THIS IS ME COMPETITION

Here is a little festive treat for our plus size women. Post your Plus Size is ME © look of the week on i want to be on Kaffein Online Magazine facebook page and have your friends vote for you by commenting on the image and you could WIN 2 fresh "THIS IS ME" T-shirts for you and a friend. don't waste time snap away good looking!

Plus Size is Me: Own Your Body

 After seeing Toccara Jones on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model, Lala Tshabalala began to relate to the model’s confidence in her body and inherently started learning about the Plus Size industry. Later she began sharing random images of plus size models via her Facebook profile and that is when her and her sister Nkanyezi decided to start a Facebook page drawing in an initial following of 50 people within in a short space of time. It then clicked that all these random posts can indeed turn into something great a few months later they have over 10 000 Facebook followers, a clothing brand and a styling page.

We speak to Lala Tshabalala one half of the Plus Size is Me team who are bringing a significant change and restoring confidence into the beautiful world of curvaceous women.

        1.      What is Plus Size is Me and how long has it been in existence?

Plus Size is ME is currently a brand that promotes and positively sheds light on the plus size industry.  As an extension of our brand we have created a Facebook styling page called Style ME Plus Size. We created the Plus Size is Me page in March 2012.

      
        2.      How has its core values and views influenced you personally.

In order for us to have even conceived this page the both of us had to have already been on a path of body love and acceptance and we were. As the page grows and becomes more interactive, I’m constantly being inspired by our followers who, without even knowing, motivate me to love my body even harder. They’ve challenged me to step out of my comfort zone.

 3. What are the misconceptions about Plus Size is Me?

Some people think that Plus Size is ME is just about celebrating our curves as fuller figured women. That’s just part of it. We strive to inspire people to find a balance between psychological health (body love and acceptance) as well as physical health.  We want people to understand the importance of taking care of their body which means exercising and making wiser decisions when it comes to their eating habits.

4. Tell us about your first campaign and how successful it was?

Our first campaign was such a big deal for us. Nkanyezi came up with the genius idea to create a body love campaign and we ran with the idea.  The name of the campaign, “THIS IS ME”, kind of just fell on my lap because the message (which was learning to accept our bodies) was already there. It was amazing to see international models and bloggers take a liking to our campaign and support it. One of our favourite international models, Essie Golden, requested we send her a top and so we did.

5. What other avenues have you branched into within the plus size category?

As part of the campaign we created “THIS IS ME” tops that were worn by the models and I thought it would be absolutely perfect to make this the first item in my clothing line for plus size women, Cavalier Apparel. We have also created a styling page for plus size women on Facebook called Style ME Plus Size. The purpose of this page is to give plus size women an idea of how they should dress their curves, inspire them to become more stylish and let them know where they can find similar items.

      6.      Was Plus Size is Me  planned or organic?

 It was organic. When we started the page we never anticipated that it would grow so big, we uploaded things we were interested in and what we were learning. When we noticed the growth only then did we start planning things to keep the page relevant.

7. What are the milestone since the inception of your project/brand.

I would have to say the biggest milestones would have to be the “THIS IS ME” campaign, the creation of Cavalier Apparel and reaching 10 thousand followers!!


8.You are now becoming an entrepreneur, what are your goals for the next year?

 Next year I will be working harder on building Cavalier Apparel. Nkanyezi and I will continue to build our social media pages for Plus Size is ME, we will have another campaign and we want to host an event.

9. You promote good health and diet which may lead to a positive loss in weight. What happens when you as the founders no longer fall into the plus size community? Will you still be relevant? 

The plus size industry will always be relevant because there will always be fuller figured men and women. By encouraging healthier eating is not us promoting extreme dieting we are simply encouraging people to be more conscious about the food they eat. Many plus size models e.g. Tiffany Bank, GabiFresh, Anita Marshall all work out and are still plus size. Exercise is not only to lose weight but to also keep toned and fit. There are those plus size models who have lost weight but are still plus size but just a smaller size. 

It's no secret that Nkanyezi is not plus size but she is still very passionate about the plus size industry, what Plus Size is ME stands for and body love and acceptance just in general.

Enter the Plus Size Your Pose  competition here.

follow Plus Size Is Me:

Facebook 
Twitter

Written By: Lethabo Ngakane
Twitter: @lambisking
            @kaffeinmagazine

Instant Kaffein

Boogie Two Point Owe is a South African Beat maker who has recently moved to the city of Stuttgart in Germany. Boogie is renowned for his jazzy/ Hip-hop based beats which have lead him to some defining musical collaborations in Cape Town. Recently Boogie challenged himself to complete 10 beats in 10 days. We tracked him down to find out more about his ambitious attempt to push his creative boundaries.

What are your views on the Cape Town hustle?

It’s all cliques, crews. A lot of “If you not part of us, we don’t fuck with you and if you cool enough we fuck with you” mentality. It’s turning into Jozi.

Hasn't it always been the case in Cape Town?

I guess so but maybe I just turned a blind eye.

So what inspired the 10 beats in 10 days?

Someone said I couldn’t do it, and if I do it then not all beats will be dope. So I am showing them that I am the TWO POINT OWE and I can do it.

So what’s the biggest challenge you have faced in making this happen?

Not having enough sleep and after a while your creativity comes into question. You start to wonder

If you are creative enough, and how dope the beats are? Or if it’s just another random beat?

So where do you then draw your inspiration from?

Negativity... I think about those who think I'll fail and then I keep ‘em close to me and then someone else will show me some positivity which then amps me up to do even more.

A comment is all I need,"nice beat boogie".

