Punk & Ivy for LEGiT "Don't Conform" Winter 2015 Range

What do you get when you cross a unique street-style South African brand with a massive trendy women's wear retail outlet in Southern Africa? A clothing range that is both expressive and accessible in the form of the Punk & Ivy for LEGiT Winter 2015 “Don't Conform” range. While shopping last week I happened to come across some of the pieces at a LEGiT in Swaziland. 

This is after 

reading and hearing about the range. You cannot miss these eye catching pieces with bold motifs and colours plus the pink hangers that set it apart in the store. It screams “I am me and I am here!” It is for the woman who is confident, knows what she loves and what she is about. A woman who makes her own rules in life and in fashion. I can totally relate! The monochrome jumpsuit with gold buttons is one of those pieces that can be dressed up or down. 

The beauty of the range includes the underlying cultural reference coupled with an edge. It knows and is aware that it is a modern African range for the young woman embracing contradictions, defining who she is than letting the outer world define her. As the LEGiT website states:

“Punk & Ivy’s range is perfect for any girl who wants to make a statement and leave their “I don’t conform” footprint everywhere they go.”

LEGiT has continued the tradition of using an ambassador and creating a range around them each year, and of late each season. These ambassadors have included personalities such as Bonang and Lalla Hiriyama, people in the music industry such as DJ Zinhle and Nandi Mngoma as well as people in the design world such as David Tlale and Dineo Ranaka. This tends to give the whole store a certain feel as the pieces tend to stand out and set the tone. It plays to their slogan “Don't Tell Me What To Wear”. As a brand they have stores in South Africa, Swaziland, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Zambia thus reaching much of Southern Africa. 

LEGiT has become a staple for young women in Southern Africa but who is Punk & Ivy? 

They are certainly not as mainstream as some of the previous LEGiT ambassadors. Punk & Ivy is the brain child of a creative couple who have come together, beyond the marriage and a family, by starting a fashion business. This duo is Bianca Miles-Sibiya (Digital Marketing Specialist, ex MTV Africa, Indigenous Film Distribution and Stylist) and Khaya Bhubesii Sibiya.(Fashion Stylist, Musician, Artist and winner of GQ SA Best Dressed Male 2012). 

They established it in late 2012. This is what they had to say about where their name comes from:
“Punk & Ivy are two terms we resurrected from Soweto lingo, which was popular in the late 60s and 70s. They were terms used by males to describe a dress sense with Punk referring to fitted, dark shades and tailored styles while Ivy was used for more dapper styles such as the wide leg worker pants, bell bottoms and heavyset seams.”

They are documentarians of the life and culture they are living in from the African lens while looking back on the history of those who came before. Creativity meets anthropology. It is a brand that has a distinctive outlook and distribution space by providing an alternative. They are centered on the idea of a motique. A mobile fashion boutique that goes beyond normal trading hours and gets to the people. They are based in Johannesburg and their clothes are inspired by inner city Johannesburg. The Urban African.

I saw the Punk & Ivy Motique Winter 2015 launch in March this year covered by V-Entertainment on Vuzu. It made me sit up and notice. A fresh, edgy and authentic idea with support from the who's who in SA at this launch. Their Winter 2015 collection focuses on androgyny. Items you can steal from your partner and vice versa. This makes them versatile. Their focus on Africanism in design as well as material used is commendable. Our rich continent needs to be celebrated and showcased in its glory.

The initiative with LEGiT makes Punk & Ivy more accessible and visible to the average Southern African young woman who desires to express herself and opens it to a wider market. The launch for the Punk & Ivy for LEGiT “Don't Conform” campaign was in April and I saw it covered on V-Entertainment as well. I literally took notes while watching. Somizi directed the fashion show. Former LEGiT ambassadors including Refilwe Modiselle, DJ Zinhle, Zizo Beda and Tshegofatso Seakgoe were there. Others present were Roxy Burger, Ms Cosmo, Sinazo Yolwa, the Boyz n Bucks crew and some fashion bloggers. A mural was made with the “Don't Conform” message central to the range. The delectable Lunga Shabalala was the MC. An elegant setting in upmarket Johannesburg, outdoors in a beautiful garden on a perfect afternoon created a relaxed atmosphere to launch a wonderful line.

