Summer 2011- A GYPSY HIPPIE AFFAIR...

i.Life

"We're all going on a Summer holiday..." so goes a line from a song. It's definitely getting warmer by the day and the layers are starting to get lighter! This calls for some form of celebration doesn't it? As the title of this Blog suggests, we don't spare any change when it comes to the finer things in life!

Fashion seems to be going back in time come this Spring/Summer! 70's? 80's or 60's perhaps? Drum roll please, boom we have a winner! 70's please step forward, as you are this year's Spring/Summer Fashion winner! Now 70's? What do you suggest we wear as fashionable souls?

Some of us where not born in the 70's, however as modern Children of the sun our clothes define our sense of style and being. The 70's dress sense can be summerised in one simple word? Think Daisies, afro's, platform shoes and simple clothing? Yes, the "Hippies" are coming alive again...an era symbolised by mini skirts, bell bottoms, disco balls and Gents...we will get to you later.  

Ladies 70's clothes: "Disco Party" The mini...

The Mini makes a huge come back this year! In all forms and colours if you have the legs and body that is! Pull out your Mini's...well some will settle for the car form as it will also come in handy! For those statement making antics! I'm definitely sure that Mini Cooper sales will sky rocket, this Spring/Summer as they are going to be must have accessories to match the the Mini skirts on the prowl!

i.Life has settled on Bonang Matheba as thee Mini Skirt Ambassador for this Spring/Summer, it takes no Rocket Scientist to figure out why? Go Bonang, do us proud...

Moving along Gypsies...think Marianne Frassler etc...

Well, if you also also spot a lady from ABUJA rocking something along the below lines give her some love too...

All in all Ladies, pull out your loose fitting tops, care-free wear is acceptable once again! However, we do not mean sloppy! Think flowing dresses, pastel colours with a tinge of brightness...hint a tinge! Wedge shaped shoes, platform styles and then you are on the right track! For the less adventurous Girls? You get to keep your "Philistine"  styled sandals come this Summer! Rock them with your over-sized flowing tops and micro shorts! 

Gents, we're sure you all are wondering, what is in store for the Alpha male? Here we go! 

High waited shorts? Are you serious... the 70's male was so borderline! Interesting, this one should come along with a (PG) warning attached. Zakes Bantwini...ala style baby!

Shorts with Fitted Blazer's and....Earthy tones! 70's "Chic"

Gents, Jeff's International's high collared shirts pricing from R2500.00 are a must have for this Spring/Summer...if you can afford that price tag, give Jeff a shout. In the 70's Shirts were tight fitting, with big collars and were brightly patterned. 

 jeffsinternational@starmail.co.za

I.Life introduces: Ms Char our Fashion Guru....look out for more SS 2011 Fashion from Ms Char!

Madibuseng Sings Beyond The Grave...

By: i.Life 

 

Distinctively known for her signature blonde hair and provocatively electric stage shows, Lebo Mathosa was thee most sought after Performers of her time. Tragically, a car accident claimed her life when her career seemed to be really taking off. Born and bred in Davyeton, as a child Mathosa regularly sang in her local Church choir. In her teenage years, Lebo packed her bags and headed for Hilbrow in search of fame and fortune. In Jozi she met up with aspiring Musicians Junior Sokhela, Thembi Seete, and Theo Nhlengethwa. Forming a union which gave birth to the band known as Boom Shaka, under the watchful eye of "Oskido" Oscar Mdlongwa who served as their Producer.

Boom Shaka burst onto the South African musical scene with their "Its about time" smash hit followed by "Thobela" and the revolutionary "Free" which lifted the group to greater heights. In 1998 Boom Shaka belted out "Nkosi Sikelela" a controversial rendition of the South African national anthem. Boom Shaka enjoyed massive success as a group but Mathosa's star was set on achieving bigger things. 

Lebo Mathosa, released her debut solo album in the year 2000 titled “Dream”, which won her Best Dance Album at the South African Music Awards. Aimed at marking her individuality in the Industry Mathosa, quickly became known as a downright Diva never shy to controversy as regular tabloid fodder with her wild and uninhibited lifestyle.

                                   

Lebo Mathosa's star glistened even brighter in the later 2000's with albums like "Drama Queen", with her last recorded album being "Lioness" which many know via the tracks "Brand New Day" and "I love Music". The month of July marks as Lebo Mathosa's birth month, while the Winter chills invade our being remember "Madibuseng" who still sings beyond the grave.

