LAUNCH | Love.Milo Botanical Collection Launch

Hi Everyone! I hope the month of August started out great for you as it did for me : I am really starting to enjoy teaching more than I had when I started which is great news for me!

In addition, last week and Thursday I was invited to attend the launch of Love.Milo which took place at the Nap Store in Cape Quarter. The botanical theme struck myself and Nur upon arrival with flower petals accompanying the steps we climbed to meet Lee-Anne and Carey (of whom I was so excited to meet). I then recognized a few familiar blogging faces and some I didn't (Laughs) You know how it is at these events!? 

What is Love Milo? 

Love.Milo was founded by Nicki Ellis in January 2013, love milo is a Cape Town based 

design brand boasting an array of contemporary ceramics, wood pieces, fabric creations and tealight lanterns. Specialising in intricate home ware and décor products, Nicki is passionately dedicated to the use of sustainable materials sourced within South Africa.

Nicki Ellis, founder of  Love Milo

This event was unlike the ones I usually get invited to which- I would say- is more fashion based. I've always been a huge fan of home ware and decor and find myself constantly updating my home with unique and fresh concepts. Therefore it's quite fitting for me to be attending this kind of event which inspired me in terms of what is trending in home and decor.

Lee-Anne from Girl About Town PR & Communication, Oh and I have no idea why I am smiling like this! 

View the awesome products and shopping info after the jump! 

Thank you for reading today! 

Love. 

Iptishaam 

LOOK BOOK | Modest Inspiration

When I was approached by Shanaaz from Cape Town 360 to be stylist for an up and coming Eid catalogue I was both excited and nervous. I suppose I never viewed myself as a stylist but of course I am always up for a challenge. 

When I think back to the photo shoot, I would say that the hardest part of playing stylist was the fact that I had to style ladies who were already fashionable and trendy individuals. No duh! Most of them were some of Cape Towns trendiest bloggers!

Needless to say, I felt like I was in my element when I styled these- already gorgeous - ladies! I even asked Aneesa (our photographer) about how one would 'get in' to this industry! I was seriously considering a career change! Insha-Allah (God willing) one day! 

On another note, I hope that you had a blessed and a happy Eid and I hope it was spent with amazing people who only brings joy to your soul. I know I certainly did. On a personal note this is the last Eid that I'll be in my parents home. Next year I'll be a married woman (Inshallah)

Have a look at the little preview of our Eid inspiration pieces and click here! to view the entire catalogue! 

Thank you for reading today and I hoped that you have been inspired by our designers AMAZING collection!  

PS: Follow these bloggers to be inspired by their great style and awesome content!

Love,

Iptishaam 

LOOK POST | THE PLEATED SKIRT

Hey Everyone, just thought I would share this look post with you. Truthfully, I was a little skeptical to be putting up this post. One: because its similar to my Modestly cropped post, well it is similar because it was taken on the SAME day and the only thing that changed was the bottoms, shoes and the way the shirt is styled. Secondly, because I got unnecessary heat on Facebook about how that post is NOT Hijaab. It wasn't meant to be. Like I didn't wake up that morning and decided to flaunt Hijaab.

I'm moody. 

Damn. 

Like can you sense the moody undertone in my writing? 

I'm currently going through a crazy time with a LOT of things. I don't want to bore you with the deets but I am hoping that the storm passes SOON.  

I know that tomorrow I will regret this, lol. Initially, I wanted to post something fun like 'HOW TO WEAR A PLEATED SKIRT', but that would be fake cos I wouldn't be passionate about it. Instead, I'm honest enough to admit that I am moody. (Laughs) Perhaps moody is not even the right word to use.

On a lighter note, I hope that you are enjoying the month of Ramadaan & please don't forget to PRAY for the people of Gaza and all people going through hardships around the world Insha-Allah. May the almighty accept all our dua's / prayers, Ameen. 

Love, 

Iptishaam  

LOOK POST | MODESTLY CROPPED

Hi Guys & Girls! (I feel like I haven't said that in LONG time!) It's really good to start blogging again and as you might know I am FINALLY on a three week holiday which I will use for getting closer to my creator as such an auspicious month is upon us (Ramadaan Kareem!). And also to dress more modestly in respect for the month of Ramadaan. 

I suppose our biggest challenge as modest wearers is actually finding something that can be considered as 'modest'. Finding something appropriate can be a little bit of a challenge when trend forecasters are placing crop tops, short-shorts and see-through skirts in fashion! It can be quite depressing when you find that your favorite online stores have NOTHING that fits your 'modest' profile. What can we as modest wearers do??

Well, I decided that I would choose one item-which is a crop top- and convert it to somewhat modest-wear (according to me). In this look-post I have worn the traditional crop top over my check shirt and a distressed patch denim jeans. I have styled a turban (My Fav) and ended the look with these amazing cut out boots and tan handbag!

What item of clothing would you turn into 'modest' wear? And how?

Thank you for reading today! 

