Cove is a two parted fashion proposal that was founded by Mr. Shema Kaitekirwa in the year 2013. Through rigorous brainstorming and polishing of the idea, associates Mr. Bongi Mthembu and Ntando Mkhwanazi became a part of the core team to this business venture. 

As mentioned, Cove is a two-parted business looking to satisfy a gap in both online retail in South Africa and the Fashion Industry as a whole. The first and most prominent part of the business is the online/social media side, where consumers have the ability to log onto the site (www.covefashion.co.za) and buy items of fashion from a wide variety of brands at cheaper prices than other outlets. Cove seeks to be associated with the consumer with a high fashion sense, the consumer that voices their opinion on what they like and the consumer that seeks to express themselves through the clothes that they wear. In this vain, we try to have products that are of a certain 'level' so as to attract the 'right consumer'. To add to this image the brand Cove is trying to portray, the website has a social networking side to it in which various users may upload three outfits which best represent who they are. This idea was thought about by the team as a potential way that users can engage with others on various outfits and ultimately to have trends take off from the Cove Fashion Site. 

The South African fashion industry is relatively small when compared on the international stage, which we at Cove find very alarming seeing as the country is so diverse and culture plays a huge role on how people in this country dress. Through Cove we as a team look to change that, through providing people with a platform to show the world what the typical South African chooses to wear and hopefully starting trends in the process. Cove is way that potential designers that do not have the resources available to them can show the world who they are. it is also a way that the average 'glamour girl/boy' can show their preferences to others and discuss. The second side to Cove is a fashion application that will profoundly change the way online shopping is done. This is still under construction.

THE RETURN OF THE NEW BREED

Thought we were gone for good? Never that.

 We haven’t been away for no reason. We listened to how you guys thought we could be better and have since, spent weeks working hard to make sure you guys fall in love again. This time, for good. We’ve reconstructed, polished and dusted our blog and trust you’ll be more than pleased with what’s in store for you.

We’re in constant pursuit of perfection as The Quadrant and with the work we’ve put in the past few weeks, we are confident you’ll agree we’re heading in the right direction.

You can look forward to new spins on old features, an interactive vlog by two of the most stylish guys on Rhodes campus dedicated to Men’s Fashion and The Quadrant opening up to a wider demographic as Owethu, now based in Joburg, covers events that are happening there.  You’ll have to keep glued to our blog to find out more.

For now, enjoy what we bring you this week.  Sunday is our favourite day of the week and with The Quadrant releasing new content every Sunday, we don’t see why it’s not YOUR favourite day. Remember to catch us on IG as The_Quadrant, on Twitter as the The_Quadrant4 and and and like our Facebook page. 

Planes, Spheres, Spaces, Bodies.

-         - The Quadrant

What we wear: Campus Style

This week we took it upon ourselves to try something a little different for our first style shoot of the year. We used people as our muses to inspire our outfit choices without being too literal, we took artists/ pop culture icons whom we think best fit our personal style. Looking forward to doing more themed style shoots, at the end of the day we are students and when it comes to clothes comfort is definitely a first.We’d love to know what you think. The style shoots will now include Palesa, Thembi and Nqo. We hope you love the pictures, we had a fun time shooting. 

Photo credit: Zama Mncube

Nqobile

 My artist inspiration was Rihanna , I absolutely loved the see through top she wore at Paris fashion week, her being Rih made it even edgier by wearing it with no bra.

Top: the Local Chinese Store . Boyfriend Jeans: Fashion Fusion. Denim long sleeve Top: Mr Price. Combat boots: Shop in Chatsworth, Durban.

Palesa

 My artist inspiration is Solange. I just dig her easy yet stylish vibe. She is a veteran when it comes to mixing prints so she definitely inspired my outfit choice. I like to take risks without looking too crazy, clothes are fun and Solange knows exactly how to push the experimenting envelope.

Shirt- Anisa Mpungwa at Mr Price, Skirt- Custom made, Shoes- Mr Price, Necklace- Mr Price

Bangles- Bloemfontein Street Market, Sunnies - Thrift store

Thembelilhle

My style inspiration was Karrueche Tran channelling Tupac. Tupac pioneered so much of what’s in fashion today, especially the classic bandana. I had fun channelling his style into something feminine, yet so iconically ‘Pac. 

Bandana – my own,  Plaid shirt – Woolworths , White crop top – The Quadrant merchandise. Black boxers – Mr Price, Chinos – Mr Price ,Converse All Star – Street Fever

By : Palesa Kgasane

Introducing the QuadMen Vlog : Bongani Dzeya and Tanaka Chibanda on Men's Fashion.

Two of the most stylish gentlemen on Rhodes Campus share with us their favourite looks for this season, the dos and donts in fashion and what's hot right now in the world of fashion. Drop them a comment on our YouTube page and watch them as they help guys and girls look their best, ALWAYS. 

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6L6RYzCb7E

by Thembi Ngcai

FOODGASAM 

We are all always looking for great places to eat in Grahamstown, hearing that a Mexican restaurant had reopened had my stomach doing somersaults of happiness. I dragged my friends along down New Street to go try out Casa De Loco.

Walking into the restaurant, after a warm welcome from the waiters you immediately notice the decor. The walls are a vibrant rich colour of burnt orange, giving off the feeling of watching a sunset.  The soft music playing in the background and the smell of the scented candles creates the ideal ambiance. Perfect enough for any occasion, whether it’s dinner out with friends or simply a romantic date with someone special.

