THE WHY, THE WHICH & the wardrobe
We loved catching up with Lungi and the two Nicolenes. Here’s how they layer pieces that reflect African art history and design ingenuity, mix old and new, and channel Victoria Beckham.
How do you express yourself through clothing?
I love to express my African heritage, a fusion of ancient textiles and tapestries, and ornate jewellery and hair design. I love to layer with pieces collected on my travels, pieces that reflect African art history and design ingenuity.
Which pieces in your wardrobe are currently getting a lot of wear?
My oversized vintage boyfriend jeans, my West African boubous/ kaftans, my Lalela scarves and my Juditha Sakinofsky city tote.
What’s the one thing you can’t resist buying multiple versions of?
Most definitely jewellery – and Lalela scarves, of course!
Your favourite shoe brands? Valentino, Matches, Farfetch, The RealReal, MyTheresa, COS and Net-a-Porter.
Trainers/sneakers as workwear: yay or nay? Yay! I love Nike Alphafly 2 and New Balance trainers, as well as Veja and Converse sneakers.
What is your day-to-day workwear look?
Classic trousers (oversized, of course) with a T-shirt and a jacket, or a simple dress with sneakers and a denim jacket.
Who are some of your favourite local designers? Lukhanyo Mdingi does amazing knits; Hamethop for suits, dresses and bags with architectural or heritage designs; MmusoMaxwell for classics; Klûk CGDT and Maxhosa for bespoke design; Tshepo for denim; Diane Paris for summer dresses; Crystal Birch for hats; and Juditha Sakinofsky for carry bags and totes.
What are some of the pieces in your wardrobe that you wear season after season?
A classic black dress, a suit jacket from J Crew, my Lalela scarves and my leather pleated skirt.
Where would you go shopping for a special item of jewellery?
Chunky statement pieces that are timeless – from designers like Gina White, Philippa Green, Jacqueline Rabun, AuTerra, Kirsten Goss, Ukuluka, Ida Elsje and NuaVa.
Anything in particular that’s currently on your wish list? The list is long! A YSL Jamie bag, a classic tan coat, black knee-high boots, a Diane Paris dress, Alaïa heels, and a dress from Nigerian designer Lisa Folawiyo.
‘I love to express my African heritage.’
As a doctor, your days must be jam-packed; what made you decide to start Delightfully Worn?
During the pandemic we mostly wore scrubs to work, and although mine were colourful
– or patterned, at least – I found myself feeling somewhat blunted and lacking inspiration after months and months of dressing the same way every day. My profession is scientific in nature and my family occupy most of my non-working hours, so the only part of my day that I can be ‘creative’ is when I get dressed in the morning. As a challenge to myself, I started an Instagram page, @DelightfullyWorn, as a daily style diary – to inspire myself, but also as an exploration of my wardrobe and style. My long-standing love of fashion, colour and design became a tool to bring joy, not only to me but also to more than 5 000 others.
Have you always had an interest in fashion?
Yes, I have always been an adventurous dresser. I have a flair for colour and an eye for good design. As a teenager, I used to draw and paint my own fashion designs.
Which colours or cuts do you like? I often say, ‘I don’t collect clothes; I collect colours!’ My wardrobe is a rainbow of joy. I tend to gravitate towards anything that sparkles and shimmers (#sequinsarelife). We have so many incredibly talented designers and producers in South Africa, and I am passionate about owning clothing made sustainably and locally as far as possible. When that’s not the case, I try to buy only quality items that will last a long time. I know my shape and what suits me, so I won’t waste time on things I know I won’t really wear.
What are some of the most-loved pieces in your wardrobe?
My most cherished pieces must be my sequined dresses and skirts (many of them thrifted gems), as well as my latest dresses, locally made by the iconic Asha Eleven. I once thrifted the most gorgeous limited-edition emerald sequinned dress by Zara for next to nothing and styled it with matching colours for my brother’s wedding.
Which shops do you head to first for everyday basics?
Mill & Mallow for T-shirts, Zara for jeans and Country Road for linen shirts. As a one-stopshop, Poetry offers a great collection of basics.
Tell us about your jewellery collection.
I like a mix between unique yet classic pieces and eclectic, colourful costume jewels. My ride-or-die favourites include local brands Pichulik (strong yet feminine pieces with intentional design), Biophilia Jewellery (the pearl queen), Shelley Taylor Designs (artistic everyday pieces), Anna Rosholt Jewellery (charms, charms, charms) and Anha (fun and colourful). I also buy costume jewels from places like Zara and Lovisa on occasion.
