with a big/large derriere are 'hott' and blessed as all South African men want a big bum.  I never know how to respond to this because from my experience most black South African men like big anything/everything; most white men like slim anything/everything; and then there are all the in-between men who challenge the majority.  My body shape taught me that I need more that just a body to be relevant; I need a personality, a purpose and substance.  I cannot and do not rely or ever use my body to achieve anything; except maybe fashion.

To all the ladies that think they are not sexy or hot; sexy is not entirely defined by your body shape.  It should come from somewhere else; whether it is your heart, brain, achievements, etc.  Look at the world, they call people like Alicia Keys, Beyonce Knowles and Kim Kardashian sexy but they cannot be on a fashion ramp.  The fashion industry’s sexy is a size 0! And all countries have their own type of sexy; so do all cultures.  In my family the rounder you are the prettier; loose weight and endure all the questioning stares.  God was not stupid in making us all different; and it makes life that much more exciting.  The trick is to know yourself; your body; your needs and most important how to show off your body well by not doing too much.  I have all shapes amongst my friends and family, and they are all sexy (not a lie!).

All pics via Google!

Oh to be African!

Yesterday I wanted to chop off my hair. Yes chop off.  I'd had braids for approximately 3 weeks (*embarrassed*) and I was tired of them.  I have always been the kind of girl that has the simplest hairstyle at all times. My mother kept my hair in plaits for my entire childhood; while my father was canvassing for a haircut everytime my hair grew a millimetre!  He said 'I want smart girls not beautiful girls'.

After Grade 12 I had my mind set on dreadlocks, and so did the rest of the world...or atleast South Africa.  I had my 1st set of dreadlocks for 2years; cut them because they started falling off as they were home made.  I then kept my second set of dreadlocks for another 2years; they were rich healthy and people envied my patience and perseverance.  Then one day I chopped them off in the kitchen with scissors.  It was time.  I was tired of them.  Dreadlocks are easy to carry but work to maintain; plus you run out of styles to do with them.

                                                     

Cutting my hair was like liberation from a long war.  I felt free and suddenly realised I could do anything absolutely anything with my head.  Oh my! I kept it short and red for a while; red is my favourite colour and short hair felt so great after a head full of locks.  During this time I also learned that I had features I didn't know I had on my face.  They had been hidden by my locks for all those years.  

For the past 2 years I have had numerous hairstyles; I cannot remember the exact number.  It is still a struggle to decide what I want to do with my hair when the time for change comes.  I mean there is so much to choose from.  I know I am not a fan of weaves; no not because I think its 'fake'.  I feel weaves are demanding; they are itchy and always in your face; plus I do not like combing hair.  If you have ever had your mother/father yank an afro comb through your ethnic hair...you understand why I hate combing.

So last night I got my sister to remove my latest braids. I had had enough.  I was going to cut my hair again...for the 3rd time in 2years.  After removing them I realised my hair had grown; and I changed my mind.  I washed it and blew it (with a dryer) and alas WOW!  My hair is thick and long; something I have always wanted; and if I keep growing it next year this time it will be double this size.

We are so lucky to be African; to have our ethnic hair that can be converted into just about anything; to have the ability to achieve any look to complete any outfit; to have an album of many faces of the same soul.  If you haven't a clue what to do...hey cover it up.

Ta,
Budgie

Suited Man Swag

In second year I will be introduced to the male figurine; the male basic blocks and eventually how to make men's clothes.  I am more than excited about this.  This is a field I have never felt comfortable treading into; and is looking forward to getting formal training in.

I have always appreciated men who put effort into their appearance.  Don't get me wrong, I am not saying they should compete with their female counterparts when it comes to personal care but all men should always look presentable... and if he smell good its a bonus. 

In my early youth I was in love with men who looked amazing in a good pair of jeans.  There is a certain way a pair of jeans sits on a man that just looks perfect; as though the jeans were made so he could find them.  No boys it is not the 'sagging' look that is frequenting most boys who are supposedly following 'hip hop' culture; nor is it the super tight skinny jeans.  They sit where they should, have the right amount of masculine detail and are always paired with a great top and always always great shoes.

Shoes...I love shoes; be it female or male.  I find myself shopping in men's shoe stores for no reason at all.  Just to appreciate the looks, the finish, the smell of footwear and the swag that any man carries with a pair of good shoes.  A friend of mine taught me that a man should have great shoes, a great belt, and preferably a good watch.