Power House Threads

By: i.Life

South Africa is definitely alive with creativity and proudly making a bold mark on the International Fashion circles. Three distinctive fashionably local Brands have solidified their places on the "Runway" at the recent Cape Town Fashion Week, which unearthed "Street Wear" bringing an unusual taste to the orthodox Couture fueled Fashion Week line up.  

Head Honcho with its young and funky approach led the pack! Having emerged to capture the Streets of Cape Town with its colourful apparel. The tagline line for Head Honcho is "live progressively" an ethos that has ensured the success of this Fashion House.

Head Honcho launched a few years ago offering T-shirts and Caps, which saw them competing against the likes of AMA-KIP-KIP, who where too comfortable owning the "Street cred" status card for sometime. Head Honcho quickly separated its self with an aggressive Retail distribution strategy launching into Shesha and Sportscene outlets across S.A.

Head Honcho has not only won the hearts of the Public but now boasts an array of Celebrity endorsers such as the award wining DJ Lulo Cafe, the Queen of Bling Khanyi Mbau and Rap star A.K.A.

Strato, an edgy in your face Brand recently opened up a "Concept Store" in the Mother City, a bold move by its Founder Maloti Destiny Mothobi  whom is no stranger to the Fashion business, having harnessed her skills as a member of the Cape Town Fashion Council. Strato formally debuted this week at the Fashion Week with a rather interesting "Sporty" range. 

Vincent Ntunja, a Cape Town based local Model (watch out for this guy) was seen making an appearance in Strato's show which incorporated Vernac Bags.

Vernacular is a term given to Native languages in a particular country, in Mzantsi Vernac is a Brand that has given birth to uniquely designed bags and wallets! Vernac bags are super hott and definitely stand out in the crowd with their "Mashangane bag" inspired material origins.    

 

A Model showcasing a Vernac Bag masterpiece. Vernac bags exude a quality that will see this Brand shining amongst legendary home grown Brands.

              

Visit these power houses @

Head Honcho: 

www.headhoncho.co.za

Strato: 

www.wearstrato.com

Vernac:

vernacbags@gmail.com

 

5 Minutes: George Gladwin Matsheke

Founder: www.studio83.co.za

By: i.Life

Now “BOOM” we bring you George aka “Gorgeous George” Matsheke! Enjoy...

i.Life: You need no intro, however who is George Gladwin Matsheke?

GM: I’m a Graphic Designer by Education, Art Director by Profession and a Creative Editor by Passion. I’m also a dreamer and I dream in colour! Vede ke ngwana wa ausi Daphney le abuti Moss – lover of magazines and design.

i.Life: You studied @ Boston Media House, how was that and what did you achieve from BMH?

GM: If it wasn’t for YFM and DJ Fresh I wouldn’t have been able to attend Boston Media House – so firstly a shout out to them. BMH is where I became who I am today, it was a proper foundation for me. That’s where Gorgeous George was born [A name from of one of my favourite all time movie-Snatch].

i.Life: Whilst on BMH...tell us more about DJ Fresh and the role he has played in your life!

GM: He changed everything – For which I’m forever grateful. My Mother is Cashier at Pick n Pay and Father was a small time Businessman. My dad passed away while I was in grade 11 and all my hopes of going to study after Matric disappeared. I knew what my Mother earned so studying further was a no go area... Things fell into place when I was awarded the bursary to study @Boston Media House – I knew there and then that I had to make it count.

i.Life: Your passion seems to lie in Magazines! Studio 83 is your baby, in 2011 (shim) is longer an infant but thee coolest kid on the block... what is this kid all about though?

GM: I started s83 in 2006 on Birthday, I had I just moved out of home and my Mother was not on speaking terms with me because I had moved out of her cocoon! I could not afford it at that time but it happened. s83 is a Creative Lifestyle magazine: We cover Photography, illustration, writing, insights about life and other subjects.

There is also Celebrate Life Magazine [cl.studio83.co.za] and Marvin [www.marvin.co.za] – but Marvin will happen when the time is right.

i.life: Your take on Magazines in S.A? Why did you choose the online route instead of printing Studio83?

GM: I love story telling and design – if you marry those two well you get nice quality magazines... Online is way cheaper than printing, well until we get enough money to print … it would be nice to print.

I.Life: Are you Rich? Well, you seem like a Khanyi Dhlomo in a male body! What are some of your plans for Studio 83?

