Say Hello: Fanele Love

Over the past year I've met (virtually or otherwise) a number of women interested in African fashion & arts specifically.  One of them is Fanele Love! Her blog Fashion et Al is a must read for me but also she shares so much through her facebook page-- links, pictures etc. She works so hard to bring some amazing content and share the beauty of African fashion. I asked her a few questions to learn more about her and what she does.

When did you start blogging &Why?

I began blogging continuously last year around October [2009]. Initially I used the blog as a way of channeling thoughts towards something light and positive. At the time, I was going through major changes, I was a new mother and the territory came with unprecedented challenges. I have always loved art and history, even though I study Economics. The blog took on a life of its own, combining these loves into fashion, and the rest is history.

Why the focus on African Fashion?

I have lived abroad for 4 years now, and this has enhanced my love and appreciation for my region in a way that would not have happened had I not left. In Swaziland, unless you are in a particular industry, news does not travel much. If there is a fashion show in Jozi, there will be a one minute feauture in the evening news, and thats it. So when I was thrust into the world of Internet media, I discovered this huge and exciting and incredibly talented world of African fashion. It was like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I was amazed how, right next door in South Africa, so much has been going on that I had no idea of. Sure, I'd heard of Stoned Cherrie and Sun Goddess, but through the blog, I discovered so many designers who were equally innovative! I decided to use the blog to advertise these artist, so that others who are still unaware of the talent we have become aware, and more importantly, show support. I believe that art is an essential part of any developing and modernizing society, and where I come from it is unfortunately overlooked and ridiculed, simply because it is not understood.

How do you source content for your blog?

I began by reading the more popular blogs such as Bella Naija and Farai. Through such cites, I got to know about designers, whom I then promptly looked up on Facebook. Most designers have pages there, and on these they have links to their websites and blogs. So do most magazines. Apart from that, I read a lot of magazines, and each time I check the names of the editors, whom I also look up on Facebook. Fashion editors and stylists often have blogs too, for example Mboko Mobutu of GHUBAR magazine. I also check out websites such asafricafashioninternational.com , ifashion.co.za, hautefashionafrica.com where they post the hottest talent, review shows, and put up high quality images from shows. I am fluent in French, and this has exposed me to fashion magazines in France such as GHUBAR and FASHIZBLACK which are a great source of material.

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What do you ultimately want to do in this industry? What other projects are you currently involved in?

I have been blogging on fashion for about 9 months now, and my own passion for it has surprised me! Honestly, I have been going with the flow, following my passion where it takes me. Earlier this year, I organized  the forst ever African-Caribbean "Native Touch" Fashion Show on my campus (University of Chicago). I am not a designer or a stylist, so the creative side is not for me. I think at the moment, the trajectory leads to publishing, so working for a magazine. I enjoy reporting on trends and shows, but at the same time I am very interested on the business of fashion. I am still looking for an opportunity to explore this, and eventually, this is where I would like to end up.

At the moment, I am working with a group in Swaziland called So Fresh (it's still under wraps but its a clothing label meaning Swazi Origin Fresh that will launch a line of streetwear clothing that has not been seen in the small kingdom).

Where do you get your sense of style? What is your go to outfit if you have 15 minutes?

My sense of style is still evolving. Before I wrote about fashion, I discussed a lot about the "knowledge of the self" and this is something I am still doing. Style only comes when you kniw who you are, what you like and don;t like, and this allows you to be comfortable with yourself. When you get to this point, then you know how to dress for your body in  way that is not especially influenced by trends.

That being said, I've noticed that I am a minimalist. I like clean lines, a tailored look. I have a lot of black, but of late I've been growing to appreciate nudes, and a particular shade of blue! When I have 5 minutes, I throw on a tank with a high-waisted black skirt, a small black jacket, leopard print flats with cute red detailing at the front, earrings, and a slim, qulted black purse.

Thank you so much to Fanele for taking the time out to answer these questions. Visit her blog www.fanelelove.blogspot.com and find her on Facebook Fanele Love!