In my later youth days as I get nearer to my thirties I have come to appreciate 'The Suit'.  Hmmmmmmmm...there is nothing more delicious to see than a man in a well tailored suit.  I believe a man can be any shape or build; if he is in a well tailored suit he is automatically 'hot'.  This is the reason I am super excited about second year at fashion shcool; the goal is to make amazing well fitted suits for all the men in my life.  I have realised that most of them actually don't know how what a great suit is; they settle for sets that department stores offer them...yes there is a difference.

As much as the world demands women to be prettied up all the time; I believe men should join the club too.  Why must we look amazing and make them look good; how about we both make the effort and become a powerhouse.  No please don't pluck your eyebrows, don't wax, don't do botox or go under the knife...oooohh! There are still so many avenues to explore in men's fashion before going that extreme. So boys no more box pants (those straight looking things with the 'iron' line!), no square toe shoes, no badly maintained nails(toes too!), no bad hair, no bad smells, no dry skin (including your feet), and save us from super tight clothing! Lets rather go for 'swag' with little effort.

Ta,
Budgie

Pictures courtesy of Google!

shweshwe fabric shopping

Traditional gears have always been a must in every South African woman's wardrobe; be it your own tradition; your partners or just because you like it.  The common factor in all is COLOUR, or should I say BRIGHT COLOUR!  In all different cultures one pattern or type of fabric remains...Se SHWE SHWE.  I used to believe it belonged only to the Sothos but alas no we all have it in our gears.  Today you get it in almost all colours whereas before it was merely brown or navy(bleh!).  On my last trip shopping for a SHWESHWE fabric for a dear friend of mine; I had fun just looking at the colours: red, purple, yellow, brown, orange, green, blue, navy, and on and on they went! Each with a different pattern...not Sotho influenced but trend influenced.  The other lovely designer find is the textures are different; so you can make anything with SHWESHWE; from thin to thick.  And it is just cotton, so it breathes...aaaaaah.  On this trip too a lovely African woman (Dudu Mathabe) walked in in a full print dress with headscarf! The excitement was from my feet to my hairstrands! She went on to teach me how to do the headscarf as it is part of our culture, latest trend and my end of year range.  Her outfit was of WAXPRINT fabric... with north Africa prints. And they call it the dark continent?

the dream

People always say never let go of your dreams; no matter what.  The problem is some people never realise their dreams because it is a true challenge to achieve your dream. The word dream means a series of thoughts, images, or emotions occurring during sleep - which makes it sound like its unattainable wishes.  Things we see and really want but believe it is impossible in reality - when we are awake. 

I had to start seeing my dream as a message from God or someone who truly loves me and wants the best for/from me.  That led me to believe in it.  It is a challenging mission as there are so many obstacles in this world of ours; plus how many creative houses are there today; especially ones influenced by fashion.  But but but maybe God has a portion of the population that is waiting just for me and my services; yes with so many designers and aspiring designers somewhere somehow I can make it too.

Lindi and I met in tertiary, for the same reason. To do a commerce degree.  But deep down we both new we should be in an art class using our hands and letting the creativity flow.  We survived the edge, in between Economics, Marketing, Commercial Law, Business Accounting, Management and Tutorials we found time to make dresses.  Yes in my little student residential room on Stiemens street Braamfontein we ran an informal business that only functioned during the festive season.  We didn't care about class but getting out of the Edge; we didn't care about sleep but getting the dress done; and we missed out on all those things that student life represents...partying, jolling, all res picnic etc.

Just like model 1st born daughters we went on to graduate; and find fitting jobs.  For two years we pulled the new graduate look well; devoted to our jobs; taking in everything we saw, heard and experienced.  But but but the dream wouldn't go away.  And it will never go away. Today we are doing something about the dream.  And God has sent us so much support in the form of family, friends and mentors. Re ya leboga.

So friends I wrote this piece to tell you (probably reiterating what you have heard already) that you must NEVER give up on anything you want.  And lazy does not feed anyone; so also don't wait for it to come to you. Passion, prayer, patience, sacrifice, determination, strenuous work and stressful times are just some of the things you will need to make that dream(night) and reality(day).  Aluta Continua.

