Blogger Spotlight : Nadja Seale

Hello Fmz family

I trust we are all having a productive start to the week. Or we are just happy. Which ever one :D.

The one thing that starting FMZ has allowed me to do is find fresh fashion faces and brands. To be honest the best thing about this is finding the start up independent brands and people who create simply because they want to. It's inspiring and it motivates me. Now if you don't know where to start and you are looking for something as specific as a blogger or fashionista from your country then LOOKBOOKNU is your place.  I was looking for fresh faces to spotlight when I found Nadja. What I loved about her is:

•  She was the top scorer for South Africa. This basically means she had the most fans and hypes.
•  I love love the whimsical feel to her photography and styling. 
• The fact that she loves vintage was an added bonus for me. 

Without further ado. Meet Nadja Seale.

Please introduce yourself.

My name is Nadja, it is Russian for “hope” and I like to consider myself as an entity with a fair amount of optimism, which might be a branch of hope. I am 28 years young and work as a make-up artist, stylist, ceramic artist, owner/seller of a vintage range called Vintage Vices and I can also put in there, chef. I grew up in a small town in South Africa called Witbank. Apparently where I stay now, it is pretty bad for your “image” to voice that fact, but I like [my] humble beginnings. I studied to become a chef because I like how it combines something that you do everyday (i.e. eating) with art. After that, I studied make-up and prosthetics and started working with a creative agency in South Africa that gave me the opportunity to work for magazines like Elle, Oprah, Fairlady and a few local ones

Please tell us about your blog?

My blog is a visual diary of my everyday feelings, emotions and events that means something to me. I try to combine spirituality with it in an honest manner. It covers basically all of my shortcomings and victories in life. Sometimes I like to talk about fashion but many times the depth of just the physical is a bit dismal

What does fashion mean to you?

In all honestly I don’t always know what fashion is. I look at things that are pretty to me and represents my personality. So I guess I would say fashion is a non-verbal way of communicating with the world and expressing own unique personality, as cliché as it might sound

How would you describe your style?

Earthy, maybe boho …then sometimes I wake up and like grunge..vintage ..I guess I mix it all up to my mood of the day

What inspired you to start blogging?

My everyday life and the fact that it stimulates you so much creatively. Psychosocially it is good to express yourself in written words. In my case it helps my brain to stop and think about my words.

What advice would you give to anyone who wants to start a blog?

Be diligent and do it for yourself. Don’t blog with an intention to copy another person do it with your creativity and personality

Do you have any fashion icons?

I really like Steven Tyler’s style. He is pretty bohemian for a guy and makes his clothing work for him. And then I have always loved Katherine Hepburn’s style. She is classic without looking too conservative.

Why should people follow your blog?

mmm… hard question… maybe because I go through daily situations that I write about that people could relate to.

Aside from your blog are you involved in other fashion related projects?

Yes I have a vintage/new clothing range called Vintage Vices and then I work as a freelance stylist and make-up artist for media 24 for various magazines.

 Well I certainly enjoyed getting to know Nadja. I can definitely see the Steve Taylor and Katherine Hepburn influences in her style and I love that she is such a creative soul.

Our aim with fashion maverickz is to give Southern African fashion a voice and to take pride in what we already possess as Southern Africans. I leave you with this today, Challenge yourself creatively. Yes we can't all be designers or bloggers but there are so many other things we can get involved in. Creativity is the future.

Love and Light

Tiwi.

Vim and Verve

Hello FMZ family

One of our aims with this blog is to give you not just interesting stories but information you can use. We want to introduce you to new events and local designers you may have been unaware of. We want to encourage our readers to shop locally and support local  brands and designers. 

Pop up sales are quickly becoming a popular way of shopping in and around Southern Africa. Today we will be looking at an independent brand Vim and Verve who operate through pop up sales.

Vim and Verve is an independent/vintage clothing brand based in Durban South Africa.  Vim and Verve operate through monthly pop up sales in Durban. 

We had a little Chat with the founder and owner of Vim and Verve. This is what she had to say:

Please introduce yourself?

My name is Tsipa Mokganya, Owner and fashion designer for Vim & Verve Collection. I’ve has been in the fashion industry since 2010, sourcing and modifying vintage wear for resale and also designing a retro inspired fashion line.