Is there a trend you just can’t get on board with; and one you hope stays in fashion forever?
I’m not the biggest fan of cargo pants. And, even though I don’t really follow trends, I do hope that the allure of sequins will be here to stay. We all need some sparkle in our lives!
Trainers or heels?
Definitely trainers! I’m on my feet most of the day, so comfort would be my first reason. I don’t pack away all my summer dresses when the seasons switch – when styled well, clothing should be able to span seasons as far as possible. A pair of trainers can make a smart dress more wearable in a casual everyday setting, or ‘winterise’ a summer dress. The key for me is to know what type of trainer suits your ankle/lower leg, and to make sure the length of the dress is flattering. My suggestion: start with a neutral or white pair and then keep adding fun, colourful trainers to your shoe closet.
Where would you shop for a dress for an event, a pair of earrings and some summer sandals?
Poetry has been producing amazing event dresses, but for something unique I would go to local brand Found Collection or even rent a dress from Style Rotate or Mode by Michaela Romy. For statement earrings, my first stop would be Pichulik; and for summer sandals, Sweet Peas.
Who are some of your favourite local fashion designers/brands?
We have some of the most talented and inspiring designers and producers in the world. These brands fill a large part of my wardrobe and my daily visual inspiration. So, in no particular order: Asha Eleven, Found Collection, Merwe Mode, Pyjama Collection, Kokonova, Me&B, Malgas Collection, Biophilia, Pichulik and many, many more!
Whose style do you admire?
First to come to mind would be the indomitable Trinny Woodall, and then my mother, Elize, who first inspired me with her natural style and affinity for colour.
‘I have always been an adventurous dresser.’
We’re picking up on a love of neutrals… What is it that you like about this colour palette?
I love nature, so neutrals are a firm favourite. I find that there is a natural elegance and beauty to the palette.
Is there’s a trick to wearing neutrals in an interesting way?
I like to mix different textures and shades, for example, wearing a silk skirt with a knitted top.
Any particular styles or silhouettes that tend to catch your eye?
With dresses, the more feminine and the more flow, the better. I love most of my clothing to be oversized – nothing that is too tight or
FAIRLADY
revealing, unless I have a certain spark of playfulness and decide to pair an oversized denim or pants with a suit jacket, which I would pair with a crop top.
Where do you buy your specs and sunglasses? We’re guessing Chimi… Yes! Chimi is my favourite. I love the luxury feel and versatility in the colours and styles it offers. The 05 Havana style is my current favourite.
As for sunglasses, I have always been a classic big black sunglasses person, perfect for channelling my inner Victoria Beckham, but recently Chimi has opened up my eyes to a world of different styles, especially slimmer frames and even coloured lenses.
What is your go-to casual look? Oversized boyfriend jeans, a ribbed white vest, sneakers and a dad cap.
Is there any particular fashion era you take inspiration from?
A little bit from all eras, to be honest. I love the femininity of the earlier eras; I would have loved exploring that dress sense more. Perhaps in the future you will see me in a Victorian dress walking around Cape Town, Bridgerton style!
Dainty or chunky jewellery?
I am not really a jewellery person, but dainty is my preference. A daily piece I wear is my Apple watch, which I was hesitant to wear before because I did not want to look like a Spy Kid. But I took it beyond the ordinary with a Golden Concept Apple watch case (yes, it is the accessory you didn’t know you needed). Now, it looks like a luxury gold watch, which has been a fashion and style game-changer for me.
Where would you go to buy a linen dress, a great pair of jeans and a workout outfit.
I love the Amuhle linen dress from Liv & Light. For jeans, I would most certainly choose Japanese selvedge denim at G-Star Raw, particularly the ARC 3D Loose in a light wash. And Nike does the best workout gear.
From your IG, we can tell that you love sneakers. Any favourite pairs, colours or brands?
Yes, I love sneakers! In my current rotation are the Nike Dunks (the Dunk Panda being my favourite) and my grey New Balance old-school runners. I love the comfort of sneakers, and on my recent trip to Paris, Copenhagen and Stockholm, I remembered that you can wear sneakers even with a lace or silk slip dress. I love the walking culture in Europe, and
I’ve adopted the ‘sneakers with pretty much anything’ look.
What is one style lesson you’ve taught your daughter?
Show less. Baggy can be slimming and sexier than baring it all, leaving something for the imagination. She and her friends are constantly raiding my wardrobe, which I take as a compliment.