FANTASTIC FIVE

Words by Lesego Ntsime | Images: Supplied

“The willingness to show up changes us,” reflects Brené Brown in her bestselling book Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead. As we wrap our hopes and aspirations for the year in dedication and intent, we’re inclined to consider the fundamentals of showing up. Is it investing in a notebook that inspires productivity, joining the 5am club or maintaining zest by prioritising wellness? 

As a fun and exciting way of showing up; style is often forgotten. But what would progress and success look like without the fashion items that take us from one meeting to the next? Superbalist sat down with five fashionable professionals to peer into their workwear wardrobes, find out what inspires them and redefine showing up [in style].

Work-leisure is in and fashion editor at GQ and Glamour Magazine, Luke Diva, endorses it effortlessly. A firm believer in simplicity - with a growing collection of Birkenstocks to prove it - Luke describes Luke’s style as “very relaxed, effortless and uncomplicated.” 

Luke shares, “I am a very confident individual and I don't let the clothes I put on my back wear me.” Luke’s confidence is palpable when asked about the contribution fashion makes to their professional experience: “I am able to express myself through fashion without having to say a single word at times. It contributes to my self-esteem and confidence. Picking out the right outfit for the office can sometimes reflect my mood or lift my mood; and that all depends on fashion.”

With hopes of occupying the role of Fashion Director abroad; Luke is constantly inspired by people as well as the relationships cultivated in the local creative scene. There’s no better way to get that bread than by being yourself.

“Dress accordingly for the space you are entering - keep it you - keep it simple.”

LUKE’S TOP 3 WORKWEAR ESSENTIALS

• Birkenstocks 
• Crisp white shirt
• Quality denim 

Girls in tech, stand up! Co-founder and CEO of GirlCode Zandile Mkwanazi aspires to make the world of tech inclusive and diverse, one hackathon at a time. The award-winning social entrepreneur shares, “Watching girls succeed in tech gives me hope and motivation to continue working towards creating a more diverse and inclusive industry, and to supporting girls as they pursue their passions and goals.”

A good first impression is the best greeting and Mkwanazi centres her workwear style around that notion. ”When I have big client meetings, I often wear a statement necklace which usually gets everyone talking and asking about it. It also makes a big impact and leaves something to remember me by,” she divulges.

Her workwear style? Comfortable and stylish. “I don’t like to be in anything too formal and restricting. I prefer loose clothing such as dresses and skirts paired with a tank top and blazer, or opt for pant suits paired with a tank top and blazer. I like to incorporate a lot of colour into my workwear style so I tend to shy away from achromatic colour schemes.”

ZANDILE’S TOP 3 WORKWEAR ESSENTIALS

• Sneakers
• A casual blazer 
• A comfortable dress 

Much like her workwear style, Micro Mixes CEO Maxine Schulling is jubilant, expressive and shape-shifting. Think trendy dresses paired with classic trenches and blazers worn as dresses for a twist on the formidable LBD. When work entails helping people come into their best selves, there are no limits to the style possibilities that help her express hers. “I use [fashion] to creatively inspire me, motivate me to embody the energy of my best work self, and to express [myself]," she adds enthusiastically. 

It’s easy to lose sight of small and delightful pleasures when chasing the bag, a lesson the Cape Town-based meditation teacher is acutely cognisant of. 

“Happiness is in the small things. Sunlight coming through a window; sweet, foamy coffee and yes, wearing a pair of shoes that makes you feel empowered!”

Style is a matter of both fashion and knowing oneself - a component necessary for a successful career path. It’s evident Maxine recognises the power of not only putting your best foot forward but using fashion to put your best self forward.

“Hmmm. [My workwear style] changes a lot! I always dress according to my mood. I would say expressive, feminine and (hopefully, mostly) stylish hahaha.”

MAX’S TOP 3 WORKWEAR ESSENTIALS

• A blazer
• Comfortable dresses
• Dr. Martens. 

Art, fashion and beautiful things. Such is the life of Illustrator and Creative Director Russell Abrahams, who goes under the alias Yay Abe - a celebration of his family name. 

In an industry characterised by expression, fluidity, boldness and creativity, Abraham’s style follows suit. 

“In my day to day life, fashion has become more about comfort than aesthetics. Anything and everything usually has paint all over it. So, I’ve opted to just embrace that and let my paint fall where it wants to. Along the way it makes some unique custom pieces. That’s my excuse.”

To change the game or not to change the game? For Russell Abrahams, that’s a question that doesn’t need answering - only dressing up for. 

“I think my style is at the intersection of workwear and streetwear for sure. Nothing beats a nice workwear jacket paired with straight cut jeans and some nice kicks….and a straight peak cap, don’t forget the cap!”

RUSSELL’S TOP 3 WORKWEAR ESSENTIALS

• A workwear jacket
• Stretch heavyweight cargo pants
• A pair of tight safety gloves.

“[The reason] why I love beauty is that there are no rules. It makes me think out of the box, it inspires me to break the rules and think outside of “conventional beauty,” shares Beauty Editor and Writer Zipho Ntloko.

Staying abreast of emerging trends constitutes Zipho’s professional life and informs her workwear choices. But we all know that style goes beyond combining trends to create an outfit - it's about infusing an element of yourself in the process. Zipho explains that her workwear is an extension of her personal wear. “I love incorporating oversized silhouettes, meshing feminine and edgy pieces, combining bold patterns, textures, and colour blocking, or opting for the occasional monochromatic look.”

With a workwear wardrobe that is both eclectic and carefully considered, Zipho hopes to change the way people engage with beauty content - a sphere that has grown in its capacity for inclusivity and diversity.

“I want to continue creating beauty content that's fun and accessible.” 

ZIPHO’S TOP 3 WORKWEAR ESSENTIALS

• A leather blazer/ jacket
• Baggy, straight or wide-leg jeans (in the classic denim blue, cream, and a dark wash)
• Stylish and comfy sneakers - I love my Adidas Gazelle's at the moment