Hectic schedules

While many who do the same job as I complain about not having enough work, I find myself needing a double. Someone who looks just like me, speaks like I do, but most importantly, one who works like I do. Wishful thinking I know but wouldn't it be great?

On the real though, its great to have those loyal unwavering clients who speak up when they aren't happy and do the same when they are (which is more often I can assure you).

Then there are those who made sure I'm not their best well kept secret. Those who refer more clients to me and those who proudly tell their friends and family about Brown Stone Creations. We wouldn't be where we are if it wasn't for you.

So... In the spirit of giving back: look out for the December/January special.

XOXO

Respect

In my second year as a student at DUT (Durban University of Technology) I had the honour of being placed with an amazing designer for my 2 months on the job training.

This woman was and still is all round amazing. From her work to her personality to her style. I became an instant fan of her work. Being a white woman and being able to transform known African fabrics, such as shweshwe, into gorgeous modern wear that different age groups could identify with; keeping it clean cut and elegant where needed, she just inspired me.

Having a passion for prints myself I can't help but thank God for that hook up. This woman taught me so much without even knowing it. I appointed get as my mentor and never looked back. She has built business as not only a designer in her studio but as part owner of one of South Africa's best fashion boutiques, giving local designers a home to retail their clothes.
If you do not know her or about her, feel free to google her. Amanda Laird Cherry. I have nothing but respect for her.

A blessed Monday peeps.

BSC 2014 central library fashion show

The 2014 Central library fashion show pictures have finally arrived. It was an amazing experience and I would like to use this platform to thank all my models and assistants for their support and help.

To my models:
Thank you guys for all you did. some of you took time off from school and work without any compensation or expectations. You went beyond your call of duty as friends and family. Your craziness... my word! laughter all around. I appreciate and love yo u guys. Y'all made my year.
Aphelele
Anelisa
Gracious
Nthabi
Zenzo
Lebo
Ego
Cpo
Lindo
Manini
Thandie
Al
Csa
Anna
looking forward to the next show.

To Hlomela:
Hlom... where do I start? You soooo believe in me that you traveled all the way from Port Elizabeth just to witness the first BSC fashion show. Then you got here and became my Assistant, security guard, makeup artist, assistant photographer, cheerleader, and so much more. You're all round amazing.

To Csa:
Big sis, you assisted in putting together the outfits and putting in extra hours after your normal work hours to ensure that my range was finished on time. I appreciate the help.

To Mdu:
Driving me around and sacrificing your sleep just to transport me back home after long hours at the BSC studio, Thanx big bro.

To My parents:
you guys are just awesome. Your presence just does it for me.

To Bullz:
thanx for availing yourself to take my pics and support BSC. I know your schedule gets real but you still took the time out.

DJ Slash... need I say more?

And how could I forget Dee. Came all the way from Somerset to support a friend. Thank you shlobo.

More pictures are in the album.

Central Library fashion week exhibition day 2

Kept it low key and professional. Need I say more?

I did meet a number of interesting people. From drama peeps to poets and accountants (throwing librarians in the mix. Lol).

The day ended with an hour with Sipho Kotobason Ndebele. Yes he is my brother but he is also a budding professional poet based in Cape Town, South Africa. The session started with an audience of not more than 5 people. By the time he was on his second piece all the seats had been filled some people were standing along the edges. Before he even got to half of his set the library came to a stand still.

He had a friend from his Poetry collective (Exodus Klan) called Percy and together they spoke pictures of peace and love, racial awareness or rather how we shouldn't have racial decides, social consciousness, romance, and soooo much more. Felt really inspired.

Ps: the review is true and unbiased.

And that was the end of the exhibition day.
Then the fashion show.

XOXO

Day 1

The day long awaited has arrived. The central library fashion week starts today with exhibitions by amazing local designers. The unknowns. The guys who still do it for the love of fashion.

I'm exited and hopeful. Meeting more people in my trade can only be amazing and eye-opening. I can't wait to see what everyone else has to offer.

If you are in Cape Town today and have a few minutes to spare, do join us. If not for the love of fashion, do it for the love of the people who work so hard to put clothes on your back (not your provider, the designers).

See you there!
XOXO

Count down

Its 7 days to the beginning of the fashion week, which is essentially 5 working days till we settle at out exhibition table.

I am super excited and nervous at the same time. While I have all the male models I need for the show on friday, their outfits are still in my head. As for the ladies... I am 3 girls down. #sigh. 1 can't make it because of work. Bosses just decide to slot in training at such an disrespectful time (disrespectful to me. Lol). The other just isn't confirming and the last is nonexistent.