Tell us about your brand?

Vim & Verve Collection is a Retro/Vintage collection for young women with spirited style. We know women constantly want to make a statement, leave an impression and be authentic in how they present themselves. Vim & Verve will allow them to have timeless unique pieces to add to their collection. We are Durban based and operate through pop up stores at hot spot venues and the renowned I Heart Market.  Our presence at these venues will allow the brand to set off sophisticated and entertaining networking sessions with a fusion of fashion, food and friends. With only one of each vintage item, women are guaranteed to start setting their own trends, by adopting a personal identity. Our new fashion is a fusion of modern design with a touch of vintage. We use unique prints that separate us from the rest of our competitors in the fashion industry.

What makes your brand unique?

We are setting a social trend in Durban to allow women with spirited style an experience of great company, soothing sounds, refreshments and timeless vintage fashion collectibles set in the perfect location. We are all about the ‘triple f’ i.e. fashion-food-friends.

What inspired you to start your brand?

I’ve always loved clothes growing up. I used to go into my mothers and grandmothers closet and played dress up.  Growing up, I saw a gap in the market to bring back the old school style (vintage) but not shying away from the modern styles that inspired my more retro fashion line that I’m currently designing, we have a spring collection coming out soon. There was a sense of sophistication on the old classics that the modern trends were missing.

What advice would you give to anyone who wants to start his or her own brand?

Be unique and authentic. Don’t do what everyone is doing. People buy into trends/offerings that stand out from the norm. Don’t be afraid to take that risk.

Where can our readers buy your stuff?

We are at I Heart Market on every first Saturday of the month and situated under the infamous big tree. For more information about our events & updates on our fashion lines, like our page on http://www.facebook.com/vimandvervecollection

We hope you enjoyed our chat with Vim and Verve. Don't forget to follow their Facebook page to keep yourself updated on their events and products. If you are in Durban be sure to visit them at their pop up sales. Don't forget to mention Fashion Maverickz sent you there.

Have a lovely week.

The Team.

Blogger Spotlight : Leanne

Hello Lovelies

So In true SAFB spirit we bring you another fabulous blogger. Leanne from South Africa. We stumbled on her blog by mistake and haven't looked back since. This lady is chic, elegant, quirky and her blog just leaves you wanting more.  We love it and suggest that you follow her blog here. 

She is a lover of Zara just like us and she has taught as a few things today. We discovered the blond salad and some useful blogging and shopping tips.  We would love to say a big thank you to Leanne. for taking part in our blogger spotlight. You guys please remember to check out her blog www.arumlilea.blogspot.com
We hope you fall in love with her just as much as we did. Here is what Leanne had to say: 


Name
Leanne Christine

Tell us about your blog
Arum Lilea, my blog, is my creative expression.  I write about my personal style and travel adventures.  I love playing with styles and creating new looks with the clothes I already own.  I also love to explore the world, different languages and cultures so by incorporating both loves into my blog I’ve married my two greatest interests.

How would you describe your style?
My style varies.  Generally I opt for a preppy-chic look as I’m drawn to collars and structured tailoring but there are days where I change it up and might come across a little more Boho. 

What made you start your blog
My sister and my best friend introduced me to their favourite blogs and I began to follow them too.  One day I decided I’d try my hand at this blogging thing and it just grew from there.

What advice would you give to anyone who wants to start a blog?
Go for it!  It’s so much fun to try something new.  If you’re wondering whether you should, just take the leap and dive right in.

Do you have any fashion icons? ( please elaborate if you do)
My sister is most definitely my first and foremost fashion icon.  That girl’s got style! She makes the odd appearance on Arum Lilea so keep a look out for her.  I also love to see what Olivia Palermo, the Blonde Salad and the Pink Peonies are wearing.

How often do you shop ?
I probably shop about once a week.  I might not buy anything but I like to see what’s in store.  
                                           

Where is your favourite place to shop?
I love Zara and Mr Price.      
           

Why should people follow your blog?
I really don’t take myself too seriously which people might find entertaining.  For the most part I’d like to inspire people to play with clothes in their wardrobes as opposed to making them want to hit the stores and spend fortunes.  I like to make simple suggestions to transform an outfit into something special and I think my tips are pretty useful for anyone to try.