All in all, the collaboration is one that will give young women like me more fashion choices where we can reflect more of our essence through clothing. Whereby we will not be clones because of mass production and marketing. Fashion can be fun and should be an extension of YOU. We salute LEGiT for pushing boundaries and keeping reinvention going. We also salute Punk & Ivy for giving a new possibility and direction as they continue to grow. Go get your Punk & Ivy for LEGiT item today!!!

Find out more on:
LEGiT Site
Punk & Ivy Site



Follow on Twitter and Instagram:
@legitfashion
@PUNK&IVY


Like on Facebook:
Punk & Ivy Motique
LEGiTFashion

Yours in fashion,
Khethiwe “Khetrazz” Gumede

Mark Swag

Well hello again to all you lovers of fashion and trendsetters out there! It’s your girl, Nombuso, bringing you yet another offering of the amazing, inspiring, insightful designers who along with their creations celebrate the creativity within and are changing the fashion scene of their hometowns and ultimately Southern Africa one tee, one print, one garment at a time! Hope you enjoyed our last offering and we do hope that we've channeled the maverick in you!

Today we have yet another founder and designer (doubles as a graphic designer) for the label Mark Swag that has been doing the rounds in my hometown of Manzini. He prefers to be identified as Ghost as he does not want everybody to know who is really behind the brand. This brand has presence, has what it takes to stick out like a sore thumb (no pun intended) which I do hope it never does, very street styled prints and is more of a movement, a state of mind rather than it being just a clothing line. It’s a label on the move. The wearer simply has a Mark Swag tee and goes with it. Man I’m excited and inspired by having to do yet another level that is redefining clothing as well as the designs that inspire these brands. True Maverickz changing the fashion scene in our region!

Ghost is legit people, no funny business here. Mark Swag prides itself with being an innovative international brand of young and fresh designers producing clothing items that may never be repeated again. Sounds like a fad, an item or accessory that reaches its peak quickly and never makes a come-back in the fashion scene again. Also it’s been caught the attention of some South African musicians which is something that is really amazing and impressive as every budding designer desires to have their label worn by some celebrity out there. To them I say Congratulations! Without any further ado, check out this interview

1)        Please introduce yourself?

Marques Ricco Matola, a fashion and graphic designer who happens to be a Mark Swag representative.

2)      Tell us about your brand?

We are an International Brand of innovative, young and fresh designers. Mark Swag prides itself in it's ability to produce a wide variety of clothing that may or may not be repeated. This gives us the opportunity to claim that we are the Most EXCLUSIVE Brand. It was established in 2011. Sweaters cost E320.00, t-shirts E260.00, Snapback Caps E120.00 and Winter Beanies are E80.00.

3)      What makes your brand unique?

It simply has to be the custom fit cut and signature prints on the top of sweaters and t-shirts be it leather, African Tribal Prints or lace at times.

4)      What inspired you to start your brand?

That’s an interesting question which I feel I don’t have an answer to but I’d like to just make a point by saying that it was challenging oneself for the love of fashion because people don’t understand that fashion isn't just getting dressed in fancy apparel. Its more about matching or shall I say complimenting the fit satisfactorily. 

5)      What advice would you give to anyone who wants to start their own brand?

My advice is never be afraid to fail, don’t get lazy and copy people’s ideas, be passionate, last but not least BELIEVE.

6)      Where can or readers buy your stuff?

At the moment Mark Swag is available at EMC Design Studio which is in Manzini, Swaziland, (Casa Minha Building Shop #4) and is also currently available in South Africa, Johannesburg at the East Gate Mall (Carbon Store). Or Order On Facebook or e-mail, support@markswag.com  or www.facebook.com/markswagclothing 

7)      Correct me if I’m wrong but I saw a presenter for Shiz Niz on Craz-e, Evan Creamer, wearing a stunning print of your Mark Swag t-shirts. Did you get any compliments for it in South Africa?

Well, yes. We are working with Evan Creamer of Shiz Niz, also Bass and King Jay of Oskido’s Stable as they featured on Speedy & Stoan’s Aziwe music video wearing the New Mark Swag Tribal Print Sweaters. Female artist Zahara got herself one as well.

8)      From the posts you've made on your brand I get that it makes a statement, has presence and is more of a movement. Its an idea and a state of mind. What would you say is the identity of the brand is?

