Style muse: Mmanaka Kelobonye

Mmanaka Kelobonye's style shines through her Instagram account. We find out what makes her tick.

Where are you based, and what's your day job?

I live in Johannesburg where I work as an actuarial specialist at a life insurance company. My focus is predominantly in product development.

Tell us about your favourite fashion moment as a child?

I have many moments, but the one that stands out the most is how we all used to dress our best in new clothes for Christmas Day, the Day of Goodwill, which we called Boxing Day, and on New Year’s Eve. I had an additional day to dress up because my birthday is on 20 December. As kids, we'd stroll through Atteridgeville, parading our new clothes.

You have a lively Instagram account. What led to you showcasing your style online?

I was just having fun with it. I started by sharing outfits I'd put together for the day. I love dressing up! I wanted to share that with anybody who also had a keen interest in fashion and style. It's a lot of fun. What has been affirming is that I can turn my passion into a business that generates a new profitable revenue.

How do you describe your style?

It's elegant, creative, bold and confident.

Rihanna or Kim Kardashian?

Definitely Rihanna – she has great style!

Name the three people you'd die to sit next to at a fashion show, front row style.

Miroslava Duma, Tracee Ellis Ross and Solange Knowles, who I hope would bring Jenna Lyons as her date!

What do you splurge on?

My biggest splurge is travelling, not so much fashion, actually. Maybe champagne as well!

And your favourite shopping destination in the world?

New York City, for sure! Sex and The City fashion was no lie. New Yorkers dress extremely well – their stores stock clothes suitable for their needs. The items are out of this world. There's so much variety and beautiful garments to choose from.

Your current favourite item in your wardrobe?

My Charles & Keith almond-toe slip-ons.

White shirt or culottes?

That's a tough one because I love both. I'll go with a classic crisp white shirt.

Gucci mules or Chloe bracelet bag?

Gucci mules, the hibiscus red leather ones to be exact.

There are many incredible designers in South Africa. Who’s your favourite?

I have a few but the one that stands out for me right now is Orapeleng Modutle. He's a young man from Kimberly in the Northern Cape.

What’s your philosophy when you're shopping?

To be honest, I have none. I'm very open minded.

Which beauty products do you swear by?

I used to struggle with acne. My skin is sensitive towards a lot of products. I use Bobbi Brown make-up remover, then wash my face with the Dove bar soap and apply Bobbi Brown Hydrating Intense Night Cream. My skin can be a bit dry so it needs lots of moisture.

What’s your favourite perfume?

It's a tie between Si by Giorgio Armani and Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf.

You've visited Bali. Most of the people who've been there talk about a lesson or two they learnt at that destination. What was your lesson?

The Balinese people are so centred and joyful. What I learnt from them is that one’s wellbeing and joy is dependent on themselves, which is to consciously choose your wellbeing and happiness all the time. I also learnt to always practise gratitude.

What have you learnt from travelling alone?

It forces you to reflect more on your life and how far you've come. You get to discover new parts of yourself and get to know other parts better. Being out of your comfort zone does that – you grow.

Oprah Winfrey or writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie?

No doubt, Oprah.

First thing you do when you wake up on a Sunday?

I say my prayers every morning, not just on Sundays. It's my daily routine.

Do you have a favourite book? Which is it, and please share a quote that stands out for you?

I just finished reading The Seat

of The Soul by Gary Zukav. It's become my favourite book. As for the quote, do you have enough space? There's a part where it says, "No one can occupy your generosity except you. Who can occupy your patience when impatience roars through you? Who except you can choose not to act with judgment when all of your thoughts are judgmental? Your life is yours to live, no matter how you choose to live it. When you do not think about how you intend to live it, it lives you." I love that part.

What are you listening to right now?

I'm such a late bloomer when it comes to this! Without my little sister, I never know what music or artist is trending. I catch onto tracks weeks later when everyone is over it, ha ha! Personally, I've been jamming to some Zing Master & Pencil jams.