Style Counsel: Man of threads preaches fashion

Attention is increasingly turning to men's fashion and, as often happens , blogs dedicated to masculine styles are taking off.

Siyabonga Beyile started the blog The Threaded Man last year - and it soon became a ''go to" site to view the latest trends in menswear.

Beyile, 20, from the Eastern Cape, said he thinks there's a lot missing from men's closets.

''It all starts with self-respect and a sense of belonging," he said.

''Today's men can't keep up with women, in fashion and in their careers. I think fashion can empower men to express themselves."

Beyile's journey with African Fashion International started last year when he interned with the company to learn more about the industry, develop his writing skills and brush up on his knowledge of South African trends.

In 2012, he enrolled at Lisof Fashion Design School in Johannesburg, dropping out a year later because his parents could not afford the fees.

But by then he knew he did not want to be a fashion designer.

Instead, he wanted to be a trend analyst, advising designers.

The young blogger's roots have influenced his blogging style.

The name of the blog comes from something his parents said when he first earned his blazer at Wynberg Boys High School.

''They said: 'You are now the threaded man'. When I told my mother I was starting a blog, she said: 'Whatever that is, I hope it supports you'."

After just a year, Beyile is already considered one of the most influential bloggers in South African men's fashion, and even has Destiny Man magazine editor Kojo Baffoe as a follower.

The Threaded Man celebrates the uniquely African style of the nation's sophisticated metro men.

Beyile was part of the launch of the new Stuttafords store in Rosebank, Johannesburg, and has worked with Top Man to promote its summer collection.

Top Man sponsored him to cover its London Fashion Week 2015 spring/summer collection.

Beyile was the youngest man to be nominated for the GQ 2014 Top 50 Best Dressed Men awards on Monday night.

• Follow Beyile's coverage of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Africa, which started last night and runs until Saturday in Melrose Arch, at www.thethreadedman.co.za. For more info about MBFWA see http://afi.za.com/africa/