GM: Nah, I’m far from it, I can’t even be compared to a Khanyi Dhlomo and I’m just a guy who has a thing about magazines that’s all.

i.Life: The success of Studio 83 is evident in that you have both Local and International followers, how are your readers responding to your Mags? Share some of their responses please!

GM: People out there appreciate s83 and sometimes that’s the only thing that keeps me going. Yeah, we get contributions from all over the world – it doesn’t matter where you are or from – good stuff is good stuff.

i.Life: The latest issue is hott and deserves some worthy praise! “Seven deadly sins” is the title...elaborate?

GM: We all sin, some commit more sins than others. Actually it was suggested by a friend and it sounded interesting to me and we got contributors together and what you have downloaded are the results.

i.Life: Where to from here 2011 and beyond?

GM: We would love to get investment, so that we can grow bigger than this …

i.Life: Besides Magazines what else tickles your fancy?

GM: I also love furniture design [interior design] – and I’d love to explorer that later in life. 

i.Life: A busy bee also needs to relax and enjoy the finer things in life, how does George find balance in his life?

GM: Ke ya jola, so that’s where I find time to relax and all.

i.Life: In closing, what drives you and what would you say to any aspiring Magazine Mogul?

GM: Dreams are not cheap. Dreams mean hard work – the hardest thing is to start and then the rest shall be history.

www.studio83.co.za

Is your glass half full or half empty?

Hello,

Today is Tuesday... if you didn't know. I normally like to view this day of the week as "Choose" day! Why "Choose" day you may ask? Well it resonates well as you all know that Monday's are always associated with everything dark and gloomy...Blue Monday etc. Unfortunately one cannot stay too long in  a"blue" state of mind, without heading for the nearest bottle store or worse slitting our wrists and lie in cold baths...eek! Thank the Mayan God's or who ever decided that we needed to name the different days of the week! Now, where am I heading with this one? It's simple the mind is a powerful tool, one which we all have been blessed with in order to make choices! The choice of waking up, bathing, eating, smiling and the choice of living! Yes, we do choose to live...to a certain degree. Life can be a complex subject matter and it may mean various meanings to everyone! If you are able to read this blog, you are living! Great, now that you are reading let me expose you to some of my choices, which have empowered me to being a better being!

In life we either choose to be happy or sad, there are endless moments which call for either state. However the choice of being happy far outweighs the choice of being sad...how do you choose to be happy when your naturally triggered response is to be sad?  Just think...it generally takes us a minute-two to make decisions, some simple and some eternally life-changing. I have developed a personal "motto" which I have chosen to share today! The  two minute-choice rule! whenever I am faced two conflicting states, being on the border line I quickly say to myself , "you have two minutes to decide" It's either you are going to be happy or sad? Happiness comes with good and sadness comes with bad. Choose...I tend to lean towards being happy most of the time, yes most of the time! As you know bad is bad for you...for a lack of a better word. I choose to happy when I feel sad it motivates me to carry on! Making my choices, taking positive decisions when faced with negative forces. It truly works, try it out...say to yourself that you only have two minutes to decide! Its either you are going to be happy or be sad and deal with negative feelings that will eventually lead to your own determent!

 

Here is an example of a choice a friend took: Charlie recently started going to GYM! A place we all generally make a choice of joining and never really get to fully enjoy our memberships!

"I don't go to gym to get all buffy.... I do it to stay fit. I've never believed in using supplements either. I find that exercise helps me stay mentally alert and this helps me a great deal since my days are really long... I also socialize a lot which means drinking & smoking therefore gym helps me find a balance. I try and go to gym at least 3 times a week. Day 1 would typically be Yoga & Spinning... Day 2 would be 20 min on a treadmill at a steady pace then 40 min circuit training.... Day 3 is circuit training then abs class with a fitness trainer... After every session I do about 10 minutes on the power plate to prevent my muscles from getting stiff. Then off to the sonar for a bit... After this I feel brand new & feel like I can take on the world... U sometimes treat myself to supper at Kuai & a health shake. It took me a while though to realize that for it to work it has to be a lifestyle otherwise if feels like an effort. Oh & I eat my all bran every morning without fail..."     Thabeng Charlie Leping

Now you ask yourself ha? Why GYM and why Charlie's example? Charlie made a choice to find balance in his life and he has so far stuck to it! We all aspire to be healthy and physically strong but do we ever really choose to stick to our choice of going to gym without failing?Take two minutes to decide the next time you go to gym! Will you  stay or will you be led astray...

