Author: catface

Happy Birthday Blue Ivy Carter, we love your mermaid hair <3

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Happy Birthday Blue Ivy, we see you in your mermaid plaits <3

 

Shop Blue Ivy’s ombre colours below

#STUDIOCATFACE LONDON IS CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR RELOCATION & REFURBISHMENT

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CATFACE HAIR IS EXCLUSIVELY ONLINE ONLY

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE 

  • STUDIO CATFACE LONDON IS CLOSED
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// SHOP OMBRE BRAIDING HAIR, LOCS, TWISTS, CURLS, PONYTAILS, WEFTS, KINS AND ERRYTHING IN BETWEEN ONLINE: WWW.SHOP.CATFACE.ME – REMEMBER – WE SHIP WORLDWIDE //⠀ ⠀ SUNDAY EVENING TEA // ⠀ ORDER UPDATE: Hey Cool Cats, orders are going out as usual – currently in the studio oven – #BLACKYELLOWOMBRE #PURPLEKINKYMARLEYHAIR & #BLACKMINTBLUEOMBRE – apologies for the delays in email responses – we have been working hard to get all the orders out and most of you should have received order updates over the weekend. We are currently processing returns, refunds & email enquiries so please bare with us <3 / ⠀ IMPORTANT NOTICE: please don't forget we are no longer at the #Brixton, #London. Our landlord was racist and abusive. #STUDIOCATFACE store and studio space is an active creative community space for people of colour from all over the world – a mental health and safety space – so we owe it to every single one of you because we all have at least one vision in common – it is our human right to express ourselves, our identities and cultures without pre-medated threats and acts of violence and abuse. ⠀ In our Brixton space, our landlord's attempt to destroy evidence of their fraudulent money schemes to extort money from the studio, racist and pre-medated abusive acts (for money) they destroyed our products, artworks, studio tech and equipment. This is why we had to move so suddenly from the #Brixton location. It was not a decision made lightly to up and go, but a matter of protecting my little light and also having a safe space to work and a safe space for the Catface community. ⠀ WE ARE CURRENTLY ONLINE ONLY & HAIR APPOINTMENTS WILL RESUME IN LONDON ON JUNE 20.⠀ RIGHT NOW: Join @mariette_immaculate on #CATFACETRAVELS as we set up creative studio labs across the African diaspora. CURRENT LOCATION: #CAPETOWN #SOUTHAFRICA ⠀ We move forward knowing that art is forever, we are young, gifted and BLACK, like the many headed hydra, they cannot own our narrative, wash away our history, claim our blood sweat and tears. You simply are unable to can. ⠀ ** KISS KISS **This year has been a test of everything I believe and stand for and I am grateful for always being supported

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Catface Festival Fashion – Mystical Girl & Cosmic Goddess Vibes

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I love going to festivals because its a great place to see all the amazing artists, style and creative people. Festivals are great to meet like-minded people and that first instance when you notice someone, you are drawn to their look. Festivals are also a great opportunity to rock out an amazing outfit that you wouldn’t usually wear so its always good to take full advantage of being able to express yourself in a crowd full of people who have the same interests. My ultimate festival fashion style is comfortable and easy to manouvre outfits, I definitely don’t want to do a Janet when Im wiling out to Skepta or miss my spot at the front of the stage because I can’t get out of my outfit in the portable loos.

Mystical Girl – A great look for low key, small festivals
I wore this vintage Frank Usher Blouse I found at a Charity shop in Teddington, London. It was not hard to style this piece as it was long enough to get away with some hotpants, When you have a solid black number, you’re good to throw everything on it. I kept my accessories simple with my personal silver jewellery and Michael Kors watch. The beautiful embellishments on my Frank Usher blouse always makes me feel that extra classy so it demanded a handbag with detail and an almost opposing feel. I added my silk and red embroided oriental bag from Japan to carry only my essentials like water, mobile power bank and lady bits and bobs. Sometimes the best way to keep it classy and comfy is pair of shoes that have had a good run but still scrub u well on the big day, I completed this outfit with some classic black brogues I found on eBay.
Cosmic Goddess

