2016 Fashion Trends

I am not a trendy person. I just don't follow trends. I follow or incorporate fashion i like and feel fits me. I recall back in Uni big (abortion belts) belts, 'Drivers' Shoes and gypsy skirts were some of the biggest trends.
I think 'Peplum' is one of my all-time fave trends. Comfort is an important aspect of my fashion style.
There are so many trends these days, i wonder how proper fashionistas keep up. In 2016, i was more aware of the existing trends thanks to Instagram and some sites i frequent. The ones that stood out to me the most were:

• Chokers
• Velvet Turbans
• Off-Shoulder Tops & Dresses
• Bell Sleeves
• Fringe

Chokers-The only trend out of the above i just wasn't feeling was the 'Choker' trend. I really am not a fan of neck jewellery talkless of chokers. I find them restrictive and it feels like a weight is on me when i do wear them. I can't imagine how i'd feel wearing chokers. I'm just not about that life. They look really cute on some people tho. 

Velvet Turbans- I believe this is a Nigerian trend and you can spice it up by using a brooch with it. I like this trend because i'm a huge fan of head wraps and i now have a use for my abandoned velvet dresses and wrappers. Remember when Velvet aso-ebi was the trend ba. I still wear some of my Velvet wrappers but some others can hardly fit me or i'm just not loving the style i sewed with them any longer. 

I repurpose these outfits and cut out my velvet strips to my preferred size and use them. Saves me buying countless colorful velvet turbans that will go out of style again eventually.

Off-Shoulder Tops & Dresses- I have early on been a fan of my shoulder and collarbone and as a member of the humble-boobed community, i prefer to show them off then a non-existent cleavage. You can therefore imagine that i was really a fan of this trend. It was a bit of a struggle finding a balance though, 'cos i don't like to have my back out. I think is till rocked the trend. 

Some people really went all out-like elbow length- with this trend but that's not my cup of tea.

I rock canoe necklines and off shoulder dresses like no tomorrow.

Bell Sleeves- Yasss!! I'm here for this trend, I don't know why but i just find i like it and its pleasing to my eyes. I also like that you can vary the styles to rock the sleeves and it can make an outfit appear casual or glam depending on the style/fabric/length,etc.

2014

Fringe-I have been loving this trend from afar. I can't wait to find a style to debut it. I am quite excited with what i've seen so far though.

Hopefully 2017 will birth more trends i can love. *fingers crossed*

Toodles!XooX

My Woman/Style Crush!!!! Nhlanhla Nciza

Nhlanhla Nciza, the female singer of Mafikizolo (one of South Africa's fave music groups). I first found about her and music group when their song 'Khona' (from their Reunited Album) gained popularity in Nigeria and reached my ears. I fell in love with the song, their style, the dance, EVERYTHING!!! I can lipsync to the song and say some of the lyrics which is in Zulu language (tnx to Google) and even have an understanding of what the song is about. The rhythm and beat of the song is just super catchy and gets u moving. I did not really bother checking up on her until the 'Tchelete' song came out, which was a collaboration between Mafikizolo and Davido. This was when i realized her style was something different and i loved it!! It was fresh, especially her neck pieces, head gears, dress cuts, color selections, hairdo. Impeccable & Unique!She obviously pays attention to her style. I'm fascinated and in loveee! can u tell? lool. I googled her and found out her name (beautiful and captivating name, its Zulu and means Luck), her interviews, her IG page and that of Theo (the male singer in their music group) and much more. She has been featured on quite a no. of magazine covers including Forbes Woman Africa.

I read up on her life and she has been through a whole lot, from the loss of her daughter (Zinathi) in a car accident in 2009 to the loss  of the 3rd member of their music group leaving just 2 of them who are currently in the group. She went solo for about 4 years before Mafikizolo was reunited.

I admire her strength, to be able to rise above all these happenings, find her voice and passion and delve back into music and still remain so beautiful. She is a true survivor, she is 36yrs old and married with a son at the moment and has been into music for just over a decade.

Their genre of music is Kwaito (which i'm a big fan of) while some can put it under Afro-pop, Mafikizolo has won awards this year including Best Group and Song of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2014 and several nominations including for the Best International Act:Africa at the 2014 BET Awards (they also performed as part of the Music around the Globe presentation  at the BET Experience at L.A live) . Another reason i love the duo asides from their singing abilities is that they put in obvious work in their lyric content, stage performances, outfits and even music videos. They have released 8 albums till date. Their songs also bring back fond memories of Brenda Fassie's Vulindlela and Yvonne Chaka Chaka's Umqombothi and other related songs. 

                            

Check out her IG page and Theo's IG page and definitely listen to their music, my fave are Khona (featuring Uhuru), Majika, Emlanjeni, Tchelete-Good life (they were featured by Davido) and Happiness (featuring MayD). Sure u'll fall in love with her too and Mafikizolo's songs.

Toodles!XooX

NACK NACKesoteric Kullection 2013

Love this! I'm a Nackaholic 4life!! Check out their store if you're in Lagos an their website. www.nackonline.com.