Bonang Matheba - The Stylish Week That Was!

I am probably one of Bonang Matheba's biggest supporters. I love her work ethic, her persistence, resilience and how she constantly works on perfecting her craft...oh and her success is definitely something to be beckoned with! Last week Miss B* had a very busy week, MCing a couple of events, including the prestigious launch of Khanyi Dhlomo's Luminance luxury department store. Here's what Queen B* wore during her stylish, busy week. As always she slayed!

*Luminance Launch - Wednesday 24th July 2013
Bonang wore an Oscar De La Renta gown that Kerry Washington wore to some awards. The gown is rumored to cost R80,000.00!

                         

*Glamour Women Of The Year Awards - 25th July 2013

She was, again MC for the night and she wore Zara, Top Shop and Asos. She looked like a dream in all white.

 

*YOU Spectacular Awards - 27th July 2013
Not only did she bag the most coveted, Favorite TV Presenter award, she looked angelic in a Gert-Johan Coetzee white gown *sigh*. 

She is an undisputed style queen. Shine bright B*

NB: Pictures from Bonang's Instagram and Twitter accounts.

Styled By The Kokonut Stylist - Article 10

The 2013 Durban July Fashion Police - Oh My Gosh!

I am almost certain that no one cares that a horse called Heavy Metal with jockey Smanga Khumalo won the main race at this year's Durban July held last week Saturday. I also  assume that not many people care that Smanga Khumalo was the first ever black person to win at this horseracing event or that about 50,000 people attended this year's Durban July. Yes? No?

Well, maybe that is because we all look forward to the fashion and that is perfectly normal. With a splendid theme as Posh, Oh My Gosh! one would think there would have been no fashion offenders at this years Durban July. I mean, how do you possibly go wrong with a Royal theme? Unfortunately in as much as there were a few and far apart fashion hits, there were, sadly, a lot of misses. Let's start with the good ones shall we?

When I first saw Top Billing presenter, Bonang Matheba's dress I thought 'how could Bonang of all people get this one wrong?' That was until I heard her rationale behind the bright-coloured floor length neon coloured dress. Bonang said "Everyone is focusing on the 'posh', so I decided to do the 'oh my gosh' part. Everyone who sees this dress goes 'wow' because of the neon colour." Smart  choice there Miss Matheba. She never seems to put a foot wrong when it comes to fashion.

TV presenter and Voice-Over Artist Roxy Burger was among my favourites. She interpreted the theme, kept it simple and dressed exactly as it stated. The pop of colour on the shoes was also a great touch.

Celebrity couple, Mbali Mlotshwa and husband Black Coffee looked every bit of classy in black and white. I love how Mbali went for pants as most people always think "dress" when dressing for the Durban July, defying boundaries is a fashion statement on its own.

Vuzu TV presenter, Dineo Moeketsi looked absolutely dazzling in a white dress with lovely neon highlights, it accentuates her figure perfectly.

I was left on the fence with Dineo Ranaka's dress. It has too many trends in one piece; puffy shoulders, peplum, leather and houndstooth. I do however love that her hair and make-up was almost natural and that gave the entire outfit a classy feel.

Minnie Dlamini's outfit was one big confusion for me. Its almost as if she wanted to make it fun and flirty but it just came off as messy. It more 'Oh my gosh why?'.

Muvhango actress Omuhle did a total misinterpretation of Kelly Rowland's Grammy Awards dress. I feel she could have made it a bit more figure-hugging. Word to the wise, if you copy something, make it better.

TV personality Samkelo Ndlovu is apparently wearing a E5,000.00 dress. For just satin and chiffon silk it sure is expensive. Expensive enough for her to want to wear it to big public events twice. It just looks too busy, over-accessorised and just wrong. Neither posh nor oh my gosh!

Let's hope next year's Durban July outfits will be more exciting than this year's ones. Maybe at the J & B Met in Cape Town in January we will be spoiled with good, creative and mostly original outfits.

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Written By: Koko Shabangu 

My Open Letter To Gert-Johan Coetzee And Sophie Ndaba's Friends

Dear Gert-Johan Coetzee, you are one of my most favourite SA designers in fact if I could afford any of your designs, I'd only wear GJC. I remember when you designed a dress for one of the Kardashian sisters when they were here in SA a few years ago, I even blogged about it and you loved the blog post because it described your work in beautifully-written words (which were well-deserved, if you ask me). You recently showcased your Spring/Summer 2013 as well as your Sheer Collection at the SA Fashion Week not so long ago. When I saw your designs on Top Billing on Thursday I thought to myself, this guy is the future. You spoke of how you always dress each woman according to their body shape and size and we all saw the definition of what you were talking about when you dressed those three ladies (still on Top Billing) with three totally different bodies. I marveled at your creativity and ingenuity. 

Come the SAMAs, you did your magic, naturally with everyone you dressed, except for one person- Sophie Ndaba!

Nc nc nc Gert mara!!!

When I saw Sophie Ndaba on TV presenting that award, I immediately recognized your design because Bonang Matheba had ROCKED it some weeks ago and it looked absolutely amazing on her. I then ask myself, Gert being someone who has shown deep understanding and appreciation for the female form why did he do that to Sophie:

These are the questions that need answer, Gert and Sophie's friends, please help us out.

• Why did you dress two women who have bodies that are extreme opposites in the same revealing design?
• How did you allow Sophie to walk out of your studio with that dress?
• Your work is a representation of your brand, why did you do this?
• Did any of her friends see her in that dress and what did they say?
• Most importantly, how are you feeling about the outcome of all this?

I really feel sorry for Sophie Ndaba, you see, bad fashion choices happen to good people too.  Sorry Sophie, next time you will hopefully get it right.

Bonang Matheba - A Fashion BEST Friend!

Bonang was recently featured in one of the local, trendy fashion blogs, A Fashion Friend. I must say, for me the whole styling and creativity for the shoot sets it apart from anything we are normally exposed to. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

So creative, so fresh! I love it!!

The First EVER South African CLEO Magazine Cover Girl

Since its launch in SA in 2007, one of my favorite magazines, CLEO Magazine (for this obvious reason and also for this reason he he..) had never had a local cover girl. Bonang Matheba: TV and radio personality, reality star, business woman, fashion phenom...oh the list is endless, has the honor of being the first local CLEO cover girl. Bonang is featured on the October cover that will be on shelves on the 19th of September.

CLEO editor, Natalie Pool said "We realize this is not the first local cover to feature Bonang but we've had our eye on her for a while and truly believe she is the epitome of a Cleo girl." I couldn't agree more, Bonang is the epitome of a CLEO girl through and through!


This issue will include a 5-page-in-depth look into all aspects of Bonang's life: her interaction with fans on social networks, her role as a Lifestyle brand ambassador, her reality show B*Dazzled (currently plays on her website), her relationship etc.


Well done to Queen B* and to CLEO for picking a hard-working and well-deserving girl. B* we hear you are going to have a party to celebrate this, we hope you remember to invite The Kokonut Stylist ;-)!