That’s a wrap on our Lockdown Looks outfit challenge! We created this challenge, because we wanted you to remind you that you can have fun with your outfits, and get dressed up, even during lockdown. But, we also wanted to use this challenge to highlight, amplify, share and celebrate BIPOC brands, style influencers, artists, writers and musicians.
It has been a week filled with joy! We loved seeing all your stylish outfits, and looking into all the BIPOC that you highlighted. To end off the week, we thought we’d do a little recap and compile a list of all the BIPOC that were mentioned, so that you can return to it whenever you are looking for some inspiration.
Monday: Mask on, but make it fashion
Show us how you style your mask, so that it keeps you protected AND looking stylish. What BIPOC-owned brand do you love and is on your wishlist?
BIPOC-owned brands:
Aliya Wanek , Amagove , Chelsea Bravo , Earth Toned Collective , Edas , Elia Vintage , Imprint ZA , Linoto , Lulasclan , Masa Mara , Maxhosa , Nala , Name Brand , Omi Woods , Rafal , Sindiso Khumalo , Sotela , Tribal Unicorn , Two Days Off , Ukhamba Beerworx , Valoyi , Zou Xou .
Tuesday: Spark joy on your walk
Create an outfit that sparks joy for you or to make someone else smile. Who’s a BIPOC that influences your style or whose style brings joy to you?
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🚶♀️// Spark joy on your walk . I’ve been trying to go for walks regularly, mostly just around my neighborhood, because moving my body and seeing some nature really helps to calm my mind. Since we have to wear masks, I can’t smile at people I pass, so I like to try and wear something bright in the hopes that it sparks joy and makes them smile 🌈 . I recently finished crocheting this scarf, which was inspired by a beautiful jersey that @cookiecat.herine made. One day, I hope I’ll be as good at crocheting as @cookiecat.herine is! . On the topic of sparking joy, scrolling through @tamumcpherson , @nnennaechem , and @thenxcvintage (slow fashion), @nextwearer (slow fashion), @thatcurlytop (slow fashion) and @aslclothes ‘s (slow fashion) accounts has been sparking so much joy for me, lately 💛 . [Image description: Stella does a twirl while on a mountain walk. Behind her, is a lush green mountain and a blue sky. She wears a colourful crocheted scarf and green mask, which she hopes sparked joy for those walking by.]
A post shared by cnscs_ (@cnscs_) on Jun 30, 2020 at 8:44am PDT
BIPOC style influencers:
@aslclothes , @beforeandagain_ , @bolorma812 , @branson.chase , @champagnemani , @coconut_cracked , @colormecourtney , @ivintageyakho , @jazminvegaz , @just.try.it.on , @nextwearer , @nnennaechem , @paulbinam_ , @_sarahchuck , @sheerahr , @sisiliapiring , @stella_hertantyo , @styleaffair_ruth , @styleisstyle , @tamumcpherson , @thatcurlytop , @theikonickay , @thelanguageofyolande , @thenxcvintage , @yuthanan_ .
Wednesday: Snail mail
Show us what you’d wear on a trip to the post office when you send a loved one a card or letter. Since post cards can be like little artworks, who’s a BIPOC artist that you love?
BIPOC artists/illustrators:
Amy Ayanda , Antoinette Thomas , Athi-Patra Ruga , Cassi A. Namoda , Dope Black Art , Esther Mahlangu , Fabiola Jean-Louis , Jordyntoohey , Josefina H. Sanders , Kadir Nelson , Kenesha Sneed , Kgabo Mametja , Kyzia Wint , Lady Skollie , Mary Sibande , Melissa Koby , Nabeeha Mohamed , Niki Dionne , Nobukho Nqaba , Qew Doodles , Rosie Lee Tompkins , Tony Gum , Whaletran , Yayoi Kusama , Zanele Muholi , Zee-Feels .
Thursday: Booked and Busy
What would you wear on a trip to the bookstore? We hope that you are using this as an opportunity to invest in some anti-racist reads. What book have you enjoyed or learned a lot from written by a BIPOC?
