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.

K'amba designs by Chikondi Mwanza



Hello beautiful people!!

Fashion in southern Africa is growing day by day with new designers emerging onto the scenes and giving us amazing clothes to drool over. This week, K’amba designs by Chikondi Mwanza made our list and we just had to share this amazing designer with you.

It is not less than three months ago that Chikondi Mwanza, 21-year-old fashion designer of k’amba designs came onto the Zambian fashion scene. Paving her way with garments such as the half blazer dress that was showcased at the vitenge Ni vatu fashion show in Lusaka, on the 27^th of June

 

 The vitenge Ni vatu fashion show is where k’amba designs was first debuted and immediately caught attention with an article to follow in the Lusaka daily newspaper which featured the young designer. 

The name k’amba which means talk in a Zambian local language is as a result of chikondi’s belief in the concept that clothes should speak louder than words and that’s exactly what her design aesthetic is all about. Incorporating sophistication, glamour and funk into each outfit to give to it a unique voice.  

Other than the Vitenge Ni vatu fashion show, k’amba designs were also showcased at the Tionge fashion show in Lusaka on the 18^th of July and also featured in the afro centric category of the miss intellect pageant in Lusaka on the 1^st of august.



K'amba design
 

Chikondi in K'amba peplum top

Chikondi Mwanza

 

model in K'amba design

 

 

To connect with Chikondi and K’amba designs, follow her on Twitter  @chikotaraji and Facebook

Nsungwe ♥♥

Jerem Paul

Hello everybody. Today's designer spotlight will be with the very talented  Khulekani Msweli head designer and founder of Jerem Paul. He will be talking to us about his style, inspiration and his work. Not only is he a designer he is also an excellent craft's man, artist and interior designer.

My first reaction when I came across Jerem Paul was simply 'wow'. I was completely blown away by the quality of his work and his creativity . I love how holisitc his brand is. I see Jerem Paul as a blue print for what African fashion should bring to the table. Jerem Paul for me is the flagship for fashion in Swaziland. I see very big things for this brand and frankly I am inspired by Khulekani's work.

Now on to the good stuff. Let's have a word with Khulekani :

1. Please introduce yourself. Tell us about your brand and a little about yourself.

I was born in Vuvulane, Swaziland, in 1984. Spent most of my early years in Swaziland, lived and studied in England. To further enhance my knowledge in the arts, I traveled extensively to Paris, New York, Amsterdam, The Middle East and West Africa.

 JEREMPAUL is a multiple award winning, high end fashion and design brand directed by a Swazi father and son, Paul Msweli & Khulekani Msweli, since its establishment in 2010. It's focused on innovative high quality craftsmanship and driven by the love of contemporary art, resulting in avant-garde fashion and furniture.

Designer Khulekani Msweli designs objects that revive artisan's skills at the same time that they are challenged, to entice young generations to take part and pride in the value and meaning of craftwork.

A JEREMPAUL piece is a "one-made", to be passed on from one generation to another, telling our story and preserving our heritage.

2. What was the defining moment that encouraged you to start designing

There wasn't a specific defining moment but it was the fact that I was in a creative environment during my high school days and through my art skills, I felt it a natural process to delve into design as I would eventually become self employed. I have never really wanted to be an employee so the design world allows one to become self employed.

3. How do you incorporate your heritage into your designs?

First and foremost it's through the craftsmanship and then followed by creating a contemporary edge within what is already in my culture.

4. Please tell us where we can find your designs?

In Vuvulane, Swaziland.

5. Can you tell us about your personal style?

I would describe my style is modern eclectic.

6. Who are your fashion icons?

Not many, but that would include Rei Kawakubo, Rossana Orlandi & Lee McQueen

7. What advice would you give to someone who wants to start designing?

Have passion, study the field, then research, research, research!

8. Aside from your heritage what else inspires you when you are working on your collections?

The natural beauty of the world and the capabilities of humanity, through architecture, art, literature, music & spirituality.

9. Where do you see your brand in the future?

Within the homes and public spaces of discerning individuals who appreciate high quality craftsmanship and conceptual design/art.

10. Can you give us any tips on running your own brand?

Be in control of  the brand's image, work with a team that understands and believes in the brand's vision and mission, never be mediocre, remain consistent and relevant. There will be very dark days so you will need God.

Well thank you Khulekani for this amazing Designer spotlight. I hope someone has been inspired to develop and work on their talents. As Khulekani has said,research , research, research, be passionate about your work, understand your vision and be consistent. Very important advice that I will be taking myself. 

If you want to keep up to date with what Jerem Paul like his page on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jerempaul.life 

Until Next time. Have a beautiful Friday and a happy weekend.

Love Tiwi

Designer Spotlight : Salhalina Hillal

Hello Lovelies
So we have been missing in action for a while. Alas life calls sometimes. Today we bring to you our first Designers spotlight.  As you know one of our aims is to share Africa fashion and bring it your attention. We love versatile pieces that tell a story.

This lovely young lady caught our attention on Facebook , through one of her friend's Facebook pages. We were inspired because of her innovation ,her professionalism and her young age. Salhalina proves that you don't need to be a certain age to pursue your dreams and we salute her for that. We know that this young lady will be going places and we know we will be hearing more from her. Her designs are amazing, very eclectic and her personal style is on point.

We hope you enjoy what Salhalina has to say about her designs, advice on becoming a designer and her personal style.

Name: Salhalina Hillal

About Vintage Nabora:

Vintage Nabora is the infusion of three African generations of style, embodied through the essence of the modern woman. Nabora is actually my mother’s maiden name and the three generations are that of my grandmother, mother and my own. The VN woman is one comfortable in her own flesh and curves. Her beauty knows not of any restrictions.

Vintage Nabora designs are exclusively tailored. They focus on the client and the manifestation of her inner beauty.

What inspired you to start designing?

Design was never a conscious course for me; it just developed automatically. Whenever I see a piece of clothing that I like, all that runs through my mind is how I can better it. As I've grown older, cost and quality have become the motive; I want to be able to look like a Queen without having to spend like one. So I took matters into my own hands and began designing my own clothes. I've never had the time to learn how to sew them myself but I saw a great opportunity for the local tailors in my hometown, Dar es Salaam. I collaborate with them in most of my projects and they've played a major role in my progression. They've learnt from me just as much as I have from them.

Where can we find your designs?

I only began displaying my designs to the public this year. I've been extremely freelance; however I've decided to release a look book for every time making a couple of items. My first official one can be viewed online at http://issuu.com/ossegiovannigrecasinare/docs/vintage_nabora. I prefer to work with customers that I can be in close proximity with (Tanzania) to assure that they can the best out of my services, however in some cases I agree to deliver the items further (e.g. Swaziland and SA).

Advice:

Start yesterday. Everyday a great outfit could be borne from your style, however you need to go one step further and bring it to life. Rarely is it exactly how you pictured it but the perseverance will get you something worthwhile. I've had matured and renowned designers tell me that they won’t help me because nobody helped them when they started. Small things like that can never stop you from pursuing a passion once you make yourself your biggest competition.

Personal style:

I would say it’s eclectic, because although I draw inspiration from the likes of  Beyoncé and personas such as Jessica Pearson, there’s always something that is distinctly me: A mixture of sophistication, sexy and practicality.

We hope you have been inspired by this post. We will be sharing more about Vintage Nabora on our tumblr , facebook and instagram pages so keep your eyes peeled for any follow up post on Salhalina.