Style – Tadera

VB X MNG

I’ve always been a fan of Victoria Beckham. If ever I was going to be a Spice, I’d be Posh, no questions asked. LBD – check, high heels – why not? Bob – I could make it happen… Let’s be real, the Spice Girls remain iconic, did you see the video David Beckham posted from Victoria’s 50th last week?

Like every other Millennial, I’d been a fan of the Spice Girls from Wannabe right through to Viva Forever. Even after that, I followed Vicky Becks closely, wondering what her next big break would be. She published Learning to Fly in the early 2000s and even though I wasn’t big on reading, as a teenager, I made it through that autobiography cover-to-cover. Around the same time, she released her first solo album. You guessed it, I bought the CD.

Today, I can’t say I’m that big a fan of hers (or anyone else for that matter), but I’m not going to lie, I’ve been keeping tabs particularly on Victoria Beckham -the Fashion Designer. I low key think this is who she was supposed to be all along. Everything prior to that, was just a journey she needed to experience to arrive exactly where she is now.

Earlier this week, coinciding with their 40th anniversary, Mango released their collaboration with Victoria Beckham. The 55 piece collection covering womenswear, jewelry and footwear was inspired by La Piscine, a 1969 summertime film starring Jane Birkin (the collaboration video even shows the models jumping into a pool). Specifically, parallels are drawn between Jane Birkin’s character’s ease, natural beauty, femininity, and “a real sense of freedom”.

The collection is très chic with feminine and macho inspired looks all very much wearable. The vibes are more Spring than Summer, either way, VB and MNG kept it graceful, elegant, sophisticated. The collaboration was really a match made in style heaven given that both brands are so similar (save for the price point). It’s more of a surprise that this wasn’t done earlier.

Good Luck getting anything in stock though, from what I hear, items sold out in hours. Below are some of my favourite pieces from the collection.

Were you lucky enough to get your hands on any pieces? Let me know, would be great to hear your thoughts on the quality. I don’t doubt that it would be anything short of exceptional.

xXx

Ps: What’s everyone watching these days on Netflix or Prime? I need recommendations

Don’t Spend Time, Invest In It: Casio A168WE

With the new year often comes new resolutions. This year however, there’s been a trend of INs and OUTs and I’ve bought into it. Having compiled my 2024 INs and OUTs, I’ve noticed that a good chunk are centered around how I spend my time. What is that saying people preach…. “Time is a currency you can only spend once. Be careful how you spend it.” Yeah, that’s me this new year.

A couple of months back, Taiwo and I had a conversation about time. She was in my ear about how I spend it… advising me to relish in the moments I enjoy, letting the time pass and damning the consequences (within reason of course). Funny that advice came from her considering that she’s the one that bought Wura and I our Casios… The A168WE to be precise. It was supposed to be a gift for our -Taiwo & I’s- 35th birthday, but somehow, Wura was lucky enough to end up with one too.

The first time we owned Casio watches must have been 1997. It was a gift from our parents for our 10th birthday (if I remember correctly). We had matching pairs in dark purple and those watches did everything my 10yr old self required of any watch… they were fastidious in time telling – right down to the second, they reminded you of the day and date, the watch had an in-built alarm and was water resistant, but most importantly, at the touch of a button, it would light up, keeping you updated at the darkest hour. 10yr old K thought it was GENIUS! This time around, I opted for the silver watch, while Taiwo went for gold. Gbonju says the gold one reminds her of Del Boy from Only Fools and Horses, which had me cackling at the thought!

The Casio is so timeless, light, very simplistic, a little fun and heavy on nostalgia. It’s definitely a fave. I’m not sure that it ever really went out of fashion, but if it did, it’s safe to say it’s back and doing the rounds all over again.

What’s a nostalgic piece of jewelry that you own?

xXx

Ps: Is it still safe to say Happy New Year, or has that ship sailed?

Don’t Spend Time, Invest In It: Cartier Baignoire

I’ve never been a watch girlie. Always been wishy washy when it comes to time. You see, when it’s in my favour, I’ll tell you that I’m a stickler for time. Punctual. And when it goes against me, I’ll stand firm in the belief that time is a construct, an illusion. What I have found though, is that when I wear a watch, I’m more conscious of time and a tad more respectful of it.

Over the past year or so, my interest in watches has heightened. I can’t pinpoint the exact moment in which it happened, but I am increasingly aware of the rabbit hole I get lost in every time I see an instagram post, or a TikTok about time pieces. So, I’ve been inspired to post a series on my current faves beginning with my most recent obsession- the Cartier Baignoire.

Before we get into this, I acknowledge that Cartier is a jeweler. But for whatever reason, I have never been a fan of their infamous Love and Juste Un Clou bracelets. Just tooo cliché for me (the irony of this statement will be discovered in future posts). But their watches…! THEIR WATCHES!!!!! *Chef’s Kiss*

I’ve never known a watch to so succinctly capture my every desired essence quite like the Baignoire does. Its bracelet secures a careless grace in it’s loose fitting. It’s feline silhouette dances up and down the wrist with each gesture. So carefree and yet so calculating. The oval bezel is very much minimalist but somehow decorative in that it can be stacked with your finest gems without losing its significance, or worn in isolation in appreciation of its simple, yet rare beauty.

As is Cartier’s signature, the watch dial is outlined with the typical rail track and labeled in roman numerals, while the crown is set in sapphire. Pure class.