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christmas clothes

Christmas day is supposed to be the day Jesus Christ was born; on the 25th of December. As a black female I can tell you that most people I know actually don’t acknowledge this on this day; or the things they do not resemble the meaning of the day….kind of like Good Friday. My memories of Christmas Day include church, rice, 14 colors of salads, beef, chicken, cookies, custard and jelly, music and of course the new clothes. We grew up on a village; literally! Think dust roads, no electricity (for my early life), bushes, snakes, 1 bus everyday…yes that kind of village. Life was pure simplicity; we made do with what we had; watched TV between 6pm and 9pm; and believed the world ended at the last city we had visited (Nelspruit). My father was a young engineer and my mother a teacher turned clerk, so we had some money; especially in a place where expenses only consisted of groceries and clothes. My mother loved dressing us up for any reason; doing our hair (poor roots got pulled on the regular) and keeping us presentable at all times. My mothers taste in fashion was and still is smart; there is no other woman on earth who believes in a 2piece than my mother. All our Christmas clothes were 2 pieces; the same styles; in different colors! I always ended up with red, and my sister always green…how festive. My all time favourite Christmas outfit was a heavy linen 2 piece: a navy pleated skirt to my knees; a matching floral blouse, a straw hat with a matching bow, white socks, and tan kitten heel pumps. I looked just like the Queens daughter. I do not know what happened to that set; I wore it once and it was gone; have I mentioned that my mother is a ‘giving’ person? The worst outfit I recall was a red and black party dress with a striped fitted stretchy midsection; with white socks and black patent sandals. Why did I hate this outfit? The dress was 1 size too big (my mother doesn’t believe in tight clothes and I was chubby) and made of tafetta; the shoes were 1 size small…patent in December sun. To make it worse I had to wear those colourful kid shades only Pep stores had! I miss those days when children dressed up traditionally for Christmas. We made a fuss about the day; it was about family, food, and laughter…even though we didn’t invest on a Christmas tree. I wonder if this trend still exists today. Do children still get new clothes, do they compete with their neighbors on who got the best outfit, do the parents still keep the clothes a secret from 30November to 25December, and whatever happened to girls wearing socks with shoes?

Printd'Afrique

My first year in fashion school was more of a challenge than I expected.  I have what they call a wild skill.  I am able to draw and sew; just not according to the requirements of the fashion industry(lacking discipline).  This realisation came to me well after April; I was crushed to know that I had been drawing incorrectly for the longest time; plus there were little details to sewing I was not aware of.  I had to clear my brain; my pride and skills list for the newness I needed to know to better my talent.  I now know it is a work in progress and if you practise you can only get better.   

On the 26th November 2011 we had the end of year Fashion show at The Zone Rosebank Cinema 8.  The show allowed all full/part time students to showcase their creativity.  The brief for 1st years was 'Ready to Wear'.  I had absolutely nothing for this brief initially. It only started coming to me after a good 2weeks; and only 6 weeks to the show!  

I called my 3 pieces 'Print d'Afrique' because I am currently crazy about all prints; from florals to orientals to African.  The idea was to create items for a rural chic with a modern look.  And as most creatives will tell you; the initial idea evolves as time goes and the final product is something better that the first idea.  

The show was as a fashion show should be.  I was emotionally and mentally ready for it as I had done two before in my BCom studying days.  It was fast paced; colourful; hair artist; make up artists; models; divas; drama and  hot backstage.  And professional on stage.  I missed the entire show as I chose to be backstage, where the real show is. 

Dress#1:  A panelled short shift dress with a high round neck and pockets.  It was so difficult to find a model for this dress as it was loose but short; so the model had to be a bit curvaceous but not too tall.  The model who wore it WORKED it with the pin created pleats at the back for a better fit darling!

Dress#2:  Peacock tailed jacket with shorts.  I love this outfit.  Difficult pattern; easy to make and beautiful to look at.  It fit perfectly the first time the model wore it. It hugs the bust line; clinches the waist and flows graciously behind.  The shorts had to be altered as they did not fit the morning of the show;  needless to say they are super fitted!

Dress3#:  A full length dress with a leather-look figure belt; and I added a bow to add a playful touch to it.  This was the most difficult pattern to make because of the one shoulder; and the contouring I had to learn while doing!  Worn with flat shoes and brown accessories.

Congratulations to all the students; these pictures are just a sneak preview of the real creativity at the school.  The ranges went from casual to cocktail to corsetry to formal to lingerie!  The 3rd year students created amazing pieces which only motivated me to continue studying.  

Ta,

Budgielindie