Problem: the 2 outfits have been made and require a specific look. The joys and thrills of being a designer.

I am however SUPER EXCITED to see what the other designers are bringing to the show! Met some of them last Friday. Such vibey characters.

If you are not at work or school, make sure you're at the library.

XOXO

Way too tight!

Yesterday as I was walking in town during lunch time a met an interesting looking guy. He was tall and dark. Well built. Not too buff but just enough for his height to carry. The first thing I noticed was how well he was dressed. His outfit from waist up was 110% spot on. Just the right amount of class in his crisp white slim fit shirt and elegance in his brown and grey woollen blazer. With a splash of colour coming through in his choice of pocket square. Everything looked good from where I was standing.

Although he wasn't the most good looking fellow I've seen before, the brother looked well taken care of. Our conversation was interesting as well. Not shallow and self obsessed but not too inquisitive either. Just the right amount of confidence and humour to hold a mature casual conversation.

It is only when he turned to walk away that my attention was rudely drawn to the pants that had been chosen to accompany such an effortlessly stylish outfit. This is my opinion. Not the gospel. Just my opinion. Men wear tights for a few reasons such as sports and I'm not really sure what else but I highly doubt that once the fabric changes from Lycra to denim they still serve their purpose. I was left wondering how this flawless stranger could have gotten into the pants he was wearing.

Skin tight is not a word that should be used to describe a man's pants. Let's keep it classy gentlemen and take care of your assets while you're at it. Don't be your own victim

XOXO

Another first

I have always been one of those designers who loved watching fashion shows and basking in the glow of creativity from other designers. Getting the rush from the use of colours, shades, silhouettes, textures, etc. I always believed that BSC should be about clothing that can be worn by "normal" people without having to think really hard about it and awkwardly sticking out like a sore thumb.

Surprisingly, when the opportunity to be part of the Cape Town Central Library Fashion Week came I didn't think twice about. Infact I got really excited about it. The decision now is how real to be on that runway. To stay true to the BSC look or to go crazy with clothes that no-one can wear afterwards.

If you want to find out, come check us out at the fashion week. Exhibitions on the 13th and 14th of August and the fashion show on the 15th, starting at 3pm. No cover charge. Tell a friend and bring a friend with.

Last monday of the month

Brown Stone Creations has officially been at the new premises, 5th floor of 7 Anton Anrieth arcade, Foreshore, Cape Town, for two full months. Yeah guys I finally know my address. Took a while.

Taking time to reflect, it is very evident that only God could have led, carried and pulled us through to where we are right now. It is about time we stopped taking all the credit and paying it to where it is due. So today I'm dedicating this blog post to the one and only God I serve. The Alpha and Omega. The "root and seed" as Kazi puts it. The All-knowing, All-mighty, Ever-present, unchanging, the "Spear, Sword and Shield. The Warrior" as Sipho says. The Author and finisher of my faith. The one who wrote my life even before I was a concept.

Thank you Father for your guidance and love. Let me never forget who is in charge lest I steer this ship in the wrong direction. I praise you for all you have done in my life.

The electronic wonder

I still don't get how phone calls work. How you can press a few numbers and be able to speak (real time) with someone in the next room or all the way accross the world. A friend tried explaining it to me. Said something about waves and signals and towers. Still don't get it.

But either way, its working. And what's even better is the fact that technology allows me to do Brown Stone Creations work on the train to work. Just this morning I have connected via Whatsapp with clients in 2 different continents VERY far from Africa and I get instant responses. So thanx to you, whoever you are, who keeps improving my business without even knowing it.

Here's to waves and towers and satellites and the works.

Exodus Klan & Passion 4 Christ Movement

I'm travelling to work alone today because Sipho has to deliver some tickets for the Speak Life show featuring P4CM and EK. Let me rephrase that: 2 of the P4CM members will be hosted by True Souldier at their quarterly Speak Life event. Exodus Klan is the local poetry outfit that will be featured in the same show. If you don't know either of these, google, youtube, or ask me. But don't sit around and do nothing. This is some life changing stuff. Tickets are still available (I think).

Anyway, I'm super excited about this because word has it that Brown Stone Creations will be dressing/styling EK for the gig. WORD! Brown Stone Men has been born. Maybe. Just maybe Vocal Family will also make an appearance on the night, also dressed by BSC. Just a hunch. Exciting things are happening and its all thanx to God.

