Everybody’s Furry!

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There is something about a woman in a short dress. The way the dress stops and her legs just start. And when the wind blows against her, stretching the fabric across her body, the world collectively holds its breath. Add to that some tights, worn under a shorter dress. And heels. A short black dress with blood red heels.

But when you see a woman with a broken heel in the streets in the morning, hobbling around with the offending heel in one hand and a look of horror on her face. It’s epic and cinematic.

There is also something about a man who wears shorts and doesn’t have legs like mine. Or a fitting blazer with a kerchief peeking from the breast pocket. The elegance of a man wearing a terrific fitting suit over expensive shoes is incomparable and as he stands waiting in the lobby for the elevator, hands hanging by his side, his smell also stands next to him, staring as the elevator floors illuminate blue. I’m always asking complete strangers – men – “Hey, man, what scent is that?” I once asked Dr. Ngayu, the gynecologist what scent he was wearing and we struck a rapport. It was the only way for me to strike a rapport with him considering I don’t have the usual parts he focuses on.

I have always wanted to have a fashion column here, but what do I know about fashion? Jack-shit. So I looked for a writer who can wax lyrical about fashion, someone who can make clothes look intimate, someone to decode the relationship we attempt to forge with clothes and how those clothes define us.

Over the past few months I have been incubating Hanafi Kaka the gadget guy we had last week and Margaret Muiruri in a WhatsApp group that we call the Outliers. Margaret is a fashion-head and an all-time cool chick. Her writing is saucy and spicy. She will be writing things fashion here going forward.

Gang, meet Margaret Muiruri

Maggie, adjust your pencil skirt and educate these here folk…

***

I don’t love rain. I appreciate a good storm, when I have no place to go or anything to do. El Nino is coming, says the weatherman. The skies are dark and full of terrors. But that shouldn’t turn us all into such gloomy gusses. And what better way to brave the rain than with a fine wardrobe?

Much as I dislike the impromptu downpours that get people scampering gracelessly for the nearest shelters, and have women unleashing those ugly little polythene bags over their weaves, the rain comes with a few perks of its own.

One, I get to wear my pretty pink pajamas to bed; as opposed to sleeping butt naked because the sweltering heat makes my apartment feel like a crematorium, even with the portable fan on and the windows open. And two, I get to dress up to the nines. Yay! (Man, God knows how much I missed dressing for the cold!).

So on a wonderful rainy day, you’ll find me rocking my grey, all-fur trench coat with silver military buttons running all the way down to my knees. I’ll be wearing my purple pencil skirt, and clucking along the pavements in my black, solid pumps. I’ll have one hand in my pocket, and the other one holding up a black, fashion-forward, monster umbrella. I look sensational; like a soul diva, without the too much makeup or a large mass of hair. That’s what he says every time he narrates our first encounter. (He is obsessed with soul music this one). He says he’d been picturing a blurry street speeding past me as I walked and that he kept feeling like I would stop at any minute to join a bunch of afro’d dancers in tight shirts and bell-bottoms, the whole time I was crossing the road to join the group of guys taking shelter in the Chase bank hallway, where he was also standing.

I got to the hallway and flapped my umbrella down. I placed it against the wall and began adjusting my coat and skirt. When I looked up, I met with his eyes. He had been watching me. I felt slightly uncomfortable so I let out a nervous smile. He smiled back; then he began moving towards me. Oh shit, what have I done? He looked like one of those fancy beach boys – tall, broad, with brown hair that looked like it had been electrocuted – and I wasn’t up for another round of shameless flirting, only to be propositioned to a wild night of torrid lovemaking that will soothe my soul and inflame my loins, at the end of the conversation. I crossed my arms defensively and lay back against the wall with my eyes turned towards the traffic, away from him. He said hi, and I replied with a curt hi then took out my phone and started scrolling, at nothing specifically, but just to make it clear that the smile was not an invitation for him to start hitting on me. “Aki si you look great!” He remarked. He said it in that guttural, unmistakable Nairobian way that made me look up from my phone with delight. Now he had my attention. At this point I should mention that this was all happening in Malindi. See, when you’ve been in Malindi for a while and then you meet someone that can speak in English, someone that doesn’t believe conversation has to be peppered with graphic PG 18 terminologies, and doesn’t call vyombo ‘zombo’, you want to literally run up to them and give them a teary bear hug and hope they never leave.