One of the reasons why I love  festivals like Lovebox, Glastonbury and Bestival is that you get to dress up and unleash your inner cosmic goddess or glitter queen. My hair is always on point with some colourful hair extensions from Catface Store and I always make time to have them put them in Studio Catface in Brixton. In the last few years, I’ve been too busy to plan my outfits but I’m a fantastic hoarder. When I feel like going all out, I reach for sequins, I like skirts and shorts with textured fabrics, crop tops are also really cute, for girls like me that can be found in the moshpit at any given point, its really good to wear comfy trainers that you won’t miss so much – just in case you have too much fun. The weather in London can be unpredictable so it’s good to have a light throw over  like a trophy jacket, windbreaker, or a denim jacket.

– What to avoid

Big Jackets, you will have to carry it everywhere
trying to be cool. Be sensible, carry your important items in a small bag that can securely strap on to you
Drugs and Alcohol! Know your limits and keep it classy. It’s less hassle going home in an uber rather than an ambulance.
PS: Enjoy the experience you came for!
For festival and style inpiration, follow @mariette_immaculate on Instagram,
Shop hair and festival fashion created by Mariette Immaculate – www.shop.catface.me
Discover fashion, accessories and amazing life & style gems at the new STUDIO CATFACE LONDON
396 COLDARBHOUR LANE, LONDON. SW9 8LF.
Nearest tube: Brixton

WE THE PEOPLE OF AFROPUNK JOHANNESBURG

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What is Afropunk? Afropunk is an international festival that takes places around the globe throughout the year. From my perspective and experience, it is the global hangout spot for people of colour – an international creative community.  I have been fortunate and the stars must’ve have been aligned for me to attend Afropunk in Paris, New York, London and Johannesburg at the end of 2017.

Afropunk goes beyond its festive events, it stands for ideals and beliefs that upholds values of artistic freedom, it also a  tangible platform for free self expression. At the heart of every Twitter debate about Afropunk’s decisions and its mission statement, every party has these ideals and beliefs in common. However, a forward glance at how Afropunk’s events and artist politics/ expression have unravelled has given rise to far too much speculation.

Afropunk is a loving and accepting community but we are also not afraid to voice our thoughts. We The People of Afropunk have that fiery love that will call you out when we feel like its stepping out on us. For an organsiation that is for The People, this would have been an amazing way for Afropunk to give back to the people, almost selflessly. This is not about bashing something that is so important to alot of us – this is our community and we all devote so much of our time, efforts and energy to be a part of it and most importantly, for it ring true for all of us, THE PEOPLE.

 

We do not know the terms, conditions and environment they had to make the festival happen in South Africa but it was a damn crying shame that the ticket prices showed no regard for the national living wage. Some may argue that, well…you could “volunteer” and “pick up litter” to earn your ticket. Really? Is that all we can offer WE THE PEOPLE? Considering the historical and cultural significance of Constitution Hill?

The partnership between these two iconic organizations, AFROPUNK and Constitution Hill is aesthetically one born from a shared spirit and shared values.  Both represent a triumph of inclusion, multi-culturalism and equality for people of all races, genders, colours and creed.  AFROPUNK is a community celebrating black culture within an openness to multiculturalism, making it a perfect fit for a precinct like Constitution Hill that commemorates what a brutal culture of unconstitutionalism did to South Africa, and is now the home of the Constitution that now secures South Africans’ rights.  AFROPUNK chose South Africa because of “the South African Constitution, the possibilities, the beauty, the creativity”.

It is well-known that Constitution Hill was historically a place of degradation. Prisoners were compelled to take part in the “tauza dance”, to ensure that they had nothing hidden in their rectums. The prison was closed in 1983, “leaving a scar on Joburg’s metropolis – a bleak reminder of our painful past”. But now a different, lighter kind of dancing happens on the site which has been creatively transformed into a human rights precinct and is now the home of justice.  The South African people have now reclaimed the space as their own and as a site for their own creative activism and civic engagement. Constitution Hill is therefore a natural site for AFROPUNK to host the first-ever AFROPUNK festival on the continent.

