It’s rare for me to attend any of our local fashion week shows, spot a designer that I love and go searching for their pieces. This was not the case with new kid on the block Siyamthemba Duma founder of local brand Matte Nolim.
Earlier this year, I attended Mercedes Benz Fashion Week for the Threaded Man experience which meant front row seats, wine tasting and brunch in between shows and getting our photos snapped but popular street style photographer, Cedric Nzaka. Although the experience wasn’t anything to write about, being exposed to what our local designers were putting out definitely stood out for me. I believe that in South Africa, we do not have a culture of attending fashion week and making it about the fashion and the designers, it is ore about us, being seen on the red carpet, seated at the front row; snapping our very exclusive point of view of the shows and overall experience.
I first heard about Matte Nolim when he dressed fellow blogger, Lulama Wolf, at a previous fashion week but wasn’t completely blown away until I witnessed his show. I am not gripped or blown away by avant guard or out of this world pieces that seem impossible to style but more by pieces that look clean, classic and ready to wear.
I have always described my style as simple and comfortable but always pushing the boundary by allowing me to look sexy in terms of fit. I live a very busy life that means computing from one shoot to the next, followed by a late night event so I absolutely need to be dressed in super transitional clothing or clothes that are easy to put on and take off if need be. I totally fell in love with the spin that Siyamthemba has put on many classics in his SS16/17 collection. In this case the white shirt. The length allows you to wear it as a dress and the bell sleeves allows you to dress up the look and pair it with a pair of killer shoes. Oh this shirt is also backless, best for that unexpected surprise and some breeze on a warm day!
How would you put your own twist to this classic look?
xo
Twiggy Moli
DETAILS
Photographer: Austin Malema
Shirt Dress: Matte Nolim
Shoes: Kurt Geiger at Spitz