“Thanks,” I said. Then an uncomfortable silence followed. He wasn’t looking bad himself, but I couldn’t point it out now that he had just complimented my dressing. It would have seemed too dutiful, too drawn-out and insincere so I held my tongue. He had on a black fitting leather jacket zipped up to the chin, a pair of dark blue jeans and white loafers. He too, had his hands in his coat pockets, pulling the jacket at the waist and accentuating his pert, rounded behind. He has a great ass… sinfully sexy! Men shouldn’t have such great asses, it’s intimidating. The rain took on a fresh intensity, making all communication strained. He edged closer and said “I like the fur!” after which I leaned in and quipped, “I like the leather!” in the same playful tone he had used. He laughed, throwing back his pointy-haired head. And just like that, the ice had been broken.

I must admit, I’ve been obsessed with this fur fashion thing for a while, but I hadn’t gotten around to wearing it until quite recently. See, fur has always struck me as an excessively costly and adult possession. It is, in fact, one of the earliest forms of fashion; traditional and classic. A prestigious purchase for royalty. Fur expresses luxury and extravagance, not to mention elegance and drama! It reminds me of Taraji P. Henson in the Empire series. Don’t you just love how she worked her fur? This rainy season I plan to go crazy with fur. I have a whole collection of fur coats, fur scarves, fur hats, vintage faux and fur-topped booties lined up. So El Nino, I eagerly await you.

I like to keep the rest of the look light and simple when I put on fur. Because fur already has a tendency to make the frame look larger than it actually is, so wearing anything else that’s bulky makes the whole look tasteless, which I am not. Besides, it’s EL Nino for God’s sake, not the dreaded Game of Thrones’ winter. Also, fur by nature looks extravagant and if worn with other items that are also grandiose, makes you look pompous and vain. The rule of thumb is to take a minimalist approach with fur, otherwise the look gets overpowering.

Now fur, of course, is not morally stainless. It is one of the few areas where money and ethics converge in fashion. With animal rights activists flapping their gums and holding rallies outside fashion shows, fur seemed to be going the way of the whalebone corset. Until earlier this year when Fendi, the Roman fashion house, raised them a defiant middle finger and held the first fur-only extravaganza dubbed ‘Haute Fourrure’. If there was any question that the animal rights lobby had lost the luxury battle, this show would seem a definitive answer. That show was sold out!
Quite frankly, I don’t know what the hoopla is all about. Animal fur seems to me a very ethical and customary fashion element. Even God endorsed it, ask Adam and Eve. I don’t discriminate on furs personally. I put on all fur – animal, and synthetic. But if you think about it: fur from animals is a renewable resource, while petroleum, the basis of synthetic fur, is not; which means there will be ‘real’ fur long after the last oil wells are empty. Just saying. For the record I’m not starting a movement here, so don’t come tossing a dead raccoon on my lunch plate when you meet me. I’m merely stating an opinion, and everyone can research and decide for themselves where they want to stand vis-a-vis fur sources.

That said, if ever you needed a reason to rock your fur, this is your time. And whether synthetic or animal, have fun with fur when those dark clouds converge.

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193 Comments
      1. Not bad but; I know for a certainty my bias is from the recent postings. Goat night, Fendi, and that Dar mojo. Maggie pens it straight. Still not every piece is for everyone . Pen on Maggie.
        #ati do guys rock fur! God Forbid!

    1. I bet you are exactly the same people who said these exact words when Biko took over Man Talk from Oyunga Pala, give the lady a chance

      2
  1. Welcome to the fold Margaret! I like to the fact that you stick to what this piece is about. Fashion. Good stuff!

  2. Nice read although I completely can’t relate. Also, what happened to Joe Black? Last we heard, he got himself at insider I think.

  3. It’s a start never the less…..Am an animal lover and i wish to rid my head of the tale that animals get skinned alive to “preserve” fur quality. All the same I have not done my research let me do that first. 😉

  4. Mr. Zulu, I like your concept of incorporating different styles and genres of writing into your blog. Its dynamic and refreshing. That being said, Lady Margaret good job on the writing.