Today, I choose to be healthier in order to be a better person! What is your choice? Is your glass half full or half empty? Take two minutes and decide...

Happy "Choose" day!

Just Curious...Lelo Boyana

Just Curious: Lelo Boyana

By: I.Life

Here’s a mouth watering “Brown Shuga” coated delight…enjoy, savour the moment!

I.Life: Who is Lelo Boyana? Break it down… (For the striking Petrol Truck Drivers and for those whom have just crawled out of a rock in Poffadder)

LB:  I'm just a girl from Welkom who's passionate & very much in love with SA's entertainment industry.. I'm also very opinionated and like sharing my sometimes twisted opinions with the world. I'm a mother to a 9 year old boy who makes me laugh and of course I'm a proud African!

I.Life: Where do you stay and what do you for a living, besides attending parties?

LB: I stay and work in the East Rand, still doing Human Resources. That's my bread and butter, everything else I do simply because I can. 

Parties, well, I don't even go to events that much anymore...unless it would be really interesting to write about. It gets tiring after a while.

I.Life: what are some of your hidden talents? (Eish, not the ones performed in darkness)

LB: Hahahahah well...nothing I can think of! I don't know if it's a talent but I know quite a bit about soccer!

I.Life: You were once a Gospel Singer??? Can S.A expect a musical offering from you in the near future?

LB: Sjoe...and put Sis Ribs outta business? No, I love her too much to do that!

Hayi maan, that whole singing thing was just part of growing up, didn't you sing Gospel wena at some point? Hahahaha. I can string a few notes together but I don't like attention so I would have a problem with being on stage with thousands of people looking and listening at me and besides, Msholozi is a better dancer than me, mina I can't dance to save my life. In short, no, I'm too shy to do that.

I.Life: Fortunately, I’m a taxi driver who happens to be PC literate…I came across “Brown Shuga” elaborate…

LB:  Brown Shuga is one of the best things to ever happen to SA's entertainment blogging.

She shares my passion for the entertainment industry, is a South African celebrity & Television blogger who started out on TVSA, did whatever she did to help grow the site and contributed to making it the force it is. I've sort of slowed down on the blogging front lately coz I get bored with doing the same thing over and I think I have established myself as a “credible blogger” and right now I'm up for the next challenge. Okay, lemme stop before I start sounding like something that came out of a Bouga Luv track.

I.Life: Can I conclude that you suffer from Schizophrenia (Multiple personalities)?

LB: Hahahahah oh yeah, that goes without saying! People fall in love with Brown Shuga and then they meet me and get disappointed coz I”m so not like her...I'm moody, a bit quiet and not very good at small talk, which I've found to be a must-have if you wanna be popular with people in this industry...you know, fake smiles here and there, a lil compliment to this one or that one...I can't do that unless I mean it and yeah I'm not shy to dish out compliments where they're due but huwiee...

Brown Shuga is very much outspoken, tells it like it is but Lelo is kinda reserved and gets very hurt when celebrities snub her because of what Brown Shuga wrote about them hahaha

I.Life: You are a Blogger of note, are you obsessed with gossip/”Celebrities” why this passion?

LB: Hahaha I was kinda obsessed when I started out but I don't think I am right now coz at the moment I only blog about something that I'm really excited about and if you check my recent blog postings you'll see that it's not only about celebrities any more.

Celebrity news are still very much in demand though & I'm still interested so that's an area I'm definitely gonna continue exploring. When they criticize they say we are into celebrity news coz we don't have lives, maybe that's true but bottom line is that there is demand out there & it can't be ignored.

I.Life: Ms Beyonce err pardon me Ms Boyana, you are fiercely hot and damn… do you have a JZ (He stole my vote too, NO not that one) in your life? If YES…how did you meet and what made you say YES? If NO, what do you look for in a guy?

Lelo: Mmmmh...thank you MaG! My answer is “no comment” and as for what I look for in a guy...hayi...the truth is that I used to have a “shopping list” but I don't anymore, life is just not designed that way. I just enjoy people who make me laugh nje that's all.

ILife: I just had to get that one out of the way (For my fellow taxi driver’s eNoord), back to business… Lelo, you where once part RGB followed by a short stunt with City Press what happened?

Lelo: Yeah...I've had a lot of questions about what happened with RGB, the truth is that I left coz it was just not working out & everybody who watched could see that. The details of “how” exactly was it not working out & “why” will be made known in my tell-all book about the ins & outs of SA's celebville! Hahahhahah, yes, keep it locked mzansi, it's coming!

