This is going to be a slightly emo blog post because it has to do with dreams and aspirations and the kinds of people who follow them. It has to do with focus and goals and what it takes to achieve what it is that you want out of life.
Last week Sunday one of my bestfriend's
Vie opened the doors to her new store
Twenty Two in the very cool and progressive 70 Juta in Braamfontein. A product of many late nights, trips to Cape Town and back, hours spent doing odd jobs that weren't necessarily what she wanted to be doing at the time and dealing with the dark reality that her investor had pulled out: this store is a testament to the fact that you can actually do and achieve something if you put your mind to it.
I am so proud of my friend. She literally made the decision and went for it. Even with obstacles in her way that I feel could have crippled me, she chose to wake up everyday and do what needed to be done to make her dream come to fruition.
It's tough to be a dreamer and imagine more potential for yourself out of life, because you need to give "fear" the middle finger. I am learning to do that. I know that I have spent a lot of time living in mediocrity and staying in the safe zone, allowing people to walk over me and not demand what I deserve. So my inspiration for today and this year is Twenty Two and its owner Vuyiswa Mutshekwane.
When you have a moment, pop into the store. It is a beautiful space with vintage and modern influences. The clothing is unique and special, with designers such as Cape Town based Selfi, Mili Jo, Take Care, Sitting Pretty, Skeet and Johannesburg based Tee and Whiskey. Sitting between these designer rails are also rails of vintage finds from Nola Williams from Stuff That's Nice, Maria a regular at Deerhunter's Junksale and Vie's own vintage treasures.
There is something for everyone, so to speak, with a limited range of menswear available in the store. A concept store with a bespoke quality, Twenty Two is not only a life inspiration, but also a fashion one.