  5. First, you are much welcome. I personally love fashion and like the way you express yourself. I definitely would like to get more of it from you. Nice read

  6. You write well Margaret:) That accompanying image of the heel – I wouldn’t wear that! I’d end up gully creeping all over town. And yes, skinning animals for fur is not nice

        1. Totally agree with you. Ever since the introduction of that Chero chic, the sanctity of this blog has been desecrated. For me, Biko is a writing god. Every word he writes is pure and sacred. His words have a magnetic allure. These guest posts are polluting the archives of this blog.He should have a separate blog for his proteges. Alternatively, he should put a #GuestPost alert so that we don’t bother opening the links. It is good that he is grooming new writers but they should have their own blogs. All he needs to do is post links to their articles on his social media pages.

          1. Lol if you knew there was a blog for protégés, you’d never head there and his students need their money’s worth

  7. Great Debut, Maggie!! Sounds like a fashion Column I would read. It has personality and warmth, not just chit chat about clothes.
    Talking about Fashion, without really talking about it. Biko’s way of writing.
    Keep this up, and we’ll keep coming back.

  8. Hmm. I don’t know, trying to connect the dots here, Hanufi, Nduta and Margaret (Nancys is different) but the style is Bikoish… are they graduates of the WMC?

  9. I have a chinchilla for a pet. Very cute, the softest fur you will ever touch . It usually loses it’s fur when it’s stressed or in danger. So women only are allowed to kill it. They first sing a lullaby then when it’s relaxed, they snap it’s neck, to preserve the quality of the fur. They have also been hunted to extinction because of their fur. In short, fur is not a renewable resource.

  10. I think it is unfair to criticize on the basis that it aint Biko writing. He is doing a good job of incorporating and nurturing other writers. Sometimes, some people will not identify with the guests up there but you cannot criticize on the basis that it is not Biko. The writing is good and that is also worth noting. Let us be accommodative.

    1. Agreed. Biko like any other guru in their field has a responsibility to nurture a protege that will take the mantle and be even better. The guest writers are on a good learning curve

  11. An OK read, a good start. However, I feel you need to develop your own voice, your own writing style, something uniquely Margaret. This sounds like a copy of Biko.

  12. I like it. For those hating, why not write something of your own before you speak up. As I read I kept thinking to myself…..now there’s a lady I’d like to meet.

  13. There’s just so much one can say about fur…this has gone above and beyond the call-of-duty. Also, I could taste the effort. Still, upwards and onwards…yay.

  14. Started off nicely Biko, She too started off nicely….then somewhere she just lost me and didnt recover me…i didnt feel the vibe, the desire to read off, to form an oo when the story came to a close….nah!

  15. I have noticed from the comments here that our gentlemen in the gang are averse to change.hehe wats up guys,apreciate good writing wen you see it.kudos margrete on the writing.though i cant relate to the fur thing!

  16. Good content but it has not been disseminated in an intriguing manner… Biko should continue taking you through the classes on how to effectively relay information to this audience. Halafu Biko, your intro ndio imeharibu kila kitu

  17. Clearly many people do not know the value of a more experienced writer holding the hand of a beginner and helping them find his/her voice and then giving them a platform to voice his/her voice.

    1. This is just a well written piece. Maggie has a way with words. Those words written there were glistening with sheen, I actually felt like putting on a flurry tench coat people are jus mean! Diversity guys, diversity.

    2. Agree with you Magunga. There is nothing as terrifying as when an upcoming artist is being introduced to a new audience and the reception is hostile.
      Take a minute and think of a talented comedian telling his best joke, to a new audience and all people in the are stone-faced and the only person laughing in the hall is the comedian!

  18. Biko I think you should extend the invitation to some of these critics. Let them try topping Margaret if they can or let them just give us one of their best writing.

  19. People here need to uncombust their titties. She is starting, she writes well enough about her stuff so please give her time. I agree with some folks’ reservation about “furry” clothes because of the source of the fur and all but still…

    Please appreciate some fashion wisdom thrown your way and stop behaving like you put on goat hides to work everyday..

  20. Average read…however, i don’t see how fashion writing without visuals will work. Incorporate some images next time and the piece will come to life.
    PS: I totally hurt fur. Give me the creeps. Just my opinion

  21. It started off well thought it was going to be a raunchy one only for it to end up the writer over expressing her love for fur. Why are you wearing fur in Malindi ?

  22. One can understand the reaction of the gang after Biko taking them on a rollercoaster of beans and lethal farts Jana. It is like trying to take hot tea while nursing a head-splitting hangover from a previous night drinking spree.
    I think Biko Zulu has set the bar too high in his kingdom and the gang here is always pregnant with expectations of high-voltage humor, whenever they receive that #Bikozulu alert.

