Wanted Online: Getting to know Bilala Mabuza

What is the one indulgence you would never forgo?

A day well spent at the spa.

What are your essential lotions and potions?

I swear by QMS Medicosmetics — particularly the serums.

What gadget couldn’t you live without?

My iPhone and AirPods. An entire studio in my pocket!

 If you had to choose, what is the single most sentimental object to you?

My grandmother’s silver wedding handbag. Style has no expiry date.

What is your drink of choice?

I am a wine enthusiast, and attended wine courses at the Cape Wine Academy.

When you eat out, where do you go?

Signature Restaurant in Morningside, Sandton — I helped to conceptualise the restaurant and continue to be their designer and biggest fan.

If you had to narrow it down, what element in your wardrobe signifies your individual sense of style?

I fell in love with Tom Ford during his Gucci days, and my black Tom Ford jacket has stood the test of time. Locally, Tiaan Nagel is my go-to designer. I love his architectural approach to dressing a woman.

What was the last object that you picked up on a shopping expedition that you fell in love with?

I am not a huge sneaker person — I’ll always choose espadrilles instead. But a friend finally persuaded me to buy white sneakers in Milan, and I obliged.

The last place you travelled to that captured your heart?

Milan always feeds my deep appreciation of skilled craftsmanship in furniture design and fashion.

What book can we find on your bedside table?

I’m re-reading The Chiffon Trenches: A Memoir because I simply adore André Leon Talley. He was larger than life, wrote beautifully, and totally transports you to the world of fashion and design.

Which musicians really appeal to you at the moment?

I love Al Jarreau and Uncle Hugh Masekela, two great musical geniuses.

What’s next on your list of musthave items?

A French Hat lighting piece by @mosproducts.

14. Who are your favourite interior designers?

I love Sheila Bridges for making it possible for Black girls to dream of this career when there were so few role models on TV back in the day, and Kelly Wearstler for her longevity and continually pushing the envelope of design and fashion.

The best gift you’ve been given recently?

A gift that you’ve recently bought for someone?

Art by Thokozani Mthiyane. We have an incredible art community in this country.

What place inspires and rejuvenates you?

Marrakesh. There is a deep sense of design, and local influences can be seen everywhere.

A place that’s recently caught your attention?

Jnane Tamsna in Marrakesh is a glorious boutique hotel owned by my friend Meryanne Loum-Martin and her beautiful family.

Do you naturally infuse your femininity into every project or is it more considered than that?

I design pieces with curves and soft forms. These appeal to my feminine sensibility and the way I choose to live.

You were one of a few designers selected to decorate show apartments at the City Centre development at Steyn City — what do you think was the appeal of your work?

I understood my clients and could clearly visualise how they would choose to live in that luxury resort apartment in the heart of Steyn City. The space had to be furnished meaningfully for maximum living and entertaining, with special art and accessory pieces collected over time.


Football news:

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Kane on Tuchel: A wonderful man, full of ideas. Thomas in person says what he thinks
Zarema about Kuziaev's 350,000 euros a year in Le Havre: Translate it into rubles - it's not that little. It is commendable that he left
Aleksandr Mostovoy on Wendel: Two months of walking around in the middle of nowhere and then coming back and dragging the team - that's top level
Sheffield United have bought Euro U21 champion Archer from Aston Villa for £18.5million
Alexander Medvedev on SKA: Without Gazprom, there would be no Zenit titles. There is a winning wave in the city. The next victory in the Gagarin Cup will be in the spring
Smolnikov ended his career at the age of 35. He became the Russian champion three times with Zenit

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1:00 Israel-Hamas war already hitting regional economies: IMF chief
0:00 Palestinian sings to ‘block out’ roar of Israel strikes
21:34 DA: Gauteng Premier’s anti-corruption unit is grossly understaffed
21:23 Russia and China veto draft resolution on Gaza at UN
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21:09 Customs officials jailed after accomplice who swallowed 89 balls of cocaine turns state witness
21:00 ‘Frozen in time’ landscape discovered under Antarctic ice
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20:24 Viral YouTube Short | Infant of expectant mother in Israeli airstrikes miraculously rescued [Video]
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20:14 EDITORIAL | The Samas is an expensive indulgence provincial government can ill-afford
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20:06 Tears and joy as miners return to the surface after hostage drama
20:01 Gauteng health department clarifies policy on free health care for migrant mothers
20:01 Scrutiny on child nutrition after deaths of seven children from ‘food poisoning’
20:01 Court orders custody inquiry after child is removed from uncles’ care
20:00 British ex-police officer jailed for child sex offences
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19:37 Uzalo live updates: A big brawl exposes Hlelo’s secret
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19:13 Viral YouTube Short | Grief, sorrow after Palestinian girl discovers her mom’s body [Video]
19:12 Ex-minister Dipuo Peters flouted ethics code: committee
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19:00 South Africa risks 15 000 deaths by 2050 if green transition delayed – study
18:59 WATCH: Leopard takes a stroll along Western Cape dam wall
18:57 Coronation dumps platinum stocks
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18:54 Competition watchdog must protect small businesses against big tech: Patel
18:49 Joburg Transport MEC Kenny Kunene launches new world-class tech for Metrobus fleet
18:48 Republican Mike Johnson elected US House speaker after weeks of infighting
18:40 WATCH: SA man conducts bathroom experiment shows how women with long nails wipe their bums, video goes viral
18:40 House of Zwide live updates: Zola professes his love for Zanele
18:30 MasterChef Australia announces new judge line-up after Jock Zonfrillo’s death
18:27 NIKIWE: Tonight’s episode, 25 October 2023 [VIDEO]
18:27 Cake-loving Ox Nche hopes for sweet taste of success in World Cup final
18:18 Renault to invest $3.2bn in eight new models for global relaunch
18:17 Daily Lotto results: Wednesday, 25 October 2023
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18:05 Drama as parrot predicts Springboks’ win in Rugby World Cup final (Video)
18:01 IEC ‘anxiously awaits’ Constitutional Court ruling on election law
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17:38 The CRAZY prices of 2023 Rugby World Cup final tickets
17:35 Australia drub the Dutch after Maxwell mayhem
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