The unique looking bread they serve, (which I later found out were bread chips), has a crunchy saltiness that is balanced out by the smooth creaminess of the sauce you dip it into.  The food is presented in an elegant manner; the flavours have your taste buds dancing for more. The chicken wings are one of the best I’ve tasted so far. The slight crispiness and tenderness of the meat, coupled with the red hot sauce adds that extra kick. Creating the perfect union of spicy, tanginess that makes you regret for only ordering one portion.  The beef empanadas delicate but firm enough to handle, once placed in the mouth, you feel that silky fluffiness of the pastry and immediately get hit by the succulence of the beef. This small Mexican hideaway is a definite one to try out, the menu has other various scintillating items that one can order and be satisfied with.

By: Nqobile Mtshali

Campus Style

We always tend to relate clothes to the people who wear them and it’s true, clothes say so much about how we feel on a particular day. It goes beyond the garment and the material and to take away from the superficial, growing up has allowed us to have a deeper appreciation for the clothes we wear. In as much as it is only external, feeling good is sometimes just a pair of high waited jeans and heels away. Here are more of our personal fashion styles done the quad squad way.
Photos taken by Zama Mcube and Anelisa Mpafa

Owethu

Song I'm playing: Bossy - Kelis

My inspiration is great weather deserves a great outfit. i had just got my fade done,i was feeling wavy so i decided to wear a fun outfit that captured my mood and the energy of the day.

top: topshop.
skirt:mr price
shoes: legit.



Lily

Song I'm playing: Rick Ross' song 'So Sophisticated' plays in my head when I see this look.

The outfit was not inspired by anything specific. I wanted something simple and easy and this is what I came up with.

Crop Top : TopShop 

Shorts: Meltz 

Neckpiece: Legit

 Shoes: Mr Price




Nqo

my favourite song i think would go with my outfit is Nora Jones- Chasing pirates

My inspiration for this outfit was i wanted to look like marshmallow sort of yummy and the soft colours of the outfit did that for me.

 

Top: Thrifted
Jersey: Thrifted
Shorts: Mr Price
Shoes: Mr Price

Palesa

My song: Lovers in The Parking Lot - Solange instantly came to mind when I thought about this day and the outfit.

My outfit was inspired by me. I love print, specifically African print and love incorporating that into a more modern look. I designed and helped custom make my dungaree/ playsuit and when I finally got to wear it I wanted to give it a little edge but still be laid back. It worked well for the weather and my day on campus.

Dungaree- Designed by Palesa(me) and custom made.
 Maroon bowler hat- H&M
 Black vest dress (worn as a top)- Mr Price
 Converse All Stars- Sportscene
 Gold Chain- Aldo
Gold stud earrings- Mr price




xx

RIHANNA Diamonds World Tour

It has nearly been a week after The Queen Rihanna, whome the quad squad are all fans of, graced us with her presence at the Johannesburg part of her Diamond’s World Dour. It is safe to say that I still have post concert depression and this probably goes for a whole lot of her fans.

At the tender age of 24 Rihanna has numerous hits under her belt, 7 albums, high par endorsement deals and a career that is incomparable to most. She still maintains a strong home grounding and we absolutely adore her  fashion sense and bad girl attitude. Rihanna takes risks with her music and her style, this is why she is our style icon. The star arrived on the 12^th of October at OR international and social networks went crazy because everyone was trying to get a glimpse of Rihanna.

My arrival in Johannesburg came with a burst of excitement, half pinching myself in disbelief and half imagining the experience of seeing one of my childhood and current Idols live. The countdown October 13^th was one that had started from the moment I got my ticket in April.  When we got to the stadium we settled in to our general seating places which were a bit far from the Queen’s place on stage so as a stan and Rihanna Navy I felt it was an injustice to not be right in front to see her. I literally walked around the stadium trying to look for spare golden circle tickets and when that mission failed I went back to my seat defeated. The lights went off Rihanna opened her show with her first song and the crowd went completely crazy. I cried whilst singing along to Fresh off The Runway with my cousin and sister and I knew I had to make another plan to get into golden circle. I mustered the courage to walk to the gate and go try my luck by asking a security guard to let me in- my persuasion skills worked and I’m pretty sure my story about what a big fan I am touched him.

The opening act was electronic dance duo, GTA and they entertained us with an hour long of hecticly cool dance jams and fist pumping music. “Rihanna where are you?” Fans yelled as the clock approached 8:15pm. After she finally hit the stage, she held it under siege. She sang most of her hits- ranging from the very first hits to the current chart blazers. She opened with her single from the Unapologetic album “Fresh off the runway” and it was quite a show. She wore a very Janet Jackson circa 1980’s inspired look: embellished black pants and jacket suit as well as a matching embellished cap. Although she did not have any outfit changes until the end, I loved watching her and she brought the stage alive. Her big hits “Pour it up” and “Where have you been?” got us all moving. From where I stood, I could not see a single empty seat, Soccer City stadium was full to the brim and it was all for the Queen . The last song she sang was “Diamonds” fittingly and the crowd went crazy, we were all singing in unison and it was such a beautiful moment. Rihanna gave us a final “Thank you, Jo-hannes-BURG, I love you and I’ll be sure to come back soon”. My heart melted and I wished she stayed longer.

 

The most memorable part of the night was when a fan gave her the South African flag which she then wore as she left the stage- another salute to the vibrant audience who had given her a warm welcome to our country. I don’t think I will ever forget the experience. Thank you Rihanna for making my year. The quad squad will forever remember the diamonds world tour.


Some pictures of what went down outside before the concert at Soccer City.

xx