MEET OUR SUPER SEVEN – PART TWO

1 Nov 2012
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It’s just over two weeks to go until the ELLE Style Reporter in association with BlackBerry® blog party (where we’ll be announcing our first style reporter), and we want you to know two things:

1) Have you got your tickets to the hottest party of the year? Make this a priority and join the ELLE belles and BlackBerry to see the seven finalists battle it out for the title of ELLE’s Style Reporter 2012. To book, click here and trust us, you want to book! This is the hottest blog party… ever! Plus, BlackBerry is giving away a  BlackBerry® Bold™ 9790 smartphone to one of our lucky guests on the night!

2) So you’ve seen their work and voted along the way, but do you really know the bloggers? We shared the first part of our super seven interviews here, now get to know Phendu,  Sandisiwe and Trevor a little better here:

Three things we don’t know about you?

1) ‘I really love hip-hop music.’

2) ‘I am a nomad. I’ve lived in over 25 homes and have gone to over 14 schools.’

3) ‘I’m convinced I was French in my previous life: I lived in the 20s and was in the social circles of Coco Chanel and Josephine Baker.’

Highlight of the ELLE Style Reporter Search?

‘Defining South African style.’

Who would you love to shoot and why?

‘Anna Wintour, Karl Lagerfeld, André Leon Talley, Jackie Burger and Scott Schuman.’

How would others describe you?

‘This is what my friends and family have said about me in the past month or so: “I am a good person, am talented and have a bright future ahead of me. I am an old soul”.’

What does your day entail?

‘Completing my final year of fashion studies and doing freelance fashion jobs. I have also been writing trend reports and designing my own range of quirky jewellery.’

What’s on your radar?

‘Up-and-coming designers Jessica Sutherland and Kim Gush; Refilwe Modiselle (South Africa’s first albino model); and trunk shows.’

Kim Gush MBFW Africa 2012

Who is your icon and why?

‘I draw different things from different people, so it depends on the context. I’d have to say Susie Bubble of the Style Bubble, who has a great sense of style, and Scott Schuman, who takes the best photographs – he’s able to make everyone look amazing.’  See more on Susie here!

Who have been your greatest influences?

‘My mom; she is strong and is always there for me.’

What does streetstyle mean to you?

‘Streetstyle is unplanned and unexpected; it’s about freedom of expression, free will and individualism.’

First words out of your mouth when we announced you as a finalist?

‘Thank you!’

I can’t leave home without my …

‘Camera and BlackBerry.’

See Phendu’s work here.

Three things we don’t know about you?

1) I don’t take long walks on the beach.
2) I don’t have a dog.
3) I’m not an ex-supermodel.’

Highlight of the ELLE Style Reporter Search?

‘The highlight of this search has been the people that I’ve met. I’ve learnt so much.’

First words out of your mouth when we announced you as a finalist?

‘I let out an awkward, half-supressed shrill in my English literature lecture when my friend texted me the news.’

Biggest challenge?

‘My biggest challenge was the first one. I found out about the competition after the initial deadline and got so excited and frantic. Organising my thoughts and direction for my submission proved quite a task.’

Who would you love to shoot and why?

‘I would love to do an Andy Warhol-inspired conceptual shoot of Madonna’s most iconic looks.

How would others describe you?

‘Intelligent, creative, sometimes reserved, sarcastic, sometimes peculiar, jack of all trades, a closed book, resourceful, quietly ambitious, indecisive, driven, inquisitive and giving.’

What does your day entail?

I’m a second-year publishing student, so reading is just about all I do.’

What’s on your radar?

‘On my radar right now is stylist and creative consultant Marian Kihogo (see more on Marian here). She has an eclectic, fun and quirky style that is always well put together, and is constantly on the pulse of fashion and creative development.’

Have you got what it takes to win this search and why?

‘I would love to be doing style reporting for the rest of my life. I have a keen interest in the makings of the fashion industry and am passionate about it. The journey to this point has proven, even to myself, that I have what it takes and that my talents, drive and personal stamp have a space and audience.

First time you held a camera?

‘I can’t remember the first time that I held a camera but I imagine that I was more interested in taking it apart and freeing the people trapped inside it than actually taking pictures. My love for photography is one that started a few years ago and it’s been a beautiful relationship ever since.’

What does streetstyle mean to you?

‘Streetstyle is the personal expression of ideas, influences and culture. It’s forever evolving and moving and its dynamism is great to watch and interpret.’

Best advice you have ever received?

‘Do what you love!’

Who have been your greatest influences?

‘My grandparents. Their influence is always present in some aspect of my life, whether it be my grandfather’s voice booming in my head asking me why my pants are so short or my grandmother’s advice.’

I can’t leave home without my …

‘Blackberry, earphones, painted nails, camera and change to buy a carton of flavoured milk.’

See Sandisiwe’s work here.

Three things we don’t know about you?

1) ‘I used to play in a pipe band for five years.’

2) ‘I buy and sell vintage pieces.’

3) ‘I am the enthusiastic boy pushing the cool bicycle on Lloyd Cele’s You Make It Easy music video.’

Highlight of the ELLE Style Reporter?

‘Being followed on @ElleMagazineSA; getting a new BlackBerry® Curve™ 9790 for making it to the finals; seeing my work on the ELLE website homepage for the past two weeks; and meeting ELLE editor Jackie Burger.’

First words out of your mouth when you were announced as a finalist?

‘God is good.’

How would others describe you?

‘A hustler of note!’

What does your day entail?

‘I have the longest days ever, but always fun. A typical day in my life would start off with filmmaking/television-production lectures and workshops. If I’m lucky enough to have an free slot, my day would then be dedicated to a conceptual shoot or an ELLE Style Reporter adventure. I usually burn the midnight oil on Photoshop. And now that it is warming up, I will be doing castings in between the madness.’

What’s on your radar?

‘I love DIY fashion – styling old clothing items into major statement pieces by adding some studs, bold African prints and neon hints. It is cheap, easy and relevant.’

Have you got what it takes to win this search and why?

‘Yes. I communicate best in colour and style. Being a style reporter is an extension of who I am – a medium to express things greater than who I am.’

What excites you?

‘Underground vintage markets.’

What bores you?

‘People who lack vision.’

What does streetstyle mean to you?

‘Fun, free and fearless.’

Who have been your greatest influences?

‘My mother, Naomi Matshidiso Stuurman; my Christ-like belief system; and my hometown, Kimberley.’

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

‘Being an international household name in the fashion and entertainment industry.’

I can’t leave home without my …

‘BlackBerry® Curve™ 9790 and camera.’

See Trevor’s work here.

Images: Kristy Sparow/Getty Images/Gallo Images, Marian Kihogo, Stuurman STYLE Diary.