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New York By Way of South Africa – Lungile Magubane

Let’s face it – you’re the best South African export since diamonds. How would you describe your style?
Modernistic Afrocentric, if that makes sense. I dress however I feel on that day, and look for items in shops that most people would think is hard. I like to infuse a lot of where I come from, with all the beads and color. Rainbow Nation, Afrocentric, modern …bubbly, very bubbly.  I like to wear a lot of bracelets.
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Oh, trust us, we know all about your awesome bracelet-collection! What exactly attracts you to African-inspired designs?
African style is totally fearless. [Africans] wear a lot of colors, patterns, prints, textiles, fabrics all at once, and it doesn’t look stupid. In fact, every thing complements the other. …It’s very alive, and tells a story without having to explain anything.
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So where can we find clothes inspired by the Motherland right here in New York City?  Where do you shop, girl?!
Everywhere!  I’m a very impulsive shopper, if it’s under $10 I’ll buy it.  I’m broke right now, so today I spent ten dollars in quarters to buy stuff at Angel Thrift Store on 17th street!
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One thing you’d NEVER wear?
That’s a difficult one: bellbottoms.  I’m already a really short person.  They make your legs look stubby and add unnecessary weight… leggings are the way to go.
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What can’t you live without?
A U-Neck American Apparel [BodyCon] dress.  I have about 8 colors of the same dress.  [Also], I’m such a fiend for nail polish.  I probably have about 50 colors, but Essie Mint Candy Apple.
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…And what item are you in a desperate hunt for?
I’m desperate for a pair  of Jeffrey Campbell wedges – ones that don’t look ridiculous on small feet.
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Profilin'

Beads, beads, good for your heart…

Beads, beads, good for your heart, the more you eat, the more you… huh?

I’ve gone crazy for beads (if I wasn’t already crazy for them). I recently took a trip down to a coastal city called Durban which is in a province called Kwa-Zulu Natal, which basically means Zulu Kingdom, i.e. where my tribe (the Zulus) reign from.

Women make a living off of creating gorgeous beaded pieces which includes jewelry, crafts and other cool things. I found my heaven! I bought beaded sandals, bracelets and even a beaded spectacles holder (is that what it’s called?).

I thought I was good at making beaded art and such…Not after I saw the work that these women do. Every single bead is put on one by one, by hand, by candle light!

Can you spell M.E.T.I.C.U.L.O.U.S?

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Profilin'

v.i.n.t.a.g.e

Heaters like that are outdated and deemed a fire hazard, but hell in temperatures of 5ºC and less—I think I’ll take that chance. Anyway, I’ve been looking for “like-minded” people. Haven’t found them just yet. Trends are followed, not exactly set. However there are treasures to be found in thrift shopping!

The gorgeous blouse in the photograph was bought for a measly R30 in a little second hand shop in Jozi*, which exchanges to about $5!
I felt very reminiscent of a sophisticated misfit.

*Jozi: nickname for the city of Johannesburg

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Interviews

Subzero Temperatures Have Nothing On Us

Meet Amahle*. [I don’t expect anyone to be able to pronounce that.]
Let’s try that again shall we?

Meet Amahle. My South African, fashion savvy, best friend who lives in Beijing and speaks Chinese. Yes. My South African friend who speaks Mandarin. Looks like the leather jacket transcends borders, along with the vintage felt hat and the red lipstick.

We were at a house party. And we stood out like a zit the night before prom. A unique swag. Non-conformists UNITE!
*Amahle: A Xhosa name meaning, beauty.

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Fashion

Swagger Trends – Africana

In NYC, everyone’s got World Cup FIFA!  From shirts to shorts, South Africa’s made its way into the City’s threads like never before.  But no trend is more noticeable than the African beaded bangles popping up on kids Uptown and Downtown alike.  Take our Profilin’ girl Lungile, a South-African/New-Yorker who wears the bracelets religiously and our latest find, Isaac, who spices up a pretty simple outfit with a little wrist-flair.  Be on the lookout for your own piece of Africa.  Score!

Want to party in NYC after the World Cup Finals? Join Talib Kweli and others at a concert in Brooklyn. Here’s more info.

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Interviews

Profilin’: I Bleed Six Colours…

THE FIFA WORLD CUP HAS BEGUN!

11th June 2010. An incredible day not only for FIFA, but for Africa. New York is alive with football fever. I see flags of all the 32 countries swaying in the strange wind. It’s different this time round. And I think it has everything to do with the fact that it’s in my country.

I also had quite a good time “swagging” up my team apparel:

Style is everywhere–even when we scream like our voice boxes are indestructable and act like hooligans.

I’m ready. Question is…are you?

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