Designer heels make Bonang's heart beat faster

20 February 2017 - 14:02 By Rea Khoabane
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Bonang Matheba shows off one of the three Gucci bags in her enviable wardrobe.
Bonang Matheba shows off one of the three Gucci bags in her enviable wardrobe.
Image: Bonang Matheba/Instagram

Queen B opens up about being a fashion influencer and her love of luxe labels

"My personal style evolves with my mood, but I'd describe it as incredibly elegant and very, very glamorous. I'm known for my killer red-carpet looks, which are usually very simple and always on trend," Bonang Matheba told the Sunday Times.

Matheba said she started paying attention to her looks when she was a presenter on SABC1's music show Live. "I make an effort to look the way I do from the moment I step out of my house."

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Her hair is one of her top priorities. She has 10 custom-made wigs. On average they cost R7,000 and the most expensive she owns is worth R15,000.

Queen B also has a collection of pricey designer shoes that would make Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw squeal with delight.

Matheba said buying her first pair of Christian Louboutin heels for R11,500 was her first taste of high-end fashion.

"I've been in love with the shoe brand ever since I could afford it. I have 30 pairs of Christian Louboutin shoes, three Gucci bags and some items from Louis Vuitton. Lately I saw myself purchasing something from Dolce & Gabbana."

When it comes to picking the right outfit for red carpet events, she often favours local designer Gert-Johan Coetzee.

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With 1.4 million Instagram followers and over 1 million Facebook fans, it's fair to Matheba is a heavyweight fashion influencer.

She's not shy about showing off her designer wardrobe on social media, but said it's important to get the balance right. "I balance luxury brands with non-luxury so that I'm also able to influence other people with the little that they have."

Matheba said that even though local celebs post luxury items on social media, the South African entertainment industry is still too small for anyone to clinch a deal as a luxury brand ambassador.

While some brands are keen to cash in on her popularity, they're not always keen to share the wealth.

"I've been approached to wear a brand to a party and keep it, and I refuse because it doesn't bring money into my bank account," she said.

"The more I grow, the more I realise the importance of my brand, and if you don't see the power of Bonang Matheba then you don't deserve to work with me."

Bonang's Instagram feed offers plenty of high-end #shoeporn:

Christian Louboutin

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Tom Ford

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This article is adapted from one originally published in the Sunday Times. Read the original article.

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