PAPLE RAYN PARTY OUTFIT

I had a general idea of what I wanted to wear for this event but wasn't sure I'd be able to find exactly what I wanted here (Pinterest can really raise your expectations!) and did not feel confident having it custom made because as I experienced here, this route can prove to be quite disappointing. 

Anyhow, I knew I'd be wearing my hair out in a big do and therefore wanted an outfit that could hold it's own against such an in-your-face style but still be sleek enough to let me move up and down between my seat and backstage yet not too casual that I'd look like I didn't get the Red Carpet memo, you know?

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EVENT REVIEW: PAPLE RAYN HUB LAUNCH

Does it make sense when I say I knew EXACTLY what to write before the event and then after the Launch I was all "where on earth do I start???" *panicked voice* I found myself taking ages to sort through the images and postponing this post so I changed my mind about my previous event review post format which was real systematic like a color-by-numbers to this which is basically going to be an uninterrupted stream of consciousness. Strap in.

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AW x UG Bloggers Style Uniform Challenge

Fashion icons such as Vogue Editors like Anna Wintour and Emanuelle Alt, designers like Victoria Beckham and Karl Lagerfeld, and stars like Janelle Monae and Rooney Mara all have a style that they favour and wear again and again until it becomes a uniform of sorts. Having a style uniform saves a lot of time and takes the fretting and second guessing out of getting ready because once you find a look that works for you, you’re always confident about your appearance. As fashion consultant Yasmin Sewell put it, “too much choice clouds your judgement – if you know what works for your body, that’s half the battle.”

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PAPLE RAYN HUB

If you follow me on social media you've probably noticed my increasing excitement over the upcoming paplerayn party. It's now one week to the event and I can barely contain myself.

It's just so inspiring seeing the growth Paple Rayn has undergone in just a year!

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ARCHITECTURE AND FASHION

 

I am always bemused when former classmates from Arch school seem surprised to find out that I run a personal style blog. I mean what is so shocking about that? As any design aficionado will tell you, there is a very close link between the disciplines of architecture and fashion.  Unlike most art forms say sculpture or painting, these two aren't merely concerned with the aesthetics of the finished product but its functionality too. *Form follows Function* is a mantra commonly heard during desk crits in studio and I bet you Tim Gunn thinks it too when he's giving sage advice to the aspiring designers on Project Runway.

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THE SWITCH UP

Valentine's is just a day away (!) and what's on every romantic's mind is where to go, what to wear, what gift to get that special person. True, there are those who claim they don't see what all the fuss about this one day is about but if you are like me, each and every excuse to give and receive gifts, indulge in a day of pampering, or even just an extra long cuddle session is pounced upon with both hands.

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ALL BLACK & BLUE

I'm all about the Red + Blue combo lately

I have to start off with a confession;  my mum HATED this look. See the top is actually this dress I last wore 2 years ago and when I walked in (it was my muffin's grad party and I was seated at the high table) she immediately WhatsApped something along the lines of what a bore I was for cutting the dress!

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OOTH (Outfit of the Holidays)

First photoshoot at my new digs! Pictures taken with Galaxy S4

2015 is off to a great start! But after the doozer that was 2014 there was really nowhere to go but up! So HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!

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Introducing the latest in minimalist Lingerie...the C-String

"Brevity is the soul of lingerie" - Dorothy Rothschild Parker (Vogue, 1916)

No...this is not a hairband

What do Gwyneth Paltrow, Kendall Jenner, Jamie Alexander and Governor Peter Florrick’s intern have in common? They all dared to go bare – or at least made us think they did.

Jaw-droppingly gorgeous!

With cutouts, sheer panels and formfitting designs ruling the runways and red carpets, who can blame them? French panties and thongs just don’t cut it anymore…when you throw on your freakum dress last thing you need is to worry about bunching undergarments, visible panty lines and in the case of thongs, errant strings creeping into view.

Designer Stella McCartney nailed this trend in her Fall 2011 show!

Cleverly employed sheer paneling to preserve your modesty while at the same time piquing the imagination of onlookers! This is what I call a win-win situation

But then again going commando is not an option. Granted there’s a certain freedom to be enjoyed by having a cooling breeze blowing through your nether yaya with every swish of your gown, the worry of flashing almost outweighs it. Let’s face it, not all of us have the brevity of Peter Florrick’s intern on the latest season of the Good Wife.

So what’s a trend loving stylish girl to do? Hit up Purple Rain Fashion Uganda, that’s what. Purple Rain exclusively stocks the latest in minimalist under garments – the C-String; your all in one answer to visible panty lines, muffin tops, squashed bits and Bridget-Jones-type-granny-panty situations. 

Oh Kim...so close, so very close...if only your stylist had Purple Rain's number on speed dial!

Available in a wide variety of colours and fabrics, we’ve got you covered (pun definitely intended) whatever your preference maybe!

Lace, Satin, Cotton... White, Red, Polka dot, Animal Print...You name it!

Eve - the original fashionista!

Think of it like the modern version of Eve’s fig leaf – it covers just the essentials and leaves you free to wear whichever style, cut and fashion you fancy. And the best part – it's as comfortable as your birthday suit! So what are you waiting for? Order a pair or ten while stocks last. Free deliveries in and around Kampala City centre.

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PAPLERAYN & CANDLE-IT LAUNCH

This has been a long time in coming but it makes up for it by being picture heavy. Boy is it picture heavy! I can't even promise to caption them all! Lets start by setting the mood;

Me gallivanting all over the place in between stints of working the Candle-It station. My outfit is a crop top and skirt combo from Warehouse (originally a dress but I felt it veered a little twee for the occasion so I took scissors to it and got a good tailor and voila!)

This picture was when I realized I need to switch to a matte foundation. I'm all shine instead of glow.

I'm pretty certain the long face here was due to noticing how shiny I was in the pic above.

First look at the entire outfit. These shoes are the most comfortable heels in my closet right now and feature in nearly 50% of my outfit combinations. Available to order from www.paplerayn.com

Back to the candle station. I had to be here else people were going to take a bite outta them thinking they were real cupcakes. *True story*

THE DECOR

 

The event was held at Bodaboda Garden City Rooftop and was a Red Carpet affair.

Candle-It supplied the decor and as night fell, candles in mason jars outline the mini-runway.

Couldn't resist taking a pic of this beautiful light fixture that cast such amazing geometric shadows

But enough of that, you want to see the fashion, right? Let's dive in then. All outfits showcased are available to order from the Paple Rayn website

WOMENSWEAR

Great stuff for corporates and the best part is its delivered right at your door!

These here are some of the male models that night. This is at the press line before Paple Rayn worked its magic.

MENSWEAR

Quite the transformation, no?

CANDLE- IT TABLE

ESTEEMED GUESTS

Guest of Honor and noted sharp dresser the Honourable Mike Mukula

The lady of the evening (centre)

Bet you wanted a close up of those shoes - also available at www.paplerayn.com

UBC's famed lifestyle and fashion presenter was in attendance.

The Emcees for the night - outfits by Paple Rayn

Cocktails and Food were on the house

About to launch the website - peep me in the background hurrying to my vantage point :)

GOING...

GONE!!!

 

And we're live!

It was such a fun filled night and a great culmination to months of hard work. Now show a sister some support and check out Uganda's first online shopping and home delivery website!

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