City Press – I really enjoyed writing for City Pulse but the one thing it taught is me that I'm not really much of a socialite. I resigned because the job required me to go to events all the time and I dislike going to events coz I “have” to....it has be coz I want to and I have times when I just wanna be at home the whole week and not go out!

Also, 2008 was a very hectic year for me man coz at some point I was doing RGB, City Pulse, City Press (big brother), TVSA plus HR and I really neglected my duties as a mother so it all got a bit too much and I feared that I would end up dishing out nonsense on some jobs so I had to slow down. I think my son suffered the most in a sense because I wasn't home half the time and when I was, I would be too busy writing this or that.

The Big Brother column obviously ended coz the show ended!

ILife: Who is the most entertaining “Celeb” which you have interviewed and why?

Lelo: Entertaining? Mmh... I'm not sure what you mean about entertaining so I'm just gonna flip that to “interesting”....

I've enjoyed interviewing all the guys I spoke to but the ones I'm most proud of are Siyabonga Ngwekazi & Robert Marawa.  When I interviewed them I had never read previous interviews they'd given so I didn't know what to expect but they were both very candid. I spent no less than 2 hours with each of them and yazi if you leave an interview and you're going “wow, wow” then you're know ukuthi there's something special about that person and just through interviewing them nje, I learnt a whole lot.

They may come from different worlds but uRobert & Siya are similar in terms of being focused in their work, the creative way in which they deliver their work, they are both very humble, never flaunt their success in anyone's face and I think that as a result, they will continue to be in demand and relevant.

You've actually just made me realize that I've interviewed more men than women and that's a worrying factor for me as a woman. Gotta fix that! On my wish list are Khanyi Dhlomo & Debra Patta just to name a few.

Ilife: Who is your Top 5 Hott (talented) news worthy “Celebs” in S.A? And what is the craziest thing you have done to cover a story?

Lelo: I'm answering this with the thinking that you are referring to Sunday World, Sunday Sun typa news neh?

People that are hott because they are hard workers are DJ Sbu (he's innovative), Bonang Matheba (she deserves all the props she's getting right now), Siyabonga Ngwekazi (can someone please do a business case study on Ama Kip Kip?), Jozi (definition of talent) & someone needs to take a closer look at Thokozani Nkosi coz that's a mogul in the making right there! Obviously there are lots more but those are the people that came to mind right now. I also have a long list of overrated celebs but it's a pity you didn't ask that! Hahaha too late now!

I haven't done anything crazy to cover a story, maybe I will , just to get the Deborah Patta interview! Yho, she kills me shem!

ILife: A question to “Brown Shuga” what is happening with S.A Radio? (My passengers are requesting Cd’s)

LB: I'm more of a TV critic so even thought I will admit that it has never stopped me before, I'm not qualified to comment on radio. However I don't mind telling you about my radio habits if that's okay?

My best ever breakfast radio show will always be Fresh and Thato on Yfm back in the day. I've since gone through Phat Joe, Thomas, DJ Sbu without much happiness but I've finally settled on Gareth Cliff on 5FM and now and again I tune in to John Robbie on Talk Radio 702.

I'm at work during the day so I can't listen to the radio without losing focus so I only tune in again on my way home and I love Glen Lewis' humour so I'm on Metro FM in the afternoon till after Discovery Sports Centre.

Fresh is doing a good job at 5FM but there's only so much “5FM music” a girl can handle in a day so for that reason alone, I can't tune in hahaha.

ILife: What can we expect from Lelo Boyana TV/RADIO/PRINT gigs?

LB: I don't have an agent, I don't go to auditions so if you see me on TV again it will be because the job came to me! Hahahahaha. Seriously though, I'm not pursuing anything in that area, coz mina shem I don't have the heart to be rejected after an audition. My self esteem is too fragile.

I have NO ambitions of being on radio whatsoever coz I just don't have the voice for it! In terms of writing, I've had a few opportunities presented to me but I'm still looking at how they will contribute to my growth so we'll see! Oh yeah, I would do City Pulse again if it meant I only went out when I want to!

ILife: Dankie… short left, good luck with the rest of your DESTINYation…

Catch Ms “Brown Shuga” on www.justcurious.co.za or Lelo Boyana on www.facebook.com

Iconic Life

Its true we gearing to go live....love and let live...the hottest blog is coming your way!