Personal Style Interview: Sarah

Sarah at one point sat in front of me in class and was a food prefect so our circle of friends could enjoy extra potatoes on certain days! Hahahah you can laugh but that was a big luxury! Sarah is very stylish  and it's an honor to have her on my blog. She is a mummy to an equally stylish baby boy.

Some say fashion is cyclical; others see it as a constant reinvention of taste. But no matter how you look at it, style is always personal.

 1. Outfit for a night out:   

The yellow peplum top and jeans. It’s comfortable; I don’t have to worry about my legs feeling coldJ).

2. For lounging around you throw on.  

The orange hi-lo dress. Its comfortable…I can breastfeed in it as it has the buttons at the frontJ) plus you can just throw in nice doll shoes or wedges in case the boyfriend wants us to go for lunch with the baby.

3. Which motto do you most relate to?

	The more things change, the more they stay the same.
	Variety is the spice of life.

	Wear your heart on your sleeve.
	Fortune favors the bold.

You can never be too rich or too thin.

4. What’s your signature makeup look?

Gold eye shadow and eyeliner and mascara…its simple easy to do and looks pretty. My new favorite is red lips and abit of subtle eye makeup…

5. If you could only wear one piece of jewelry it would be?

Statement earrings. Unique African, contemporary, fancy button earings. This are my new favouriteJ) they make me look like a goddess with a simple bun hairstyle…..oh and neck pieces I looooove colourful bright neck  jewelleryJ)ohyou said oneJ)

6. What would you wear for a typical day at work? 

My typical day at work is jeans and flat shoes..as I walk a lot looking for paper so I need to be comfortable and have to move fast. I really don’t have to dress up too much as a graphic designer but I have to be presentable when I'm meeting clients especially

7. What is your favorite accessory?

Hmmmm that’s a hard one…shoes and jewellery.

8. Who do you consider your celebrity fashion icon?

Hmmm....i won’t mention all the fancy names as I have no clue…plus I like working with people or things that are accessible and you can work with or work around…however I like how Tia & Tamera the sisters dress, Kourtney Kardashian…locally Patricia Kihoro…I like how she seems to have something African in her outfit most times. As I also love African prints, accessories…Sana.

10. Describe the underwear you are wearing RIGHT NOW

Haha…pass

11. What is your age group? Early twenties? Mid twenties? Late twenties? In your thirties? In your forties?

mmmmm…late twentiesJ)

12 What is your occupation?

Graphic and jewelry designer

13. Are you a parent? And if so does it have an impact in your style

Yes, am a mummy to a lovely boy Leo. He is 1 yr and 5 months.It has an impact on my style because if am going to a place with him I have to wear dresses or tops that I can breast feed in…and I prefer flats because I worry falling when am carrying him in heelsJ) he is a boy you knowJ so much action and energy

14. Are you married and if so does it affect your style?

Not married.

15. What you would never be caught dead in?

Harem pants. I don’t think they look good on me and micro mini’sJ)

16. What’s one trend or look that really irritates you?

Hmmm..can’t think of any at the top of my head. But people who wear clothes that don’t suit their body style just because its in fashion….not goodJ)

17. What inspires your style?

African themes, kitenge,prints and colour colour colour!!

18. Your best physical feature or one you get most compliments?

Hmm my faceJ) am told am prettyJ))…..vanity nayoJ)

19. Last outfit your bought?

My graduation dress. PrettyJ

20. Your personal style in one word

Classic

21. Worst look you ever wore?

Orange baggy jeans when I was in primary school…horrible…the shade was just wrong…plus instead of looking colour inspired it looked like a horrible fashion accident….you could hear me screaming just by looking at the picJ)

22. A look that you always find attractive in the opposite sex?

Slim fit suits…yumJ)

23. What is weird about you?

Hmmm…sisemiJ))gosh that’s tough…

24. What is unique about you?

I have an eye for creative things…in my own style.

Accessories: The Balancing Act

The whole universe operates on a system which is in balance or else chaos ensues. The human body follows that same rule, oxygen which is vital for life when in excess in the body is fatal; similarly water taken in excess overworks the liver to such levels that it may fail. This rule of balance should also be applied when accessorizing. One of my biggest pet peeves is over-accessorizing. Nairobi women are very notorious in wearing all the accessories they own.  Accessories, like spices and herbs in food, should enhance your look and not be the main element.

Women often overlook other aspect of their whole look when accessorizing. Your hair when done in an intricate manner does form part of your accessory, your nails when done in colorful or neon colors , your watch, your bag and shoes. All those have to be taken into consideration. Makeup is also not to be forgotten. When we talk of accessories most people jump to earrings and neck pieces yet as in all else you have to look at the overall picture to get a clear view of what you’re working with. Another issue to be considered is the article of clothing you are wearing. Does it have bold prints and patterns?  For halter-neck dresses and tops, you have to be careful as regards the type of accessories you will be wearing, same as one shoulder pieces, its not one size fits all, ladies. Be shrewd and again the mirror is your friend but only if you've disciplined yourself to edit your looks in a way that flatters you.

 At an award ceremony last year, I was responsible for the numerous wardrobe changes the two hosts had to make during the show. At one point the lady insisted that she had to wear both her chunky neck piece and her chandelier earrings; something I was very opposed to as her outfit was already very detailed. I tried to compromise with her requesting her to choose one accessory of the two but she wouldn't listen saying she was from a particular community who were known for 'over the top' dressing and accessorizing. While I have heard of this claim, it is no excuse for you as an individual to spoil your whole look in the name of its part of your community, the only exception being you’re wearing a costume or participating in a traditional event. What is your brand and when people encounter you, what message do you want them to take home and share with others as regards who you are. The answers to those questions should be a guide to your personal style.

Another Faux pax most Kenyan ladies are fond of is the idea of wearing all your accessories in one colour. It astonishes me that in this day and age where all forms of colour blocking has been showcased; some would choose to do such an outdated trend!  What these ladies don’t know is that it makes you look dated and really part of some table decor.  While following trends is not advisable but neither is sticking to some which have left with the century. If you hate trends then stick to timeless classic pieces. My rule of thumb is that the maximum number of accessories that should match in colour is two!

Most women have one form of accessory that is their favourite be it earrings, neck pieces, rings, bangles, shoes, belts as some of the few. A few others will like two forms but in all those, you will find one form as their favourite and their go-to pieces. Mine are earrings. I have a section of my walls dedicated to earrings. Wherever I travel, I look for unique earrings and I love unique handmade pieces. As such all other accessories are secondary to those earrings in my dressing with a few exceptions when an outfit I’m wearing calls for an elaborate hairdo or needs a neck piece. So do accessorize but in a balanced flattering manner.

254 Pride

Once in a while I give myself permission to just roam around cyberspace looking at fashion pieces and websites. Today I decided to stick to Facebook pages specifically fashion products from Kenya, or by Kenyans . It's taken me hours but as I've been saying, the best talent in 254 is young and is often unknown or overlooked by the media who keep focusing on the few old and rather outdated designers. Below are just but a few pieces that I really liked. Made in Kenya. I'm so proud :-)

Pink Bush

Pink Bush

Urban Phunk

FAFA

Anil Padia

Ankara Vintage

Ankara Vintage

La Mar

Photoshoot: The unedited pics