Holiday Style Guide: Ghislaine

Words: Modupe Oloruntoba | Photographs: Damon Fourie | Styling: Mandy Nash

I’m still in awe of the costume Ghislaine posted to her Instagram from this year’s Afrika Burn. “It was handmade, by the way. Overnight,” she tells me. A former design student, Cape Town model Ghislaine Mutombo has been a fan of fashion for as long as she can remember. “You learn a lot about yourself,” she says, when I ask about designing. “Being an artist you don’t always anticipate the logistics involved.. It was a learning curve for me.” It was while studying that Ghislaine was scouted and now, steady modeling gigs pay the bills and afford her time and room to experiment while finding her place in the fashion world. Her latest project is a fashion and lifestyle blog that’s quickly becoming a firm fave: Bisous Ghislaine.

“I try to express myself in all the fields I feel I have strength in - fashion, fitness, travel. I love to explore, I’m spontaneous. I want to meet people and expand my horizons. I’m enjoying blogging.” With December on the horizon Ghislaine has no plans to slow down - every day is another shot at adventure and every adventure is another opportunity for content. “We live in a holiday destination so work is play, play is work - it’s perfect. This Summer I want to work hard, play hard, party hard. There will be weekends away - Hermanus, Stellenbosch, Franschoek - I’ll also be hiking devil’s peak… join me people!”

Her first pick is definitely not for the hike: she picked a delicate rose pink blouse, a mini skirt to match, and a pair of rose gold heels for a look that’s head-to-toe glam. “Dinners, fancy parties, sophisticated Summer nights. That’s what this is for.” Get the look by settling on a colour palette and balancing a structured skirt with a relaxed blouse. Look for details like pleats to add a layer of interest.

Her second look is a uniform for the stylish urban explorer in all of us. Nothing is simpler to wear than a hooded sweater dress - grab your nearest pair of sneakers and a backpack for pavement pounding expeditions and you're golden. Or do it like G does: dress it up for fashion's sake with a pair of silver brogues (Summer '16 is all about metallic footwear, FYI) and a googly-eyed hold all for the essentials. Castings, shoots, meetings - Ghislaine walks and Ubers to all her work appointments so comfort is key. “Funky comfort, basically. I’m a model, I need to get around easily.”