So you in Germany now? What's it looking like out there in terms of your beat making career.

I don’t know yet, I don’t know anyone here. I’m still looking to meet people I can work with.

Yea but people don't show love. People are afraid to seem like dick riders.

I know, so they’d rather hate.

Listen to all 10 beats here

Are you not entertained?

BFG have pulled through with a new music video of the single Wunga. Wunga is a  cocktail of a drug consisting of anti-retroviral drugs, milk powder and rat poison to name a few.The music video  taps in to social commentary, highlighting how dangerous this particular drug is as it creates fiends who rob HIV victims for their ARV’s amongst many of its devastating effects on society.The video portrays the relationship between the drug user and the dealer and how the cycle continues so much so that…well there’s a twist so I suggest you watch the video so you can get the gist of things.

The BFG facebook page went on to state that  “... the idea was to marry the street sounds with the original track”, “The result was what we believe is a true reflection of the drug's destructive nature”

BFG also feature on the current issue of Kaffein Online Magazine: Ambition. Find out more about this experimental music crew right here or download the small (4mb) version of the magazine here

click to VIEW THE VIDEO

A Piece offering: Pieces Webstore Launch

It’s been a while since I found myself in a space that I virtually live in, accept in this instance every online voice was live, kicking it and busking in what was for most the beginning of a South African creative revolution. It was more than a clothing store launch. Not that we have many of those in our underground stream but more so an artistic uprising, one that promotes passion, patience and productivity.

What started as a brief check up chat with one of my close friends ended up as an impulsive decision to go and attend Siyabonga Ngwekazi’s PIECES WEBSTORE launch. Now for those who do not have the faintest idea of who he is then think Scoop, think Forever young if you not too familiar with his new work then think Street Journal however if you still in the dark then Google him baybay, I am here to speak about his latest body of work.

We found ourselves a bit lost in Newtown and used Twitter feeds as directions. As we neared Coast Studio we started seeing what I refer to as “Boyz N Bucks” a popular phrase and clothing store that has erupted from this particular street culture. I'm talking about your hi-top fade & sneaker type dudes; your braids & flowy dresses ladies; the tribal prints on western garments… you know? The pieces. Naturally we followed the ant trail and arrived to the venue, the white walls brought life to light and resonated a warm welcoming feeling. A diligent bouncer stood neatly tucked at the door quick to spring up on you if you do not fill in your details. Siyabonga was out and about looking extremely calm and on the ball so I ducked him at every chance. A murmur of 100’s of voices reverberated as everyone exchanged conversations and chats. Strangers met at the bar ordering double shots of Fish Eagle dashed with Play Energy Drink, wine was also available and some opted for a crispier option in a Miller Genuine Draft complemented by finger foods. On a wall at the end of a dark passage was what seemed to be a last minute addition of a vague projection of the PIECES collection which demonstrated multiple textures and prints on anything from pants to jackets to caps. I saw spats of the masses gathering around the projector from time to time but most of them gathered further outside facing a door that spontaneously became a stage. The pieces of people who formed a crowd literally dictated the flow of events leading the performers outside.

 

The good vibes were in the system and LoveslavePhola warmed up the crowd with hip-hop jams that made the niggas curl up a fist, place it infront of their lips and burst out a “YHOOOOOOO!” in other words an involuntary reaction to a dope track. The floor became a dance floor through memory lane when she dropped tracks by 88-Keys and The Roots to name a few.

The door opened and finally Siyabonga gave a brief yet real speech, thanking the crowd for showing love, and emphasizing the strength of word of mouth, from the streets to online because that is where we at. He went on to introduce a hip-hop duo called WRAP and gave them a “here is the spotlight, don’t disappoint speech” and they didn’t. The thumping beats had the crowd thrusting their fists in the air while simultaneously shaking like a Lil Wayne seizure. On came triple O.G Bhubesii who broke into an accapella verse followed by a few more of his tracks. Ex Cream Cartel cast member and current Lucky Star ad wonder boy Choc hit the stage and put his lyrical skills on display. He was later joined by Ricky Rick to perform a track about popping pills and vodka.


 



 

All in all it was a beautiful evening every one of us was a piece and we all fit together perfectly into one. I’m a little disappointed as the PIECES WEBSTORE is not up yet, It would have been dope if it went live on the night.

Written by: Lethabo Ngakane

Edited By: Phola Ayanda Gumede

Kaffein Online Magazine Issue 6: Ambition

Good Morning Kaffeiners

Here is our latest edition of Kaffein online magazine themed : AMBITION, please take your time to flip through the pages (If you are on a computer or flash enabled device) right HERE.

If not then you can download the compressed 4mb version to view and share on various machines and cell phones alike right HERE.

INSTANT KAFFEIN: Anne T Septik

She goes by the name Anne T Septik an aspiring alternative model from Cape Town with the hope of pursuing alternative modeling as a career in the future. She has a love and keen interest in body modification and photography. Anne T Septik fears that there aren’t enough opportunities for alternative models however she is determined to pursue her ambition. She went on to say “I love gothic modeling and hope to start with corsetry later this year. I hope to see more alternative models emerge, they are the ones who are brave enough to stand out from the crowd”

1. What's your style?

I wouldn't describe myself as any particular style, though I do favour Gothic I like to explore all options when it comes to alternative style.

2. What's your ambition?

 My ambition is to make a difference in the world of alternative modeling as strange as it may sound.

3. The hardest part of your craft?

Definitely competition. Especially here in South Africa, there are not a lot of opportunities here and each day a new alternative star is born, an aspiring model like myself must work hard to keep up with the ever-changing cycle.

check her out on Facebook here