Love, 

Iptishaam 

Checked shirt, Hang Ten | Jeans, Cotton On |
Crop, shoes & sunnies,  Mr Price | Watch, Guess |
Necklace, Zuri | Scarf & bag, China Town | Belt, Factorie |
 Lipstick, Revlon Scarlet flame

 

Collaboration| TRENDS | Sports Luxe trend

Hi Guys and Girls! Welcome to the second part of mine and FHCT's (Fashion house Cape Town) AW'14 trend forecast. Previously (link) we had shown you how to wear the folkloric 

 trend. I hope you enjoyed that post! 

Today we look at the Sports Luxe trend! Think luxury items of clothing such as deep floral's, flared skirts, pointy heels, elegant silhouettes along with edgy baseball jackets, sporty caps and comfortable joggers all comprises of what the Sport Luxe trend is about.   

I love Firdows look because she does a fabulous job at incorporating the 'IN' color for winter (Burgandy) along with the skirt. It shows elegance along with a hint of  sporty.For my look i decided to strut my joggers, crop top and denim shirt. As you can see our looks are completely different but what is lovely about these looks is that it shows our individual personality. Take an item and make it your own. 

'Nuff of me blabbing about, enjoy the images taken in the CBD area. I love working with this gal YO!

 

photo credit: Muneeb 

Thanks for reading today<3

Iptishaam

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TRENDS | COTTON ON COMES TO THE V & A

Today I received the most exciting news! Yes, Cotton On is coming to the V & A waterfront! Finally there's something that I can afford at the Waterfront (lol) without breaking the bank. Here are some details on their press release:

COTTON ON TO HIT THE SHORES OF THE V&A WATERFRONT    

In a move set to excite the people of South Africa, leading Australian retail brand, Cotton On, is thrilled to announce their new store opening at the V&A Waterfront on 30 May 2014.  The launch will mark the Group’s 100^th store in South Africa.

At 1500 square metres, the new Cotton On store will be the largest in the Western Cape and will offer collections from Cotton On, Cotton On Body, Free and Rubi Shoes. The stable of Cotton On Group brands will deliver on-trend basics and fun, affordable fashion which South Africans have come to know and love.

Since opening their first store in 1991 in Australia, the Cotton On Group has been rapidly growing with no plans to slow down. Now with over 1300 stores in 16 countries, the Cotton On Group maintains its commitment to reach more people across the globe.  The Australian retail giant has been operating in South Africa since 2011.

Free by Cotton On, which launched in South Africa in 2013, will be available at the new V&A store catering to the free-spirited, independent minded boys and girls (9-14 yrs) who have outgrown the kids range and are too young for adults, but want to wear a brand that allows them to express their individuality and have fun with their fashion. Free by Cotton On makes it easier for South African parents who struggle to make a transition from Cotton On Kids to finding a brand that they feel is appropriate for their “tweens” to wear.

“We pride ourselves on the notion that there is something in our stores that absolutely everyone will love. Our aim at every turn is to ensure that whenever our customers walk into any one of our stores, they will leave happy,” explains Cotton On Group Country Manager, Johan van Wyk. The new Cotton On store will open its doors on 30 May 2014, operating daily from 9am – 9pm, and will be located at Shop 146B V&A Waterfront, Victoria Wharf.

See you there :) 

xoxo

Iptishaam 

 

LOOK POST | FLORALS

  Hello Everyone!

 I trust that you had an awesome weekend/week/month so far. I’m really not going to bore you with all my complaints that I have about how hectic my life is at the moment, (LAUGHS). That is actually reserved for a RANT post. 

This look was taken a few weeks back by my amazing photographer- Kiki. Yeah? When last have you heard about her? (lol). She has been as busy as I am so in the meantime Nur takes my pics. Kiki is not my official photographer. I mean, some bloggers has specific photographers out there who are hired and paid to take their pictures for them. To me, that seems more like you are trying to build a brand (which isn’t at all a bad thing) it’s just that by doing this you might be  losing the real essence of what blogging means. 

I don’t know about you, but I tend to take my camera along everywhere, not with the intention that ‘this is blog-worthy’ but when the pictures are eventually taken in really amazing parts of Cape Town, that to me makes the whole idea of being a blogger great.

It is finding that secret spots that makes blogging great, it is the unplanned look-posts, the unedited laughter that makes blogging all worth it for me.

Huh? When did this become THAT kind of post? (Laughs) You see how unplanned and untamed things are? From this might come a meaningful post. (Note: that I am not saying that what I just said is at all meaningful). Hahhaha.

Do me a favor and check out this look post?

Love

Iptishaam

Collaboration | TRENDS | AW'14

Hey Everyone! 
I have the awesome opportunity to collaborate with Firdows Jardine, who is the blogger 
 behind  Fashion House Cape Town. 

This is part one of a 3 series-trends forecast which we will bring you through the course of a couple of months. I love collaborating with different bloggers as it is not only great media exposure for ones blog but it really gives you, as a blogger, a chance to meet really awesome like-minded people who share the same expression of fashion the way you do. 

Anyway, 'nuff about that. For today's trend myself and Firdows interprets the, what fashion scouts are calling, the 'folkloric trend'. In order to interpret this trend one should think: Paisley, Fur pieces, printed jerseys and stockings. Not forgetting, tan skinny belts to finish off the look. 

 For more on this fab bloggers look : Go to FHCT (link)
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Leave a comment and let me know what you think <3

Love 

Iptishaam