    However,we should never trivialize Biko’s noble mission of giving upcoming writers the much needed platform!
    We must bear in mind that the gang is full of members with different tastes and styles and, apart from the exceptional art oozing directly from the famous Biko forehead, we may never be unanimous on anything else.

    I personally find the writing style of this lady so refined. Maybe the choice of topic and some sense of humor, where least expected, needed to be worked into the story. I think,given a chance, she can be terrific. I am no fashionista but I am sure fashion enthusiasts were thrilled by the piece. However, I also feel the end was premature, but that can be worked on too.
    Don’t be too hard on her for Chirisake.
    welcome to the gang, but now you know. These guys here have huge appetites.

    1. Couldn’t have said it better myself…it wasn’t Biko writing guys…give her a chance..thought she wrote well(had elements of Biko yes but don’t we all try to emulate the best?)

      1. Plus she is writing about fur..she wrote well…not my thing though personally prefer it on the original owners.but nevertheless she took fashion writing to a new level..Biko’s level..it just needs finetuning

    2. Great and balanced opinions. The world needs another Biko when in many many years to come the real Biko hangs the pen. This is how they are nurtured, or so i think.

  23. An article heavy with clichés expressed without much taste unfortunately. If Biko is going to feature a writer, please let it be one with an original voice and style (pun intended). Could have put the two minutes spent here to better use.

  24. Margaret is brilliant.She’s used words to give us a picture
    which is more than I can say for a good number of fashion bloggers.
    Great job,we look forward to more.

    1. Haha! I see what you did there..Good one! She did do a good jobthough.Fashion is not one of those topics where words just fall on the paper!Keep going!

  25. The problem is that the first paragraph was biko being biko, which then sets the tone for the entire post. By the time you are reading Margaret’s first words, the bar is already so incredibly high that it would take a real word smith and humorist to even get close to it. She is a good writer, but the fact that the gang is measuring her prowess using biko’s writing as a yard stick makes her writing seem below average at best.
    To you Margaret I say, keep on keeping on.

    P.S Biko, there was a book that you were to write this year. You said something about the time being right. Not to rush you or anything but tick tock…

  26. For those who don’t get her, well sorry, this article was clearly not for you. Perhaps you don’t really care much on how you look and how you present yourselves because what you wear speaks volumes. GOOD JOB Margaret!

  27. … if I were to speak about fashion, I’d probably make the confession of a shopaholic. I’d talk about that sky blue dress that oozes with elegance. The low neck cotton that neatly flows on my well toned body… Or that one shoulder red dress that is enticingly packed with style. …with a silk-soft silver ribbon at the frontier, the dress is bond to be a keeper, as the front slit part ways from a little above the knees down to the floor.
    I’d probably talk about that warm fuzzy feeling you get when you slide your feet in a new pair of HEEL. Like butter against fire … “ah…” The euphoria! Almost sinful. Oh, how a matching pair of heels bolster the confidence in our style! It enamors the strides in our steps as we walk into a room…
    *sigh… The beautiful enigma that stirs within at the mention of shoes, clothes and accesories…

    Kumbe you too notice the elegance of a guy wearing an impressively tight suit?! Sigh… This is a match made in heaven 🙂 🙂 That’s a job well done Maggie.

  28. A good start, the gang should be alive to the fact that keeping up with Biko standards ain’t no walk in the park!

  29. ‘He had on a black fitting leather jacket zipped up to the chin, a pair of dark blue jeans and white loafers. He too, had his hands in his coat pockets, pulling the jacket at the waist and accentuating his pert, rounded behind. He has a great ass… sinfully sexy! Men shouldn’t have such great asses, it’s intimidating. The rain took on a fresh intensity, making all communication strained. He edged closer and said “I like the fur!” after which I leaned in and quipped, “I like the leather!” in the same playful tone he had used. He laughed, throwing back his pointy-haired head. And just like that, the ice had been broken.’.

    I did not read a lot of the article, but i really really liked this part.That was my favourite part of the article… Maggie, the gang make some valid sentiments, it felt a but boring, but but i liked the ending and i liked this particular part… I have a thing for sinful sexy asses.

