A Stallion : Pure Perfection

They bloom when the sun comes out but how often do you get to see a flower open up when there is a sunrise? Sibusiso "Zbu" Masombuka from Benoni is a full time student at the University Of Johannesburg, doing 3rd year in Psychology and Anthropology. He works at Religion SA, a store at 44 Stanley in Milpark as a stylist and salesman in retail. He is also an ambassador for Smirnoff Vodka (JHB).

Power Of Silent Slayage

(1) Where do you get your sense of style ( From where it started and how you came to trust what you wear)?
Shees, I've never thought of that. I guess I started to focus on what I wear when I got to high school, because I was one fat kid in Primary (Just to fit in). So I'd buy a lot of magazines (Teen Zone at that time) just to see what was in and keeping up with the latest trends. Thats when I got rid of my glasses. I also had cousins who dressed well and were popular. So back then it was all about being seen and dressing to impress. I can't rap to save my life, so I wanted to be popular for dressing well.

I actually started trusting what I wear when I got compliments even from people I looked up to, style wise. So I began to mix and match my own stuff and stray away from whats trending.

(2) Tell me about your piercings, do they have any meaning?
Uhm! LOL awkward, these aren't real tunnels. I'd never stretch my ears. Its too hectic for the careers and other fields I want to embark. The piercings however do not mean much, got them the day before my matric dance, just for the sake of looking cool. I had a piercing at the back of my neck for 3 months, I got over that. I guess it was a phase. I do however want to pierce somewhere else, but the person I'm seeing does not approve, so I'll pause for a while.

(3) What do you want to be in the Fashion Industry?
Uhmmm! Well I've never thought of a career in the Fashion Industry. It's not for everyone. I wanna be an Educational Psychologist /  Ethnographer, I'm still caught between the two. Thats the main focus. I've sorta tried modeling, but thats slow and with 2 jobs and a full time degree its even tougher to shove that into my schedule. So I've let go for now.

(4) What would you call yourself at the moment?
One Fuggen Determined Lad LOL

Style

(5) Who is your style icon?
I don't have a specific style icon, but my style stems from a lot of folks, i.e. Kanye, Pharell and Linda Makhanya (local) to name a few.

(6) What are you 5 most favorite things in your closet?

• Vintage Winter Boots
• Chucks (In Purple, White And Turquoise) Planning On Getting More 
• Shirt Lover 
• Leather Gloves
• Leather Jacket 

Bonus ; Oh and my Tiger Of Sweden Denims (My favorite pair ever) and my religion tees.

(7) What makes you feel good (that one thing you can never leave the house without) ?
Can't leave without my new gadget, Samsung S3

(8) Latest Trends
Latest trends would have to be camouflage. I see theres chucks in that print, this winter might turn out to be a colorful one. People are starting to stray just black and grey and brown, but fuse it with other colors.

(9) Advice for people who want to be like you!
People need to understand that theres a crack and flaw in every one of us, so embrace your flaws. I cant tell you how I've started to love my kiss since I realized that. LOL. Be the best at everything that you do, half hearted efforts lead to no growth and satisfaction.. And Love Your Damn Self.

For More Info About Zbu :
Twitter : @Zbu_M
Facebook : Sibusiso Zbu Masombuka
Instagram : Zbu_M

Black Eminence

She wakes up like a princess in a Queen sized bed with all the riches she deserves, radiance that blows when she smiles. Her beauty dark as a well made chocolate fudge cocoa, gorging on that eminence she flows gracefully without moving a leg. She is a Vintage Hoochie name Tonika Howards.

The Royal Queen 

(1) Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm a 21 year old Fashion Merchandising Major at Clark Atlanta University and I'm from Washington DC. I'm very artsy, out of the box type of individual. I’ve wanted to be a fashion designer since age 13. I’ve always had images of how I wanted my world to be. However sewing is not my thing or else I would be a lot further along in my career.

(a) What is fashion to you?
Fashion is one of the greatest art forms in the world, It gives everyone a way to express themselves in their everyday appearance. With fashion you can be whoever you want to be.

(2) What inspires you in this world?
All things visual inspire me from Magazines, Advertising, Graffiti, Art Galleries, Interior design etc. I'm inspired by color even black & white (With the exception of grey unless its next to neon) I love the way color can transform the world. I also get super inspired when I look at past fashion and try to imagine what it would look like from a modern perspective.

(3) How does it contribute to your style?
The more I expose myself to the world the more advance my style becomes, no matter how much effort I put in. Through looking at the past I can reinvent a lot of whats been already done and include it with my own personal style. I am constantly drawing inspiration from things without even thinking about it, I usually keep a notebook and camera handy so I can refer back to it.

(4) How would you describe your style? (The way you dress)
My style has always been 80’s retro. But I'm getting rid of everything I own as we speak and revamping my style to look modern pin-up. I want my clothing to be more mature, simple and very hip defining. I'm about to go from wearing jeans all the time to dresses and very feminine clothing. If you Google modern pin-up you will see punkie images I figure this was the best way to make my style more mature without taking away my creativity. I absolutely love this style I cannot wait to manifest it. P.s. yes I plan to get tattoos.

(5) What do you want to be in the Fashion Industry?
I'm currently working to start my own Label. I’m trying to think of the best way to start out. I figure if I can start with t-shirts I can make the funding to buy from vendors to sell. I can then use that money to launch my own line. People may think it’s easy to become a fashion designer but there is a certain quality and look that I would like my stuff to have. One of my inspirational mentors is Sophia Amoruso with Nasty Gal.

(6) Do you believe that you'll still have the same style as you grow up?

Nope. As I stated I'm changing my style right now. I do not believe you can keep the same style a few fashion designers who aren't as trendy do tend to keep their style. But I promise keeping things the same too long is very boring. I'm not saying do what everyone else is doing, I'm just saying switch it up every once in a while. Change makes the world go round.

(7) What are you 5 most favorite things in your closet? (Pictures of those 5 things)

• My Fur Shawl from BEBE, 
• My Pin-up Polka-Dot Bodysuit, 
• My Sequin Bra, 
• My Disco Leggings 
• My High Waist Cheetah Belt From Express.

 (8) Any Fashion Hits and Miss? (Name a few)
Fashion hit would be anything high waist, that whole Levi D.I.Y. trend was amazing, Chunky heels especially from Jeffrey Campbell. I like almost everything but for misses I would say boot cut pants unless they are high waist ( not to get confused with wide leg or bell bottom love those) I hated that block patterned plaid shirts I couldn't believe people thought those shirts were cool.

(9) Who is your style icon?
My style Icon is June Ambrose I love her because she is very fashion forward she is willing to try things and she makes them fit her style. She is a stylist so she probably is able to access all type of things. In order for fashion to exist people have to be excepting of what designers make and she does that.

(10) Any advice to the little ones who aspire to be like you?
My advice for those who want to be like me is to always explore who you are, never be stuck in the box. Any interest you have tap into it to distinguish yourself from what everyone else is doing. People don't always except things that are different but they respect it. Lastly you must have a business aspect in order to sell your art, so if you are trying to decide your major I strongly recommend business courses or major. If school isn't for you then hit the library and read read read.

For More Info About Tonika :

Facebook : VintageHoochie
Twitter : @VintageHoochie
Tumblr : blackblonde.tumblr.com

Sexsomnia : Forever And More

Time Will Only Tell

(1) When did you start modeling?
I started modeling when I was 16, it wasn't something I really liked but friends and family saw potential then I was like "oh well let me give it a shot".

(2) Do you see yourself in any high fashion magazine?
Of course, it's every aspiring model to see themselves in Fashion Magazines. Thereafter it's runways around the globe.

(3) What do you hope to achieve in the modeling industry?
I hope to encourage skinny, black boys that you put your mind to can be implemented. Faith is everything, I mean we often see only white skinny men on ramps across fashion magazines, all over billboards and postcards, but never men of color. I stand for men of color, until we're recognized I won't stop doing what I love, and thats modeling.

(4) Is this a life long plan or just a short term thing you thought you'd just try?
Its been a short term try out until now cause I grew so much into it. Passion drives me.

(5) What motivates you when you stand in front of the camera?
I lose myself, I become more in touch with my inner child. I laugh, I play, I roar, in a nutshell I become easy and free.

(6) Who have you worked with so far?
I worked with Jose, for my first ever photoshoot, which Rich Mnisi style and directed. I also worked with Hulisani Malaka, a professional photographer who hails from Venda. Look out for them cause they have great work in the pipeline.

(7) Do you think you will still be a model in the next 3 years? 

(Laughs) Lets see, I'd be 21 by then *jokes*. Well I'd be doing this until the death of me, for as long as I can stand in front of that camera lens and create sparks then for sure I'm in it to stay.

(8) Five things you love about modeling!

• Style and Fashion
• It builds my esteem
• Awakens my creativity 
• Keeps me grounded (taking care of my health)
• I get to interact with various people 

Those are my utmost favorite.

(9) Advice you the youngsters?
Modeling takes courage, it builds character. You must be strong headed and willing to take rejection and every bit of criticism which you should turn into a constructive one. Stay focused and do you.

For More Information About Thabiso :

Twitter : @Thabyled
Facebook : Thabiso J Ledwaba
Instagram : Thabyled
Tumblr : thabyled.tumblr.com

Sexsomnia : The Beginning

I must say Thabiso Ledwaba is one of those delectable models you would just like to see on the cover of GQ or Mens Health. He makes modeling look like spec of dust (easy peezy). All I know is that he will be the next big thing and a cover ain't far from where he is right now. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

A Glimpse Of What Is Yet To Come On Afriqué ;)