So be there. If not for the poetry, for the fashion. Preferably for both.
XOXO

Interesting situations

Its the 1st official work day for this month (nevermind that I was at work yesterday) and I'm looking forward to the day. My "roomie" is scheduled to move and I am to have the whole studio to myself, I have awesome dresses to make today, and I'm inlove... With BSC. Happy space indeed.

1. The queue leading to the train ticket window was unbelievable. But Mdu and I made a plan to get to Bellville where we waited for the delayed train in the dark.

2. Train eventually arrives and for the 1st time since I started using it, some music is playing. Awesome! Not. The song selection is amazingly inappropriate and too loud. I feel like I'm in a Durban taxi only it was very appropriate then.

3. With the loud music playing, the train has beeeeen parked outside our destination for almost 20 minutes. People in the train next to ours are jumping out and running on the tracks. There isn't any movement in our train. Snobs.

4. Then I get a Whatsapp message from the ex roomy who was supposed to move yesterday that she can't move today either. Cramps she says.

But for some reason I'm still smiling. I realise that life could be worse. Like Jamie once said: "you can either choose to react to life or respond to it." Well I choose a positive response. I am happy to be alive! And so should you.

God please guide and keep us through today.

Everyday my younger brother and I wake up before the sun and make our way to the new studio. It has been a good experience thus far. God has continually been opening doors. We are still adjusting to the sensation of a new workspace but it is thoroughly welcome. Brown Stone Creations is growing and exciting things are happening. It is a special thing to watch your dreams come true one stitch at a time. There are of course a few challenges on the way but we are building a dynasty that can one day be left for the children one day, maybe. Until that day comes Brown Stone will just keep making the world pretty, one person at a time.

Photo Shoot results

A few weeks back I mentioned that Brown Stone Creations was having its first ever shoot... Well it happened. And I missed it. The model (Anna Chakara) and the photographer (Vaughan Petersen) decided to go off and do their thing. Safe to say they did a great job. I am super excited and grateful to them for being very professional and creative about it. Here are a few pictures for you to sample. Do give us your opinion. All items are BSC originals and are available upon order at brownstonec@gmail.com.

Life changing decisions

Ever since Brown Stone Creation started, way back when it was MaNdebele Designs, I have worked from home. I figured it is a convenient location.

1. I could roll out of my bed and get straight into it. Or I could sleep in and make up for the time lost later in the day.

2. I don't pay rent for the space I use so all the money made is mine.

3. I can wear whatever I want to wear to work, then occasionally clean up/dress up for a client appointment.

4. I don't worry about running out of food at work.

While all these points are good and awesome reasons to continue invading my mama's kitchen/dining room, the time has come for me to do the right thing.

1. Rolling out of bed for work means I work in a dreamy state for half the time. And I have to do house chores during work hours.

2. Not paying rent means I'm sometimes careless with BSC money thinking its my own.

3. Not having to dress up means I can lose my image without even noticing (what kind of does that?).

4. Food just expands the body. Take it from me, that not a good thing.

So...I am currently looking for a new home for Brown Stone Creations where she can call the shots and be grown up. Just like you cant stop an infant from becoming a toddler, there is no stopping BSC from growing.
Please do visit once the new home has been found.

XOXO

Always a first time

In life everyone has to experience a first. First word, first step, first kiss, first time wearing a bra (lol), first pay cheque, first car, first home, first love, first Brown Stone Creations item... had to add that!

The first I am experiencing currently is the first preparation period for my first ever photo shoot! Excited as I am I think the model and the photographer are WAY more serious about things. It is an exciting time for Brown Stone C and I am happy to have reached such a point.

To those who will be visiting me to try and catch a glimpse of what the wardrobe looks like; you're going to have to search the whole house. Best kept secret...

Here's to the first time...

XOXO

Ungrateful clients

Have you ever had that one client that assumes that because they are your regular client they get preferential treatment? Or the one client that was your friend then became a client; the one that expects "friendly" rates and forgets that you are running a business?

Well recently I've had to deal with both. They left me drained and second guessing myself. Those 2 chapter have been officially closed and Brown Stone Creations has taken a new stand. You book your time, pay for the services at standard rates, and we all remain happy.

It hasn't been all gloomy though. There are regular clients as well as what I classify as friend clients that not only abide by the rules but make it all worthwhile. To those ladies that appreciate BSC and have a good working relationship with me, let's soldier on looking as pretty, sophisticated, and absolutely gorgeous as ever.

BSC
XOXO