  30. Yeah you lost me when you decided to use Taraji P Henson in empire as your fashion icon … I see her and I see tack tack and more tack. I have nothing against fur but when she puts on that painfully hideous fur…thing, my insides just curdle. But that’s just me…

  31. Biko what you are doing is good.However maggie there is
    something missing.You do realize in this blog people
    are used to Bikos writting which is remarkable.If
    you are really into fashion start a blog and use
    illustrations .Let us see the fur in pics.You can be
    the model for your Blog.Its a good start.

  32. Welcome Margaret. This one was a bit off for me.But then again its the first time so second will be better,right? Strangely this is my first comment here.

  33. Exploring a topic on fashion and bringing it to life the way Maggie has done is quote a task. I may not have liked the piece much but that is only because I am an animal Rights activist

  34. It’s a good shot but I find Margaret too opinionated, and not in the way where you can disagree with what she says and still enjoy her writing. I don’t in fact find it a light read but maybe that’s because I’m neither interested in fashion nor do I agree with the use of real fur. She needs a little more refinement. That said, I will not be reading any fashion pieces. I was really just more interested in the stories we could tell with our eyes closed Biko.

  35. You guys,stop the negative sentiments.Writing is not easy and Margaret did just well,you should encourage her.Instead of bitching could you kindly pleas ego write just three paragraphs that is comprehensible and coherent.nkt!!

  36. I’m a fashion stylist and margaret did an incredible Job. For true fashion lovers/addicts you don’t need visuals, the piece does it, you get the idea. I had an image of all looks she mentioned in my mind..they were chic and crisp. I can’t wait for more posts! Thank you Biko for introducing her. Because clothes are Life!

  37. I dont know what some of us have been reading, but in my opinion, Maggy rocks! Totaly love how she has her way with words. I endorse this piece.

  38. You are headed on the right path. Enjoyed the read, do some more on fashion and pepper it with a lot of advise, especially for my brothers from Nairobi with rolled up trousers in the sea during dec holidays.

  39. wow! A superb piece of writing….Margaret ur big on this. The grammar, the voc, the intro they are on point! Keep it up girl

  40. I don’t like not liking someone’s first effort at something.
    Fashion is a great topic e.g. devil wears Prada. Unfortunately this one did not pull me in.

  41. Great Job Maggie. Great writing. You are not Biko. Biko isn’t you. And every oak tree was once a nut. You will get there – eventually. Keep writing.

    Fur – no fun. Animal rights violations and all – but I do respect that that’s your opinion. No racoon from me – dead or otherwise

  42. Totally love the idea of a fashion post every week. I need to get me some fashion sense. I will look at fur differently next time I come across it. However, I will appreciate a lot of pictures. Lots and lots of pictures. It will enhance the post and give us ideas on how to wear what.

    Also, I wish Margaret would find her own voice as a writer. She comes across as trying to sound like Biko.

    Looking forward to more of your posts Margaret.

  43. I could visualize the coat, the umbrella, the skirt, the entire look. Even the guy’s outfit. I’m one of those girls who waits for the rainy/cold season so that I can dress up. Buuut… you started losing me when you focused on the fur. I feel like it should have been a separate story/article. Maybe find a way to tell a story and also weave into (and out of) it your passion for fashion. I saw a clear demarcation instead of a woven patterned item. Am I making sense? Keep writing. Good job.

  44. What do you think someone who’s not “high” on Biko’s works would say about Margaret’s piece? “Brilliant”. I agree with Gilbert and more so with Magunga. The bar that Biko has set is so high not only for beginners like the truly talented Margaret but other godfathers of writing. 
    I take a book to read and it weighs heavy on me and I find myself digging on this site for old posts. 
    If you can’t see the creativity in her piece, then am sorry, your not just creative. And yes, it’s Biko’s fault for being so damned good.‎

  45. but maggie zombo is zombo where i come from it is a puzzle how they vyombo came about,by the way your fur is a good chombo for warmth

  46. When you read something and it reminds you of something else it’s because it lacks originality. .. this piece felt like that for me, like a biko wannabe… she has a good thing going on but needs to find her own sound. ..

  47. I absolutely love her writing. I would understand why others wouldn’t relate to her writing as I believe it’s a fashion lovers thing! It reminds me of the narrator of the ‘Sex & the City’ show – a bit of humour, fashion & well crafted words in one. Great piece!

  48. Hi. Well, I’m not a fashion enthusiast and I generally don’t comment on blog posts but I think I shall comment on this one.

