Milnerton Market

by Kate Posted on May 14, 2012

On Sunday I had a good ol’ meander around the Milnerton market with my friend Leah. Neither of us had been in ages and, in fact, the last time we went was together, so it was something of a reunion. We went armed with cash and five or six stalls in it became apparent that we had subconsciously arrived with some serious shopping in mind.

The greatest thing about the Milnerton market – besides the hidden treasures and the visual delight it inevitably provides – is the fact that you can go with R300 in your pocket and leave with a stash of gems that will make you smile each time you lay eyes on them. We spent three hours pottering up and down, turning old enamel jugs over in the light, discussing the merits of a unicorn-shaped key hanger (a no) and taking in everything from kaleidoscopes to ancient water coolers made in India and copper plates inlaid with silvered hieroglyphics (an almost yes).

These are the things I came away with. 

Intricate butter dish, R60. Leah and I almost came to blows over this because we were both on the hunt for a butter dish and I spotted it first. Aint nothin’ like a little healthy vintage competition.

Rose gold shell mould – a gift for Miss Crystal Birch. She already owns three pineapples and two fish and is using them decoratively on her kitchen walls.

Old boxing kangaroo toy, R2.

Dainty floral bell – a R5 addition to my vintage bell collection.

Austen’s Pride & the Prejudice – I love the patterned cover. I collect classics (even the ones that I really don’t love, like Middlemarch!) This hardcover beauty was R5.

Betty Boop pin, R5. I’m a huge Betty Boop fan and would love to add more to my retro Boop-themed collection. If you ever see anything vintage that falls into this category, please let me know!

70s sugar bowl, R45.

Tin leaf shaped bowl. Retro cool for R25.

Powder compact with fur inlay, R25.

 

 

 

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Fashion 9 to 5

by Kate Posted on April 25, 2012

My posts have been few and far between for a while now, due in part to a demanding (but great) new job and also a desire to allow myself a little space to breathe. I love my blog, and find such delight in writing things here – the idea that the energy that used to go into my blog is new being repurposed is a little unsettling. I think each and every one of us wants to have our thing – that thing that’s a statement to the rest of the world about ourselves; the thing that’s not work, or home, or other people.

I take great comfort in the fact that some of that energy is used, weekly, to create fashion content at Woolworths head office in the form of a feature called Fashion Trend. Together with the Trends team, my team and I come up with little fashion vignettes that we shoot downtown, edit and publish. It’s all done in-house and the best thing about it, is that it features all the different faces that make up fashion and trend at Woolies. Buyers, designers, brand managers, all with their own unique style, take time out of their days to set aside being camera-shy and let us style and order them about for an hour or two.

We’ve taken pictures in the delivery depot downstairs, in the car park underground, strutting down Plein Street and sipping coffees outside Deluxe on Church, usually with hordes of people zigzagging into shot on their way across town, or gawking at us from behind their glasses. It’s really fun.

I don’t usually punt the Woolworths brand on The Pessimiss, but I love doing these features and I hope you like them, too. Look out for them every Friday on the Woolworths Facebook page and let me know what you think.

The posts pictured above feature design assistants Ilhaam, Puleng and Tina; buying assistant Beatrice; trends manager Alison and head of menswear design, Umashan – all fashion and style devotees in their own right.

 

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Let’s Take It Outside

by Kate Posted on April 25, 2012

 

This is what I wore to the coolest party I’ve been to in Cape Town in ages last weekend – Converse’s Let’s Take It Outside. It had all the good stuff – Biggie meets the Fugees meets Badu, a dash of deep house in the middle, wild dancing to Phoenix on an uneven floor, outdoor lamplight, fun ‘n games, legions of cool people and a really wild, unpretentious atmosphere.

Wearing: My flat mate’s custom-made men’s tee rolled at the sleeve, metallic DVF mini from Stock Exchange, Country Road best-ever-boots, gold Cassie Blye neckpiece, essential Carling Black label can.

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Charlotte Linton A/W 2012

by Kate Posted on April 11, 2012

 

Another delightful, conversation-starting collection from scarf and textile madam Charlotte Linton.

This time, Ermantrude goes to Greenland. Indeed.

I previously wrote about Charlotte here and here and also, here. Okay, so I’m a little obsessed… but have you seen these prints?!

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Antiquainted.

by Kate Posted on April 8, 2012

Bunting, old lace, ditsy print dresses, second hand books, twee cardigans, vintage candy stripes, grosgrain ribbons, broderie anglaise, lace and floral print scarves, bird motifs, plastic cameos, mass-produced brogues.

Quaint. I’m so over it.

For the past few years, mainstream brands have been clogged with the stuff – faux vintage, purposefully weathered and rustic to stir up a sense of nostalgia and authenticity. A call back to simpler times. It rings hollow for me. Shapeless brogues smothered in twee florals, pleather and plastic, have become the go-to shoe when it comes to looking casual cool.

This ‘vintage’ look has permeated the streets, special occasions, big events and everything from typography on invitations and posters to signage and decor. It makes me think of personal style and wonder about the little idiosyncrasies that signal individuality. Where do they disappear to when it comes to trends? Do we let enough of our true tastes, histories and characters withstand the overwhelming tide of trends? I’m not so sure. It makes me want to burn a line of bunting and drape it around my neck as a talisman of trends gone by!

It also makes me yearn for something new. Something untainted by the quaint.

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