We are already in Summer season and its not late to consult a fashion stylist on what to wear and what not to wear.
Aftv mag visited Anesu Mhembere prominently referred by many as Minister Of Whitelinen.
Anesu is a fashion stylist,blogger and a fashion wardrobe consultant, we interacted with him about the role of a fashion stylist in the Fashion industry. Further we get to find out what are the do's and don'ts when it comes to this summer season wear.
In addition get to find out where the name Minister Of Whitelinen derives from
TR:Anesu the name Minister Of Whitelinen I believe it has to do with your fashion life style (can you tell us the story behind that name?
AM:The brand name 'Minister Of Whitelinen' definitely has everything to do with my fashion life style. It is a unique brand name i attached to one of the services i offer to the world. Let's break it down. 'MINISTER' - contrary to the popular belief which has been existsting in our paradim, that a Minister is someone who presides over, rather a minister is someone who serves, who ministers amd who helps.
That being said, that first part of the brand-name highlights that i give a certain service. What service? That will take us to' WHITELINEN', White representing something , clean, attractive heavenly, glorious and Linen being a type of a fabric/cloth, represents fashion and style. Bring together 'MINISTER and WHITELINEN' one can simplify it down to a 'STYLIST'.
One of the popular question i have been asked is, why "white"? Well, the origin is 1 Chronicles 20 which describes that the worship team in the old days used to be dressed in white-linen. However not only am i a stylist but an Image Consultant and my job is to help an individual,a group of people even corporates to improve the personal brand in terms of fashion, style, etiquette and grooming.
TR:When did your passion as a fashion stylist began?
AM:My passion for fashion and style i believe was an in-born something.
My parents have witnessed the traits throughout my childhood, how i would get irritated and mad if they bought me a color i did not like or clothes i did regard as not suitable,how i would not go to church without a tie even if i was in a T-shirt that sunday (laughing out loud), and how i loved my one and only Uncle (Robert) who would visit us in a tie every single time he came. After hearing all these stories i would perceive that it was indeed an inborn thing.
TR:What is the role of a fashion stylist in the fashion industry?
AM:The role of a fashion stylist is to make sure that they help an individual or group of people who would want to look relevant and unique in a particular set-up be it diplomatic, corporate, function, party or any other.The stylist helps you to put the different pieces of your outfit together accordingly and advises even on the color combinations. All this is done upon analysis of things like purpose of the outfit against body shape, skin tone and personal style. The ultimate goal is definitely to make someone look distiguishable from the crowd. After the job of a good stylist there should be questions like "Who is that?" when you walk in or pass by.
TR:We are in the spring/summer weather what has been trending for you in terms of gentleman wear?
AM:Spring/ summer weather calls for a happy mood which can be interpreted even from our style.
What has been trending on the gentlemen for me is mostly fashionistas and fashion lovers getting outside the box and become experimental with colors and being soo daring.
Floral shirts, bold colors like shades of green,pink and yellow on outfits and a touch of mordern sun glasses has been a recent trend.
One person who does this well is Terrence J a popular american actor and television presenter.
Another subtle trend has also been a bit of button down on shirts with a firm medium size collars which gives the gentlemen that fisty and manly appeal when they rock their business casual look,mostly done by two David Beckham and Idris Elba and hats especially on straw a borrowed trend from the French men..
TR:What are the donts that are in the streets ?
AM:There are many shocks when you walk in the streets especially of Harare. On the top of my list is the abuse of accessories which are pocket squares, lapel pins/flowers, ties and collar or lapel jewellery.
A classic gentleman will not overdose his outfit with too many accessories to avoid visual noise. He will pick just two e.g Pocket square and tie or tie and lapel pin.
Secondly, good and well fitting suits jackets paired with way too long trousers that leave too much of extra fabric bulging on top the shoe.
This turns a supposedly good suit into a bad one. On casual there has also been an etreme exaggeration of detail. A lot of young men have been obssessed with jeans, t-shirts and head wear that has a lot of detail and patterns.
This eccentric look has been obviously influenced by the trending hiphop artists like Quavo, Wizkid, Migos and others. However our young men tend to ignore the fact that when artists do this they have a motive to it hence it is seemingly okay when 'artist' dresses that way. When the same outfit is put on a day to day guy on the streets,it can come out as weird and odd especially if accessorized with cheap jewellery.
TR:This year you, in conjunction with other fellow fashionistas you conducted a fashion seminar/workshop. How did that workshop assisted the public and are you going to conduct more such events?
AM::I held the debut of the Friday Fashion Fete which is a platform that dispenses fashion, grooming and etquette information to the lay man, mixed with entertainment such as music and fashion show. I teamed up with other influencual fashionistas like Hollywoodlee, Tafadzwa Zimoyo and others to execute this idea. On the debut we were adressing commom errors committed infor ladies and gentlemen's formal dressing. This was so essential especially to the corporate world to help them spruce up their personal brand.
FFF is a dream that is here to stay and help the public and more of these episodes are coming.
TR:Why is it important for fashion stylist to attend fashion shows and seminars?
AM:It is of imperative importance for a stylist to attend any fashion event. This will help you to expand your brand in the fashion industry through networking, it will also help you broaden your view to the daily changing fashion trends and ideas. Fashion events are oftenly eye openers, you get new ideas and skills displayed by other brands in the fashion industry which you can use or give reference to when delivering your services. This will help you stay relevant and move with time. You also avoid mistakes or errors committed by others through exposing yourself to others people's content and work.
TR:This year which fashion show or fashion event has been a memorable one and why?AM:I believe the most memorable fashion show this year is one i did not attend. This was the Soweto Fashion Week. My reason why i regard this as the most memorable is that it saw our own Zimbabwean talent, Tapfumanei Munenge and Ishmael Tsakatsa Zim's own high esteemed designers showcasing their work on this international platform having Hollywoodlee (our own female fashion icon) as one of the models. The work they displayed was undoubtedly exotic and out of this world. This shows our country has so much talent and future in the fashion industry.
TR:Whose collection was executed well for you this year?
AM:I believe the most memorable fashion show this year is one i did not attend. This was the Soweto Fashion Week. My reason why i regard this as the most memorable is that it saw our own Zimbabwean talent, Tapfumanei Munenge and Ishmael Tsakatsa Zim's own high esteemed designers showcasing their work on this international platform having Hollywoodlee (our own female fashion icon) as one of the models. The work they displayed was undoubtedly exotic and out of this world. This shows our country has so much talent and future in the fashion industry.
TR:Do you also conduct private wardrobe consulting if so how do people contact you?
AM:My favourite quote is my own.
"Treatment is a result of presentation, dress and show up like a king you will be treated with royalty, dress otherwise and you will received your due treatment."
TR:Lastly your favourite fashion qoute?
AM:Among other services i offer, this is one of my duties as an Image Consultant, to help anyone upgrade amd manage their wardrobe. This invloves me being a shopping assistant and everyday to day ouftit consultant. I have social media accounts namely Instagram: Minister_of_Whitelinen
Facebook : Minister Of Whitelinen
Whatsapp: 0773829359
Email: ministerofwhitelinen@gmail.com
By Rubaya Tapiwa.
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