    Maggie is a good writer. She can weave (get it? Weave…) a story into existence. Turns out all she needed to do was tell me she sleeps in the nude to keep me interested and make me follow the story. However, she lost me in the Chase Bank hallway. I don’t know what we were doing in there at all.

    Still, I think Maggie will do great. One small suggestion though, if you are venturing into this fashion genre, wouldn’t it be prudent to include a couple of pictures? I mean, I don’t know this for a fact but, some of us (or maybe it’s just me) can’t visualize this stuff.

    I mean:
    What is fur?
    “I wanna know what fur is,
    I want you to show me..” – Mariah Carey.

  49. Did not finish reading the post.However after reading the comments, i shall reserve my critique. I gravitate towards those willing to give Biko’s “watus” a platform….just wont read anything that does not get my attention in the first 90 seconds.
    Signed….DH Captain.

  50. Fan for years, first time commenting… I had to.
    Gang, give Margaret a chance… we all agree she ain’t Biko (no one is). Let her find her voice, may take a few more articles but she might surprise you… new talents new perspectives.

  51. Sigh. I have half a mind to give her a chance but at the same time I’m tired of reading articles by people who are not Biko when I intentionally subscribed to Biko cos he writes in a particular way. Grrr. Woi mpaka Im thinking of unsubscribing. I never thought the day would come. Sigh. It’s ok to uplift young writers but now the posts are becoming more by foreigners than the man himself so.. Dilemma. Let me sleep on it. Hehe.

    1. Feeling you Esther. We subscribed to the stories that Biko tells with closed eyes. Reading posts by other people feels like an offside goal.

    2. My sentiments exactly! I look forward to reading Biko which is, as you say, why I subscribed. Some of the newbies are good but I think Biko should have a separate page for them or do a heavy-handed edit of their work. As much as we are expected to go with the flow of n’importe quel newbie, Biko also has a responsibility to the readers who wake up with a smile on their face in anticipation of a new article from him.

  52. Petite and short piece as her pencil skirt.
    Margaret was only testing the waters,I think if we give her time, she will come guns blazing fashion-lines-wise.
    Salute Biko and Maggie.

  53. We have to appreciate that Biko is a gentleman and he clearly is not starved of attention that is why he is willing to give other people a chance on his platform. He fully understands the adage that “If you want to go fast, go alone. if you want to go far, go together”

    Ps. For those criticizing (not critiquing)…..please go on, be our guest, float your piece here and let us see/read what you are made of…

  54. I love the read more compared to Hanafi technology one. Though generally they all sound more of bikos expressive words. Anyway, go people! Way to go!!

  55. I love Biko’s articles but I like the fact that he’s supporting new talent and sharing his platform-where else would she get such an honest gang to critique her writing? Both the negative and positive feedback will only help to make her writing better so keep them coming…keep it up Margaret.

  56. I know Margaret that you are going to read these comments and break and maybe for a moment, the desire to write will die.
    Listen girl, the fact that people are hating it’s another way of saying we so willing to accommodate and follow you if only you bring something better on the table.
    As I read through your article, for a while you lost me but I refused to remain lost. I love your writing style, words and the fact that you could nail an article this long….. Yip yip!!

    Write another, I will read. Lose me as many times as you can coz one day I will be frowning that I haven’t received your article on my mail.

  57. I was into the fashion, then into the romance… then the fashion but not so much. *Pulls chair* Ehe about the guy in the leather jacket? Karibu Margaret.

  58. This one felt like a young Biko. Sometimes Id swear its still Biko writing in different personalities and his Maggie personality should be scrapped off. .. 50 shades of Biko peeps . wake up! Can we please get what we subscribed to coz i dont feel the newbies…

  59. A Pro was once an Amateur.
    Shes’s a beginner trying to learn the tricks, we need to give room for growth and construstive criticism if we have to. Highlight mistakes, thats the only way we’ll nurture her to grow. Do people know the night oil you burn and the sacrifices to compose such a post? Margaret,these are stones being thrown at you, use them positively and build a foundation. Good job!

  60. Margaret, I like your style, writing style that is. Keet it up! And don’t ignore the concerns many have had to raise about fashion write ups being ‘souped’ up with photo illustrations’ . Though I am not into fashion and can’t afford to offer any reasonable advice, I think they do have a point.

    www.lusekacafe.com

  61. Anyone who can hold my attention while writing about fashion should be certified dope. Bikominions should give this Maggie a chance. She has great prose and I was actively imagining her doing the walk in the rain. All the same the crowd here is expanding and Biko has done great to cater to all tastes

  62. Am I the only one that noticed the game of thrones references in the first para? For the night is dark and full of terrors? El Nino is coming?

