I was beholden when I came images by photographers Chris Saunder’s and Nontsikelelo Lolo Veleko of South African Street Stylings, I was instantly smitten.The bold color combinations, the contrasting patterns and graphic designs, and geek chic stylings of South African youths. It’s amazing to think of more traditional African tribal patterns (bold, geometric, vibrantly colored) and to see how many qualities are remaining, while the style has become very contemporary and so very hip….
Is it just me, or do we see a lot of emphasis on black clothing in a lot of Western Street Style? Yet, when we look at African and Eastern Street Style (especially in India and Japan), the style seems much more vibrant, colorful, and playful… I tend to take more notice when anyone can remix and match their colors and patterns in such fresh ways…
Via Black Cigarette (check it out for more & larger images!)
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
This is cool!
.-= RottenFresh´s last blog ..Band of Outsiders, Fall – Winter ‘09 Jason Schwartzman =-.
I love the vibrancy and life in these photos!
.-= Fajr| Stylish Thought´s last blog ..What I Wore: Limo Ride of Debauchery =-.
These photos are fantastic!
I agree, there is so much all-black in western style. It’s refreshing to see such bright colors being mixed together. Very cool.
.-= Alicia´s last blog ..An Ill-Informed Redux =-.
I love these images so much! I love getting to see a peek of how others show their fashion sense! Thanks for sharing!
.-= Pretty Robotic´s last blog ..Shrimp, Chickpea, Tomato & Mushroom Sauce with Zucchini & Summer Squash Pasta =-.
All of the photos are fabulous! I’m totally with you – I think there’s way too much all black clothing in Western fashion. I don’t know if people are afraid of trying more color for fear of looking tacky, or because they’re intimidated by color, but I wish there was more of it!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Daily Outfit 9/13/09 =-.
The colours are jumping out with so much life and energy! Loving it so much. .. Japanese street style is also very colourful and very individual style…
.-= elusive_elfin´s last blog ..Kawaii PrintOuts =-.
I’m from Cape Town in South Africa and on any given day in the city there are some of the best dressed people you will ever see….Cape Town is all about colour and expression…if you ever get a chance you should go.
I love this article!!! Thanks
Laura
xxx
http://sideshow-scrapbook.blogspot.com
.-= Laura Charlotte´s last blog ..London Fashion Week Independent and Pop-up shows =-.
Elusive, you’re so right about Japanese style! I could write a whole blog about how great the style & fashions are over there…
Laura, that’s so amazing! I love the internet for getting to interact with amazing, fashionable people all over the world… it’s like, watch out fashion, global style is taking over!
Alicia & Michelle, I’m not sure what it is about us Westerners and black, but there sure is a lot of it! I think the whole business suit mentality doesn’t help, either…
some of the photos you have posted are NOT by chris saunders, they are by a south african photographer named nnontsikelelo lolo veleko. i wrote about her work on my blog last november….and i have seen that these photos are going around right now with incorrect credit, so i thought i’d pipe up.
here’s the post i did on her last year:
http://bitsandbobbins.com/2008/11/03/nnontsikelelo-lolo-veleko-beauty-is-in-the-eyes-of-a-beholder/
.-= tricia royal´s last blog ..no w_r’s o’ the week this week… =-.
Thanks for the head’s up, Tricia! I had wondered why several of these weren’t on Saunder’s website, but I assumed it was a change of portfolio or such. I’ve added credit to her as well!