{FASHION NEWS} | Anni King SS14/15

This week Anni King’s new collection of purses for Spring/Summer hits stores. If you aren’t familiar with the Anni King brand, let me give you a bit of a background. Anni King is a South African brand which was started by Joanna Chen. The name comes from her middle name (Anni) and her Dad’s name (King) and she founded Anni King so that she could provide women with beautiful leather bags that are made with quality materials and manufactured well. Johanna designs all the bags herself (lots of hard work and sleepless nights) and is also very involved in the manufacturing process so she can ensure you are getting the total best quality. It’s so refreshing to speak with someone who took an idea they believed in and worked hard to get it out there. I’ve seen how Joanna puts her absolute all into Anni King and it’s become a brand I really believe in too.

The SS14/15 collection is quietly breathtaking. There is no fluff and pointless embellishments, just lovely leather bags in beautiful shapes and soft and bright summer colours. The bags are appropriately named after flowers so they totally get you in the mood for the warmer months. You can choose from a “Hydrangea” tote in buttery yellow to match your florals or if your style leans more towards the grunge side of things then the black “Petunia” backpack is definitely up your alley. My favourite has got to be the “Sweet Pea” in pink because it looks like something off the set of Gossip Girl.

Prices start from ZAR2250 and you can find Anni King bags at the following locations

Johannesburg

Cloth & Label

Morningside Shopping Centre, Morningside

Urban Lifestyle

Hobart Grove Shopping Centre, Bryanston

Stolen Muse

Nicolway Shopping Centre, Bryanston

Cape Town

Purr Clothing

Lifestyle on Kloof, Gardens

Durban

For The Birds

Salt Rock, Durban

You can also order Anni King bags off their Facebook Page.

Email Joanna@anniking.com for more details

Visit anniking.com for more details and follow @AnniKING_

Which is your favourite?

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

{FASHION TIPS} | Shopping For Faux Leather

There are many reasons why people don’t wear leather. For some it’s ethical, others practice veganism and some cannot afford to pay that much for an item amongst many other reasons. I personally think it’s an incredible, classic material but I am unfortunately allergic to it. Even sitting in our cars makes my throat go dry, scratchy and uncomfortable. Leather is a huge trend for Winter and I will be sharing some tips I follow when shopping for and wearing faux leather pieces.

§  Make sure the material is good quality – The material must not be too thin or too shiny (I’ve seen some ridiculous ‘liquid leggings’). Genuine leather is usually quite textured and grainy, so don’t look for something that’s quite smooth. When going faux, good quality makes all the difference

§  Make sure the stitching and work is done well – The amount of care and attention to detail that goes in to crafting from genuine leather is incredibly high. When purchasing faux leather items the stitching and quality of work can be quite shoddy. Make sure you pick out pieces that are tailored and well-made. You want to fake it, not look like a fake.

§  Don’t overspend on faux leather – Faux leather was invented by humans in a lab so it’s probably not going to last too long. While a genuine leather jacket will last you forever, a faux leather one will probably last you three seasons if you’re lucky. I’ve seen faux leather items that cost almost as much as real leather ones but this is just a no-no. Faux leather ages horridly.

§  Go for pieces with faux leather accents – Collars on shirts and dresses, panelled leggings, sleeves; these are all ways to add a bit of leather to your outfit. Accents make faux leather look well, less faux. Faux leather goes well with wool, cotton plaid and denim.  Do make sure that the other fabrics on the piece are of good quality too, though. I once bought panelled leggings and the fabric was so thin… it was a total disaster!

§  Try patent – Patent is fabulous and the point of it is to look plasticky. Faux patent leather will look less faux in patent. You barely can tell the difference between faux and real patent. There are some lovely faux patent shoes in the stores right now.

§  Keep it simple – Try not to do too many faux leather items together. You want to look classy and put together.

   Here are some faux leather items that are in stores now.

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

{OOTD} | PARDON MOI!

Leggings – Cotton On | Top – RE:_ @ Woolworths | Cardigan(old) – Jay Jays | Necklace(old) – MSC Boutique | Heels – Iron Fist | Ring – Swarovski

Woohoo! This is my 100^th post and definitely one of my favourite outfits! I literally just threw it together and it really highlights elements of my personality. I love skulls but I am a girly girl. I can a bit (ok quite) rude at times, hence the PARDON MOI! And I LOVE Hello Kitty… I just got my prescription lenses put in these glasses and I doubt I will be taking them off anytime soon. I didn’t quite bother with my hair and I was honestly just happy with the way I looked :)

I really like t-shirts with little phrases on them and this is not quite a tee which I really love. The shape and cut is perfect to layer over leggings.  Leather look pieces are quite in this Winter and these leggings were 2 for R400 at Cotton On. There are lots of other styles to choose from but they’re selling out quick so hurry!  If you are embracing the leather trend, do be careful not to wear too many pieces together. Leather is a tricky fabric and there’s a fine line between fashionable and trashy. Lace is also pretty big for Winter and I also find it is more effective in smaller doses. This necklace from My Sister’s Closet is the perfect way to add a bit of lace to your outfit.

I really am learning to stop trying to fit in and just let who I am shine through in my outfits. I am so grateful to every single one of my readers and followers for playing the biggest and sweetest role in this process. You really are awesome!

Until next time

“Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess” – Edna Woolman Chase

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox