This month Media 24 announced that Seventeen Magazine South Africa will no longer be published. The reasoning behind this decision comes as no shock to me. Seventeen Magazine will be taken off the shelves due to financial reasons.

“This decision to close seventeen SA is based on the long term financial prospects of this brand,” says John Relihan, CEO of Media24 Magazines. - Seventeen SA Press Statement

Seventeen SA Press Statement

Do people still buy magazines? I don't. The only reason I have magazines in my apartment is because I got them for free. I do not read South African magazines anymore because the content is repeated every single month and they are just plain boring. Will better content save magazines? I think not.

With more blogs being created every single day, there is no need to read a magazine, you can make your own. If you do not have the willpower to run your own blog, you could always read the millions of blogs that are on the internet today.

The target market of magazines like Seventeen grew up with the internet. Those of us who were born before Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and blogs still remember what it is like to read your mother's magazine ... after she read it. I guess that is why it is difficult for some of us to let go of the idea of physical books and magazines. I still buy all my textbooks while others prefer to read from their laptops, or if you lucky, tablets.

With everything becoming digital, is print still relevant? I don't think it will be relevant in the next 10 years, but it definitely will be relevant when my children have grandchildren.
Our parents grew up listening to records on a gramophone. We grew up with cds and ipods.
Seven years after getting my first ipod I walk into Musica and I find out that they are selling records. Not records that my parents used to listen to; Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake and John Mayer. I immediately wanted one. Unfortunately the price of a record player made me rethink my decision.
What I am saying is that print will soon become a souvenir of the past. Don't be too quick to throwaway your classic novels and download them on your ipad, your grandchildren might want to the stories of the past from books.

Even though digital magazines might be the way most people will soon prefer to read magazines, it still does not mean that the publishing industry has a chance at surviving the blogging social media storm.

Why should I read the same articles every month when I can go to someone's blog and read about their travels or everyday lives. Or better yet, I can see their daily on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram?
Why should I buy magazines to see what is trending on the runway when I can browse through a fashion house's Instagram feed?
Why should I buy a magazine to see how to dress the latest trend when I can scroll through personal blogs and lookbook.nu?
Did I mention I can do all of this for free? Of course I would have to pay for the internet data but wifi is free these days.

Lookbook

The digital wave did not kill [South African] magazines. Magazines killed themselves. Cause of death: the inability to stay relevant to their target market.

American and British magazines are surviving the digital wave because they give readers what they want and what they need. Because the internet is increasing the rate of globalisation, it is easier for South Africans to read international magazines and realise that what we have in South Africa is not up to standard.
I do understand we are a young nation but most South African blogs are better than what is sold on the shelves.

Understandably Seventeen SA is being dropped because teenage girls are not buying the magazines and they are not buying it because they have found other resources that provide them with what Seventeen SA used to provide them with.

For everyone who wanted to intern at Vogue after watching The Devil Wears Prada, think of another career, or at least come up with a plan to save magazines, especially the South African ones. Until South African editors realise the problem at hand, there will be more magazines taken off the shelves in months to come.

Comments from the Seventeen SA Press Statement

“The South African youth market remains an important focus for our group. We are developing a number of new projects, across different platforms and will continue to serve the South African youth market in relevant new ways.” - John Relihan
It's sad that Seventeen SA will no longer be published. I still remember the content of all the issues I used to buy and so will others. With proper research and content, the magazine could rise again to be the beloved teen magazine we all know it to be.

If you follow me on Instagram you will know that I recently attended the Dip Street Store launch in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
Dip Street Store officially opened it's doors to the public on the 11th of October and I was lucky enough to attend the launch on the 10th of October together with my sister, Thozama Mputa.

All Photographs by Zovuyo Mputa

Graffitti at the parking lot

The view from the store

Keith Haring x Reebok Spring 2014 Collection

Bringing the world's best urban streetwear to Braamfontein, South Africa. MISHKA, Booger Kids, IMKING, Breezy Excursion, Casio, Feiyue, MCK all available under the same roof.*

Braamfontein is the new creative hub of South Africa and the best location for the new store which sells items for the man who creates trends for everyone else to follow.

As you walk into the store you are greeted by a clean and simple design which makes any shoppers experience easier. There is no clutter and everything you need is right in front of you.

In terms of merchandise the store is completely up to date with the latest trends and also introduces various items which will trend in the near future.

With Drake's latest album, Nothing Was The Same, playing in the background, guests enjoyed the company of bloggers, style makers and store management.
The guests of the launch were also some of the first in South Africa to try out GTV Vodka.

If you were not interested in small talk you could always go ahead and play xbox while being surrounded by various exhibitions. Snapbacks were suspended from the ceiling and so were Reebok sneakers including the Keith Haring Spring '14 collection.

I am not a snapback and sneaker guru so I can not tell you about every item on sale in the store. What I can tell you is that all the items on display fit in with the store's vision and that is to sell you what you want before you even know you want it.

It is also really nice seeing South African label, Galxboy's merchandise being sold at the store. The only way we can promote South African brands is if we set up stores that sell it and I am really glad Dip Street Store is selling local brands together with International ones.

The store might only sell menswear but that definitely won't stop me from buying there. I have bought and worn menswear before so I browsed for a shirt in the store.
With menswear dominating the street style scene, it is nice to know that men have a place to buy street orientated clothing in Johannesburg. Therefore no man should be seen in last year's trends and calling it vintage will not help your situation at all.

Read The Men's Street Style Blog Post


Unlike America and Europe, street style in South Africa is determined by ordinary citizens and not fashion editors, celebrities and personalities. With the store's perfect location, South African street style gods (and goddesses) will most probably be buying from this store, so why don't you?

Me!

GTV Vodka

Thozama Mputa

Monti Mosala and Dale from Swede & Crowe

All the smartphones came out to capture the launch. Follow Dip Street Store on Instagram

The store is a very nice space to be in which means it will be even easier to purchase your favourite items. The launch was lovely and it is nice to see young South Africans catering to the needs of other young South Africans.

For more photographs visit the blog's Facebook Page

All the best to the Dip Street Store team and thank you for the amazing night.
Be sure to visit the store the next time you are in Braamfontein.
Shop 3
33 de Korte Street
Braamfontein
Johannesburg

For More Information Visit The Dip Street Store Site
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For More Paris Fashion Week Photographs Visit My Tumblr: whatzedsaw.tumblr.com
After seeing New York, London and Milan Fashion week I was hoping that Paris Fashion Week would remind me that I love fashion week. Unfortunately once again during the spring/summer 2013/2014 I was disappointed. Paris Fashion week designers mostly showed what we have all seen before. Very few designers showed something different and those who did tried to be too different.
It seems as if all designers are tired. Hopefully next year they will get over their fatigue and we will have real collections to look at.

Balmain - 26 September
Photos by InDigital
See Backstage Photographs From Balmain
The Balmain woman has grown up. I do believe Balmain is the reason why there is a surge in '90s inspired collections. Last year the Balmain showed a very '80s and '90s influence collection and this year he has moved more into the '90s.

See Backstage Photographs From Balmain
Balmain is known for it's monochromatic prints and this year we saw the same prints reinvented.
There were several quilted items which reminds one of Chanel and surprisingly some floral. Floral is obviously no surprise for spring collections but it is for Balmain. Balmain is usually made up of geometric and monochromatic prints so seeing florals is a pleasant surprise. The floral is a great addition to the Balmain aesthetic and it was done very well, maybe the best floral of the season.

I absolutely loved the pastel pink items. It made the collection a lot more delicate and gave it a spring feeling. Once again leather was used and slowly but surely I am starting to accept leather as a spring fabric.

See backstage Photographs From Balmain
Once again Balmain emulated a strong woman who has been inspired by the 80s and 90s. The aesthetic of the brand has remained strong throughout the collection, yet we can also acknowledge that it is not a copy paste of last year's collection.

For More Photographs Visit vogue.co.uk

Valentino - 01 October
Photos by InDigital
See Backstage Photographs of Valentino
The attention to detail shown at Valentino this year is astounding.

The collection paid no attention to current runway trends fellow designers have been bowing down towards. Instead Valentino decided to create a collection inspired by Ancient Rome.

If you have ever watched films set in Ancient Rome you will know that the women were style goddesses. Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli are the Italian designers who were behind this beautiful collection so the inspiration comes as no surprise.

From the first look the collection showed how a modern woman would interpret Ancient Roman fashion trends. Most detailing were paired with black fabric that draped the models

See Backstage Photographs of Valentino
Towards the middle of the collection, garments became more modern. It became a collection for the every day woman who wishes to embrace the Valentino Roman inspired collection subtly.
There was some leopard print which I absolutely adored. More and more designers are showing that leopard print is not only reserved for the Jersey Shore. Women of any age and occupation can wear the print elegantly.

The collection ended off how it started, with pieces that clearly illustrate the Ancient Roman inspiration. This was a beautiful collection and it was not only the clothes that made it beautiful, the hair, make up and styling all made this one of the best collections at Paris Fashion Week.

For More Photos Visit vogue.co.uk
Louis Vuitton - 02 October
Photos by InDigital
See Backstage Photographs of Louis Vuitton
This year's Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer collection was not about the clothes. It was about the man behind the clothes.

The Louis Vuitton spring/summer 2013/2014 was Marc Jacobs' last collection as creative director at the fashion house. As he walked out from backstage to take his bow he was greeted by a standing ovation and tears ... tears of joy.

Read The Louis Vuitton Ready To Wear Spring/Summer 2011 Blog Post
The designer said goodbye to his job by putting on one of the best shows I have ever seen at any fashion week. Models took a ride on a carousel which was the center of the runway. Louis Vuitton's spring/summer 2011/2012 collection also featured a carousel similar to this year's one.
Models entered the runway by going down elevators which we saw at Louis Vuitton's spring/summer 2012/2013 collection.

For this collection Marc Jacobs wanted to celebrate the inner showgirl in every woman and he achieved just that together with the set up and the feathered headgear that each model wore.

See Backstage Photographs of Louis Vuitton
Dressed in all black, one would think this was a funeral but it was a celebration of Jacobs' success at the label. Without him there would be no Louis Vuitton ready-to-wear collection, women and magazine editors have him to thank.

In terms of clothing, the collection showed off some of the most beautiful jackets I have ever seen. With the denim and fishnet it was more '00s than '90s.
The ankle boots paired with each look are also beautiful and are needed in one's wardrobe.

It was a beautiful show and an even better way to say farewell to Marc Jacobs.

For More Photographs Visit vogue.co.uk

For More Paris Fashion Week Photographs Visit My Tumblr: whatzedsaw.tumblr.com

Today, the 5th of October, my eldest brother will travel to France for the 2013 Wine Tasting Challenge. Becoming part of the team means that my brother, Khuselo Mputa, is part of the Top 50 Wine Tasters in South Africa.

Because my brother is one of the best wine tasters in South Africa does not mean I know much about wine, I am also quite sure I do not pronounce his job title correctly. Sommelier ... most people actually think he is telling them he is Somalian when he tells them his job title.

sommelier |sɒˈmɛljeɪ|
noun
a wine waiter.

I have always explained a sommelier as the person who pairs wine with the food you eat at restaurant.

At the end of September, my family and I were lucky to finally witness the work my brother does and celebrate his victory. To celebrate, my mother, twin sister, cousin and I were treated to a three course meal at Aubergine in Barnett Street Cape Town, the restaurant were Khuselo is a sommelier at.

As you walk into Aubergine, you cannot help but feel at home. The menu reads: "A Warm Welcome To Aubergine" and what a warm welcome it is. As we sat down and took in our surroundings we were offered champagne and shortly told about the several menu options we could choose from.
Aubergine offers "wine pairing options and sterling sommelier service" to compliment their cuisine. As we were there for the wine pairing, we were served by my brother and patiently awaited our starters.

Amuse Bouche

Spring Rolls

Each course comes with a different wine so glasses were replaced before each course arrived on our table. We all ordered from the Degustation Menu which meant that before the starters arrived we were treated to Amuse Bouche and a variation of spring rolls. As soon as I tasted the Amuse Bouche I knew we had officially entered the world of fine dining. It was also at that same moment I knew that this would be my best dining experience to date.

One does not become one of the best wine tasters in South Africa overnight. Khuselo started working in restaurants while he was still in high school and went to London after school to work in various hotels and restaurants. Since then he has worked in India, Stellenbosch, Cape Town and North Island in the Seychelles were the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spent their honeymoon.

While serving us at the restaurant you could tell that he has been in the industry for over ten years as he would not even laugh out loud at our jokes.
Next we were served our starters. My mother had ordered the scallops which were on special, while I had the Composition of Foie Gras & Duck and my sister had Steamed Kabeljou. I do not claim to be a food critic or even have the richest taste palette but I can say that the food served at Aubergine is the best food served in Cape Town.

Seared Scallops with corn puree, broccoli & almond salad and vanilla-lime vinaigrette

Steamed Kabeljou (from sustainable sources) braised fennel and vegetable-pine kernel vinaigrette Paired with Aubergine Chenin Blanc 2012

Composition of Foie Gras & Duck gingerbread-crusted foie gras parfait paired with a pistachio-coated ballotin pineapple aroma and vanilla notes

The building that houses Aubergine used to be the home of the first Chief Justice of the Cape, Sir John Wylde and I can't help but feel at home while dining at the restaurant. To complete the feeling of being at home, the food has what Americans call soul.
When Aubergine opened, it's vision was to create a "gastronomic haven in an atmosphere of timeless elegance where diners could enjoy innovative and creative combinations that excite the senses and pique curiosity"*. 17 years after it's opening that vision still lives on.

gastronomy |gaˈstrɒnəmi|
noun [ mass noun ]
the practice or art of choosing, cooking, and eating good food.
• the cookery of a particular area: traditional American gastronomy.

Chalmar Beef Fillet cured and seared, paired with beef cheek canneloni shitake and pod vegetable fondue, tarragon mustard sauce Paired with Migliarina Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Magnum

For the main course we all ordered Chalmar Beef Fillet while my seven year old cousin had a pasta. Pasta was not on the menu but if you ask the Chef Harald Bresselschmidt to make it for you, he will gladly accept.

There are very few adjectives in the English dictionary that can describe how good the beef fillet was. It was the first time I had ever seen fillet being served with cannelloni and I do not see myself eating beef fillet any other way.
After our first few bites of the fillet, as a family we agreed that this was the best food we had ever eaten.

Pasta

Chef Harald Bresselschmidt was born in Germany and has Masters in gastronomy. I would like to think he is the master of gastronomy. During service he walks around to make sure everyone is enjoying their meal, once again making all guests feel at home.
Bresselschmidt also creates recipes that are paired with flagship wines from Cape Wineland estates. You can purchase a signed copy at the restaurant.

Dessert was on the way which means it was time for dessert wine. The only thing I can tell you about dessert wine is that it comes in a slimmer bottle and it is a lot sweeter than other wine.

Dessert Variation Surprise du Chef

For dessert we all had the Tarte au Chocolat while the seven-year-old at the table, was treated to an array of desserts which included a strawberry drink, macaroon and ice-cream. The dessert was just what one needed to end off a perfect night.

Tarte au Chocolat 'Rumtopf' ice cream and fried red figs Paired with Pineau de Laborie

After dinner we took a short tour of the restuarant and were allowed into the wine cellar which was originally the swimming pool of the house.

Khuselo behind the bar

In the wine cellar

Being the younger sister of a wine extraordinaire, one would think that I know everything about about wine. To be honest I know very little. From a young age I always associated wine and fine dining to be the past time of adults. When I used to hear students fresh out of high school speak about how they wanted to buy themselves a bottle of wine I was puzzled because I always knew wine to be had by my parents and their friends. To make matters worse, the wine bought by my peers was not the wine I was used to seeing at home, which meant I should stay far away.
I guess you can say that Khuselo's knowledge of wine and fine dining has influenced the way I think about wine and fine dining. I have even more respect for it now than I did before I visited Aubergine.

Aubergine is a beautiful restaurant that introduced me to the art of cooking. Food is not the only factor which determines whether or not you will have a good dining experience. Food, the overall service by staff and whether or not you can share a laugh while having your meal is what determines how great your dining experience will be. Aubergine offers all of the above and it is an experience you will never forget and one you would like to repeat.

Myself with Khuselo All the best to Khuselo Mputa and the team and thank you for the experience

Be sure to visit Aubergine and website for more details.