Introducing #DyadWornByYou with Sisipho Graham, you may recognise him from our “ The Sweet Life Campaign” as one of our gorgeous models, not only is he beautiful and artful at posting with our Dyad bags, he is a dynamic individual with a rich background in the creative industry and a new venture into real estate. Formerly part of the Lookbook team, which produces House & Leisure magazine, Sisipho has left a lasting impression on everyone he's worked with. Those who know him speak highly of his skills, warmth, and professionalism, making him a standout in any field he explores. Join us as we delve into an exciting Q&A about all things style and fashion with our favourite street-style reel maker!
What fashion trend are you currently very into? Are trends your vibe?
Hmmm, I don’t really follow trends. Fashion is cyclical which is a comfort to me because I really like to focus on building a closet that has a lot of unique pieces that aren’t necessarily too elaborate to be attached to a trend. That being said I can definitely appreciate a trend- at the moment I am really enjoying the the look of jorts!
Do you have any daily rituals?
I usually start my day by hitting the snooze button a couple of times (yeah yeah, I’m working on it). I’ll then make my bed very neatly and try to get in a little body stretch. This is followed by brushing my teeth, washing my face and having a morning coffee with my mom. Then I tackle the task of “what-am-I-wearing-today”. If all goes smoothly, I’ll only be 10 minutes late for work.
We loved seeing your recent trip to Europe! Tell us where you went and which city was your favourite.
Thank you!! I went to Barcelona and fell in love with the city (and a wonderful person). We mostly stayed in Barcelona as I was only there for 3 weeks and wanted to discover as much as I could of Barcelona.
Highlight of the trip would be seeing Troye Sivan and Charli XCX at Primavera Sound, going to Sitges Pride and EVERY SINGLE MEAL I HAD. Barcelona? 10/10 would recommend!
With the growing freedom in fashion, we're seeing more men blend feminine and masculine elements in their style. Is this something you consider or a topic that resonates with you?
Absolutely! I suppose I identify as a male but my expression is very gender fluid. I love to play with silhouettes and textures! The idea that self expression should be limited by something as arbitrary and archaic as gender norms really hurts my heart because I have found so much joy in wearing whatever the F*CK I want.
That being said, I understand the influence that conformity has on us, I used to paint my nails all the time and wear lots of traditionally feminine clothing like skirts and dresses.
I really appreciate this question! it’s decided- I’m going to paint my nails tonight.
How do you express your individuality through your style?
How long do you have to chat haha? My main focuses are harmony, versatility and comfort. I think that for any ‘good’ outfit there is a shared understanding that all of the items need to work well together: whether it be through colour, shape, texture, etc.
My wardrobe is an accumulation of items that I have collected over the years that work well with each other and that can be used over and over again in different outfits giving a different energy when paired with other items in my closet.
I am currently in my blue era (seen by my baby blue Adidas Spezials and blue Artclub and Friends crewneck)
What is your favourite item in your closet at the moment?
I got a pair of white off-white dungarees from Artclub and Friends which I love! The only problem is that I can be pretty accident prone (especially when eating oily food iykyk) so I have to be careful.
I am also loving my new beanie from PLAINS, the devil/ cat ears are a great statement!
What 3 fashion or decor items are on your wishlist at the moment?
Which brand, local or international do you feel most inspired by in the fashion space?
Loewe has always been fun! I love the insane creative vision of David Roseberry at Schiaparelli and I’ve always had an appreciation for the cheeky yet elegant uniform aesthetic that Thom Browne has created.
What do you wish more people knew about the creative and entrepreneurial spirit or South Africa (South Africans)
That each story we tell as a people is so beautifully complex and compelling.
As a model and creative all-rounder, what about the industry inspires you the most?
To me it’s the idea that creativity and style can be expressed in so many different ways. I am really inspired by the way that expression in the creative industry can come from a single vision/ idea. The way that (especially local) people can build something exceptional out of very little.
Which South African designers are you loving at the moment and why?
I really love the whimsical aesthetic that Artho Eksteen is putting out. His designs are so colourful and imaginative & his collection titled Nature’s Portrait is fabulous- the Eel Collar Shirt is gorgeous!!
Do you remember the first bag or key fashion piece that you ever received? Tell us more about it!
Well my first bag was a plastic My Little Pony knock-off bag which I adored with all my heart (pic above)!! I have this very distant but distinct memory of me walking through the cold winter streets of Bariloche, Argentina and swinging it back and forth in my hand as I skipped down the street with my mom by my side- I must have been 5 years old.
I only really got my first ‘handbag’ a couple years ago, it was a nylon bucket bag which I still have to this day although she has seen better days. I donned her the curious name of “Bucket” and whenever I would lose her on a night out (which would happen more often than I’m proud to admit) we would run around the space in a frenzy asking random people if they had seen “Bucket”. Shout out to my friend, Jess (Solly), who had a larger leather version of Bucket that we would call “Mama Bucket”.
Sisipho wear's the Wave Bag in Sky Blue and Black
