RVCA launches Artist Network Program ANP

RVCA is finally launching their Artist Network Program in South Africa. This is a noble cause - unlike most lifestyle brands that use 'artist' culture as a springboard for marketing, RVCA has a longstanding initiative called the ANP that supports, develops and enables creative souls to keep doing what they do best, without having to sell out or compromise on integrity. The ANP aims to give back by providing a voice for the creative growth of the artists and musicians it represents.

If you can make it (and onto the guest list), check out this event at the Labia in Cape Town on the 17th of May. Artists represented by RVCA's ANP are Taxi Violence, Haasbroek, Jade Klara and Senyol.

Icon du jour - Jade Castrinos

Jade Castrinos is the Jade whom Alexander Ebert from Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes has written many songs for. Her muse status is unquestionable. Always slightly more shy and outshone by Alex in the Magnetic Zeroes, Jade's voice is Janis, Joni, PJ Harvey - and then some. She's is massively inspirational. And she looks like and reminds me so much of my dear friend Serena.

Also, have a listen to Alexander Ebert's self-titled solo album. More to bemuse <3

Ginka in a tunnel and a sunset over the Thames

Taken with my BB curve. Impressed by its camera.

SA shooters: Jesse-Leigh Elford part 1

Jesse-Leigh Elford's beauty photography stands out in an often samey-looking discipline. He captures his thoroughbred subjects thoughtfully and with precise technical skill. Yet all these images seem caught in the moment rather than orchestrated and staged. Go Jesse.

The pictures are retouched and processed by Juanel vd Walt, a friend I studied with at Vega and a very gifted thinker and designer.

www.jesseleighelford.com/beauty

The most magic vintage find

Dress, belt and Bailey Hat all lucky vintage discoveries.

I love that in London you get chain stores that re-sell vintage (albeit slightly overpriced) but really great for leather skirts and denim jackets. This ensemble (not the belt) is from Rokit.

It's my Easter Sunday look <3

Look

The daily

A moment in London

It seems that life is forever more side tracking me, pulling me towards the observation of, but seldom the translation onto the page - this will change. This must change!

Yes. So I am in London. It's big, and grey for the most part. There are so many people and everyone does their own daily stampede to and fro. It's thrilling and I am revelling in the challenge of making my own way here. I see everything, register even more, love to eavesdrop - it's quite fantastic the things one over hears on the public transport. My god, public transport is fantastic (for the most parts).

The move here was an organic one : Not challenged, inspired or motivated in Cape Town, I felt purposeless and distracted, dusting away into the easiness of the most beautiful place in the world. Of course, coming London means a million more distractions, but it is different. Because there is so much to choose from, I become selective and (once more) observant, rather than complacent because it feels like the same thing over and over again.

My purpose here: To do exactly what I want to do, no compromise. This sounds somewhat hedonistic; what I mean is that I have done a full circle of trying to find that one thing, filter my interests and talents into one thing that will grip grasp me and give me definition. Purpose.

Instead of being the best at one thing, I have decided that I will be good (striving for best) at many things. I neglected my passion for performance since I dropped out of theatre school, yet it is the only thing that makes sense. Another full circle. I am making music again, inspired by the colour of London, the texture of life in anonymity. I am writing.

My ultimate job title: I am creatively opportunistic. Has a ring to it, no?

I feel like I am breathing deeply, a million moments for me of unfamiliarity and newness. It's exhilarating. And it tingles. I feel bravely happy.

Lei è arrivata

Our beautiful friend Serena has come to visit us for the first time in two years. Sere used to live in Cape Town; initially came to visit for a month and ended up spending four years. Perhaps we can get her to stay longer this time round?

She lives in Parma, Italy, and facilitates creative events and gatherings, curates exhibitions and vintage fairs. She also has the most impeccable taste - in true Italian fashion. She has arrived with a massive suitcase full of European-smell clothing, detailed dresses and shoes stuffed in pouches bearing impressive brand crests on them. With every garment she pulls from the surplus of suitcase, breath bating, I realise how desperately I must make my trek beyond where I am now. The clothing symbolic of the texture I am craving, the inspiration and the fibres I must gather to make up my bigger suitcase (if you will). Pack suitcase, soon.

Serena is here. The timing could not be more perfect.

Frivolity for the win

So here I am.

After almost a year of absence and/or neglect of this blog, I have reinvented its look and decided to revive its potential. 2010 was a turbulent year for me and I felt my writing drying up as the year progressed. Distractions and a short coming of inspiration.

Alas, 2011 promises adventures and more play. I am a free agent. Chose to pursue a path of 'what I like doing' rather than 'how to keep climbing'. How this approach will pan out, time will tell, but for now I am happy to be writing again. At least. These days there seems plenty of time for introspection and assessment of self, yet it does seem like I am too distracted to really follow the latter through. Perhaps life is too good - frivolity for the win.

I hope that I will regain your readership, captivate your bored asses at work and have you reading, well, whatever my bored ass feels like writing about. For now. Also, Das Hasen Ohr will decisively be less about naked bums and naughty nuns and more themed and streamlined. How so, I have yet to decide. I am contemplating, for one, character profiles on those individuals who I find particularly entertaining (read: Khimmal); intriguing, fascinating and inspiring. A way to sharpen my tools, and share with you the most subtle nuances and details that captivate me everyday, thus keeping me from keeping the focus. Too much attention to detail, sooo much to see. It's my friendly foe.

Nice to see you again. Keep squinting at the sun. At least you're looking up.