It’s a trendsetter on its own, it’s about being up to date with fashion, it’s that feel good type of wear. I feel like it’s that type of wear everyone wants to be involved in, it motivates, opens up a challenge for young designers to make them try and come up with their own clothing line.

9)      As with every Art Movement was driven by an idea i.e Futurist, Pop Art, Surrealism, Constructivist movements, etc and as certain events have influenced fashion (e.g Le Smoking by Yves Saint Laurent, the Little Black Dress by Coco Chanel), is there anything that influences you and your brand?

The designers behind Mark Swag are crazy, playing around with different concepts as they produce different kinds of clothing daily. It’s more like implementing creative ideas onto material.

10)  At what level do you hope to take your brand and are there other ventures you’re currently eyeing?

It’s already gone international but that isn't enough because it’s not at a Ralph Lauren level or another international brand most definitely but it appears to be invisible at the moment.

11)  Is the client base growing for your brand and how well is it doing?

Is that a trick question? Well… This winter our target is to push at least 1000 units of sweaters.

12)  And lastly Mark Swag is……

Hold up, what is "Mark Swag"?!!  That’s a question that’s been circulating the Earth’s surface for a couple of years now.  If I could define it: I wouldn't have the best definition because Mark Swag is versatile but one thing I'm certain of is that: Mark Swag is an Alter Ego of a brand of itself, it's Passion, it's Power, it's not just clothing or swag, it's on another level. I’d say its fashion.

Well there you have ladies and gentlemen! A bright, confident young man who believes in the potential as well as power of his brand and who has done very well for himself as having had his brand of t-shirts featured with presenters, upcoming musicians modeling his brand of t-shirts and having a famous musician purchase one for herself – we salute you! We do hope you continue the great work because clearly what you put out there in indeed quality! Till next time darlings, cha-cha!

Bloggers We Love : Claudia Santos

Hello fmz family.

Fistly I would like to say thank you for following us on our journey. We see that the fashion Maverickz family is growing and you guys really seem to love the fashion blogger posts :D.

Today our eyes are on Angola. Claudia Santos is a fashion blogger and Image consultant from Angola. I discovered Claudia on Instagram ( the power of the gram). Her blog and her fashion pages make me wish I could speak Portuguese. Her photography is on point and she knows what works for her body.

Claudia's style incorporates androgynous elements with splashes of femininity and chicness. Claudia can go from tomboy esq to flaming vixen ( and you will see all of this in her pictures below) We love her versatility. This woman knows how to layer. If you want to learn how to put an outfit together than be sure to check out her social media below.

You can find Claudia on :

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/conversasnoarmario
Instagram: @csclaudiasantos
Blog: http://conversasnoarmario.com/

If you love fashion. Then I will encourage you to do something about it. Create something. Share your eye for detail. Whether you decide to become a blogger, stylist, fashion designer you name it there are so many elements to fashion. 

You never know who you could inspire or what you can create. We share these lovely bloggers and their style because we want you to see that Southern Africa has got it. We can produce excellence.  There are ordinary people out the deciding to create opportunities for themselves just like anybody else can.

Start where you are with what you have

Love and Light

Tiwi

Bloggers We Love : ChiefGlammy

Hello family

Firstly I would like to say thank you for all your love and support so far. The team is always discussing new ways to share what we know and find about fashion. We have a New segment taking over from the Blogger spotlight. It is called Bloggers we love (for now). We might change the name later ( just because we love change and switching things up).

Today we have Swaziland's answer to fashion. Appropriately, she calls herself Chief Glammy. We love her style. It is chic with a pint of daring. We also love the diversity of information she shares on her social media platforms. From beauty, hair, celebrity fashion and her own style she has is on point. I have personally worked with her and she was a joy to work with. I love her sense of humor.  Did we forget to mention she  represents the fashion maverickz ethos i.e she supports local Swazi fashion designers and she is an entrepreneur. We love all of that. We will leave all contact details below:

Blog: www.glamchickuwait
Instagram: Chiefglammy
Youtube:ChiefGlammy
Twitter:@chiefglammy

Well we hope you enjoyed our new segment. We love sharing and introducing you to people in the Southern African fashion forefront. We challenge you to support local bloggers so that they can continue sharing their good work and information with us. We have supplied the details now go forth and follow Chief Glammy.

Celebrate all things Southern African

Love and Light:
Tiwi