It goes without saying that the Afropunk community is by far the best dressed community in the whole world but we need to start looking beyond the surface and start working together on how WE THE PEOPLE can come together to strengthen our dear community. I guess shared ideals and aesthetic take a little time to cross over from concept to reality.

While I always appreciate a line-up knowing it is curated that way for a particular reason, I do sincerely hope that at the next Afropunk in Africa, African artists make up the bulk of the line up considering the amount of music coming out of Africa, a whole wide continenent.

The first day of Afropunk was a gigantic myth, the weather turned so quickly and very furiously. There was thunder, lighting and a juicy hailstorm that left everyone running for cover. The thing about Africa is that magic, the ancestors, spirituality all goes. The way the storm came down would have had anyone feeling like that was not the day for it but WE THE PEOPLE were not defeated. Some of us left while others stayed knowing they full well paid for the ticket.

A Hail storm always make close ranks with spiritual reflections. Most people got the feeling that the ancestors were not happy with the arrangement. The thunderous rain compelled most people to reconsider the ingredients that brewed this perfect storm. I’m sure it was with a little prayer in their hearts too. By Day 2, the storm had cleared, we welcomed the New Year with half of a yellow sun and the moon also made an appearance too.

I like to go to Afropunk because it’s a great opportunity to see my customers, my friends that live in different parts of the world, make new ones and work on my content projects – I’m currently directing a film on Afrobeats and the culture. find out more – mariette@catface.me

I have never been to South Africa before but many of my friends have, they all encouraged me to make the trip. Despite all the negative press it gets, I was not discouraged to go, not after Afropunk announced it was going there for the first time. Johannesburg is a dangerious city, one is not to be discouraged but to be very careful and take note of all the safety precautions (see some top tips at the end of the post).

 

My friends at Once Youth Hotels were so kind to have me at their Jozi hotel, Once in Joburg. The team is made up of artists, creatives and all round amazing people from around the world. I honestly did not expect this level of customer service in life especially not after two weeks in Nigerian hotels.

My trip was planned and curated by the Once in Joburg team. In my first few days, I met and hungout with the team who are made up of cool, creative artists and all round amazing humans who are ready to help you or hang out with you whenever you want. :) I sampled some traditional South African cuisine and engaged in some next level discussions with the other guests and the Once team on the balcony.

On the third day, we went to Soweto to learn how to make organic African Beer and meet our friends who are traditional Zulu dancers. This was a major highlight of my trip, there’s something about being invited to a family home to experience their way of life and their family history. I was so busy getting to know about South African Cultures and thoughts at Once Youth Hotel’s Once in Joburg’s  Rebirth Festival, there was no space for disappointment that Jozi is not the kind of place you can go walking down the streets with your phone on show.

I spent this morning in #Soweto, Guateng. The smile on her face when she dances is something else, I saw freedom and a young girl claiming her space. You can tell by her eyes that she’s in her own world and as she puts her hand to her ear, she’s telling you that this is beat is sooo good it hurts. Ahhhhh you can never take the beat from #Africa 💫 Thank you @onceinjoburg for making my #SouthAfrica trip a dream and a once in a lifetime experience. Homecoming film is spreading beyond myself and a concept. It’s happening journey, thank you for bringing it to South Africa ✨✨💫 @onceinjoburg @onceyouthhotels 📍🇿🇦 #CATFACEHAIR #CATFACETRAVELS #Johannesburg #SOUTHAFRICA #TRAVEL

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JOZI SAFETY TIPS

– Don’t walk around with your phone out

– Avoid walking around alone, always go out in group

-Do not carry large sums of cash or phones where it is easily accesible

– Uber is your best friend, use it to go door to door

– Have fun but be aware of your surrounds

-Listen to your instincts, if you do not feel comfortable, make an exit.