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📚 // Booked and Busy . Today I went on an outing to @booklounge – a local, independent bookstore in Cape Town – and ended up investing in three new books that I’m very excited to read! Browsing through a bookstore and picking out a new book (or three!) is one of my favorite ways to treat myself. Also, my outfit kinda matched the colour scheme of the bookstore – yay! . Most of my favorite BIPOC authors don’t have Instagram, so I can’t tag them. But, today, I wanted to highlight local writer, Pumla Dineo Gqola, and her book, ‘Reflecting Rogue: Inside The Mind Of A Feminist’. I read this book after hearing Pumla talk on a panel, and I felt compelled to read her work. This is a collection of autobiographical, reflective essays on “living, loving and thinking as a feminist.” It’s one of those books that always has something more to give, and something more to teach you, and I’m certain I’ll be returning to it at many points throughout my life. . [Image description: Stella stands in front of @booklounge (a local, independent bookstore) holding a few books – some of them belong to her and some to her mom. She wears a beige corduroy hat, a thrifted leather jacket, a deep orange polo neck, black pants and brown boots.]
A post shared by cnscs_ (@cnscs_) on Jul 2, 2020 at 7:35am PDT
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POV: you’re at the bookstore and see me walking past you in the history section. You strike up a conversation, hoping to impress me with your extensive knowledge of WWII battleships. I’m bored. You try to change subjects to American history, noticing my copy of A People’s History of the United States. I perk up until you start justifying the bootstrap theory. I begin to talk about the exploitation of women and POC within this capitalist society and how the invention of the factory system has only increased the exploitation of workers by the wealthy elite. You try to play devil’s advocate but I’m annoyed. Oh no. You realize I’m not your dream aesthetic shy-girl, not-like-other-girls, quirky cool bookworm. Oh god. Someone stop her. Your masculinity!!! Your intelligence!!! Your feelings!!! . [Anyone else immediately picture That Guy when reading the POV? I sure did 😂] I was going to post a cute smiling pic of me for today’s #lockdownlooks (hosted by @cnscs_) but then realized actually, I’m mostly annoyed at bookstores 🤷🏻♀️ I think I radiate strong “please tell me about your Intellectual Thoughts” or something? Get outta here with this “you’re not like other girls” nonsense. I am BOOKED and BUSY . While I’ve been reading anti-racist works by Black authors, I also wanted to highlight my favorite genre: fantasy. Are you tired of another bland-ass Tolkien-wannabe? Are you bored of yet another dystopian setting with only white people? Are you exhausted by wildly popular novels that preach acceptance but the author is a TERF?? 👀 Time to diversify our genre picks! Some Black fantasy authors & their work I’ve really enjoyed: . ⭐️ Wizard of the Crow, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o ⭐️ The Icarus Girl, Helen Oyeyemi ⭐️ Akata Witch, Nnedi Okorafor ⭐️ Zoo City, Lauren Beukes ⭐️ The Rage of Dragons, Evan Winter ⭐️ Black Leopard, Red Wolf, Marlon James . top // thrifted, ralph lauren pants // levi’s belt // poshmark, american eagle backpack // @mattandnat
A post shared by E (@eis4extra) on Jul 2, 2020 at 10:10am PDT
Books by BIPOC authors:
We decided to make a shelf on GoodReads for all of your suggestions. Find it here
Friday: Party on top, sweats on the bottom
Zoom parties are still a thing. Who’s a BIPOC musician you’ll be playing at your online party?
BIPOC musicians:
‘Black Joy’ – a Spotify playlist by Masego Morgan
‘Black Girls in Om’ – a Spotify playlist by Masego Morgan
Luh’ra , Hunter Rose , Mereba , Ipeleng , Darkie Fiction , Morena Leraba , Teboho Mochaoa , Mahalia , Masego , Jorja Smith , Skip Marley , Ari Lennox , Jidenna , Alicia Keys , Beyoncé , Rihanna , Bongeziwe Mabandle
Thank you so much to everyone that participated in our Lockdown Looks challenge. Thank you for being a part of our cnscs_ community. We hope we managed to spark some joy in your week!
With love,
Masego & Stella
cnscs_ 
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