As a start, I’ll need to set aside c. US$12,000 to adorn my wrist with this 1958 beauty! But the REAL magic happens when you’re able to cough up US$50,000. Shout Out to my future husband for this one. I will no doubt be burning a hole in his credit card for this dime piece. I just need him to show up already… Tik… Tok… (pun intended).

Source: Cartier Website

Source: Cartier Website

What are your thoughts on my latest obsession?

Basic? Too much? Or right up your alley? Let me know…

xXx

Ps: What’s everyone doing for Christmas? I suspect this one will be reflective for me. Sooo thankful still. So, so thankful!

Jacquemus

[Un]Popular Opinion: cliché as it may sound, I think Pablo Picasso is a friggn LEGEND! And while we’re at it…. Cubism is in fact my favourite Art Movement.

———

Jacquemus is a young, talented, French, modern designer. His take on fashion is almost architectural in execution. He deconstructs objects, rebuilding sculpted masterpieces.

Jacquemus footwear was launched two years ago. His creative ingenuity in my opinion, borders on modern day Cubism. He leverages basic shapes and cleverly balances them to curate whimsical shoe perfection.

You see, the thing I love about Cubism is its ability to produce a conceptual image as opposed to the perceptual form. After all, I consider vision to be reassembled shapes built up to create depth and manipulated in form.

Jacquemus is only 29 and already pushing fashion boundaries. It’s a shame he’s put a stop to his quirky shoes. Regardless, I’m curious as to what he will unfold as he continues to rebuild, reinvent and rediscover.

Image result for jacquemus shoes — Les Mules Sao Mule
Source: Net-a-Porter

Pisa Mismatched Heels (my current favourites)
Source: Matches Fashion

Image result for cubism picasso — Picasso’s Weeping Woman
Source: The Tate

Who’s your designer of the moment?

What’s your favorite Art Movement?

xXx

Ps: Take my posts as they come and don’t question the [ir]regularity. After all, I’d like to think of myself as a creative 🙃

PPs: I’ve had my Nikon D3100 for 8years and only just decided to properly learn photography. So far, so fun!

PPPs: I made dumplings from SCRATCH yesterday. The result…? Meat pies! LOL

White Shirts & Whatnots

Growing up, a white shirt was a status symbol. It spoke at length in knowledge, uncovered depths of wisdom and expressed silent authority. Growing up, my Dad was not just the epitome of a white shirt, he was the very essence of it. It was the singular most dominant feature of his wardrobe and it could only ever be crisp… pristine… starched… SHARP! It earned him the nickname ‘GQ’ and in my book, anything short of this, just didn’t make the cut!

Naturally, as I progressed into the realm of employment, I too found the white shirt to be not just a staple, but supposedly critical for unattained heights of success. Accessorized with a Hermès 90×90 (*insert smug smile*), my white shirt wasn’t just my authority, it transformed to my cape! But I’ve since learned not to take life too seriously. SHARP! is nice, but as a lady, I much prefer my shirt (blouse?) to glide gracefully along my fashion scale, sliding from understated chic to refined grace.

Ever-adaptable, I often find that my white shirt is my blank canvas, capable of self-expression and open to my style interpretations. Somewhere between the flirty off shoulders, the hand stitched silks and the creaseless oxford cloth classics (Taiwo does this like a PRO!), I’ve found myself “at home” with this undeniable essential.

Below are my much desired white shirt chic goals

Tome | Open Back Shirt | My Chameleon — Source: The Chic Department

Cotton shirts are enjoying a new lease of life via architectural shapes. This neat bow detailing will nip in your waist too — Source: The Telegraph

I’ve learnt that maintenance is the greatest feat in owning a white shirt, but here’s a tip you (probably) didn’t know… they (Brooks Brothers, according to the WSJ) say your blend ratio shouldn’t exceed 60/40 Polyester/Cotton…. you can thank me later!

Ladies, have you invested in a white shirt? How does it work for you?

xXx

Ps: For those of you that don’t already know, I have Tory Lanez ‘Hypnotized’ on REPEAT!!!!

PPs: I can’t seem to decide if I want my hair in Senegalese twists or if I want to keep queening in my nappy ‘fro… thoughts?

She’s Back!

Hello Beautiful people!!!!

I know I’ve been MIA for a bit (a bit she says…) but I’m back and you’ll love it, I promise!

In the mean time, I’ll leave you all with a picture of me in what Nigerian’s call a Keke Napep! Talk about arriving in grand style…. LOL

xXx

Ps: It was my first time in a Keke Napep and I was too excited. I didn’t actually go for a ride, but the driver allowed me to pose in it… LOL

PPs: Forgive the picture quality…. I used my phone.

Renata

I have my own style. It’s specific to me (as style should be) and determined by my body shape, my height, my location and the occasion. The Virgo’s Lounge Renata dress is exactly my style. The draped back is my kind of understated drama and the v-neckline shows just the right amount of skin. VL’s trademark wrap slit opens up with every stride breaking the sea of glitzy blue to show off (freshly shaved) legs!!!

The VL Renata is my dream right now, I wish I was a June baby so I’d have a justifiable reason to purchase it….

What do you think of the VL Renata?

xXx

Ps: The ‘fro is out once again, so you guessed it! The next blog will be on my latest hair do… the “Drum”!