  63. I think the fact that Biko is mentoring young writers deserves a thumb up!! Keep it up Biko!

    As for Margaret keep it up. You have got the talent. Nurture it. Looking forward to see you grow. And yes..not all comments will be positive make some lemonade out of them!

  64. maggie i think its the fur that got people into a frenzy,like the gang is full of vegetarians no??
    that said, i want you back coz fashion is our everyday whether stunning or ordinary.

  65. My additional two cents on those who would have liked Maggie to add photos/visuals: i think it would take away from the writing. Part of what excites me about reading a creative piece is to be able to visualize what the writer describes without the need for a photo/picture.. A photo would actually make the piece boring, IMHO.

  66. Its not everyday you run through a Biko post and all along praying you are on the last paragraph. The mentorship function is all good and selfless and ‘Churchill Ndabukish’ but it does water down the posts. It is heartbreaking after having waited a whole week for one. A good idea would be to set up a separate blog for the newbies.

  67. Don’t I just love this gang for their mature and honest opinions. Read Margaret’s piece, and being used to Biko’s rather high standards, I was like mmmmmh…. not bad at all. Go, Go, Margaret, all the great writers started from somewhere.

  68. Opinions are like money. When you think you have enough, there’s always somone who has more (except if you are Bill Gates or a Don in the Meddelín Cartel ofcourse hehe) Great start Maggie. Half the people in the comment
    can’t write as good as you do

  69. I’m late on commenting as usual but guys! Why be so harsh?? I know how difficult it is to share art. Imagine what this excellent but new writer must have felt reading our insensitive (and probably unschooled) opinions. Well done Biko; for the opportunities you help create. Congratulations Maggy; looking forward to more.

  70. Hi Maggie, keep it up.
    Margaret didn’t fail all she did is that she met the wrong audience; The Gang. The moment she introduces the ‘he’ that was gang staff then she ignores him and goes back to fashion and thats how she loses ‘The Gang’.
    Maggie, please do your stuff. Write about shoes, high heels (are thesep shoes too?) shirts, skirts (especially mini), socks, stockings and WEAVES.
    WE WILL READ

  71. Everyone needs a mentor in whichever field you pursue and Biko is doing a great job with these new writers, hopefully they shall evolve into even better writers with their own unique voice.So lets cut them some slack and give constructive critism. Why are people asking for visuals, the beauty ofreading is you get to create the image in your head. Keep writing Margaret.

  72. Maggie, the juxtaposition between your encounter with the man vis-a-vis the crux of this post is laboured. Subsequently, the prose has a natural aura to it. Keep at it.

  73. Some images would do the trick Maggie…..let guys who pick just anything from the wardrobe yap…them with no respect for fashion..

  74. When you read Hanafi as much as he has been mentored by Biko u still feel his authenticity with Margaret her writing is great keep it up but she sounds like Biko no wonder she lost it halfway through the story. I like fashion i want to read more from you

  75. They say ‘comparisons are odious’ and that’s what’s happening with part of the gang. Understand, it’s hard changing the ‘Biko’ prescription.
    Margaret, I say keep on keeping on, define your style, refine it and make your fashion statement (s). Away with the haters but do take the valuable feedback.
    All the best!

  76. Honestly I did not finish reading this.yes she writes well(the bits I read)BT there r like “17”fashion blogs blogs etc out there.do we need another one?

  77. Fantastic writing Margaret! You have a way with words and your love of fashion comes through beautifully. Looking forward to your next piece!

  78. Biko…start charging for your articles and we see how many haters remain on board. Biko come, Biko go, then??? Give others a chance to blossom. Always remember Vaseline hair tonic is the only stuff that ever started at the top!

  79. Quaint. She makes wearing fur sound so cool. Cautious writing with a dash of rectitude. Can’t wait for Maggie’s sequel.

  80. Thanks for the caveat at the end of the piece! I was just about to go all PETA and ASPCA on you. We are all entitled to our own opinions. Very interesting. Thumbs up!

  81. Well done! A real fashion column for this consumer base. Love that you were not afraid of going anywhere with the piece. Had a real feeling to it. Look fwd to the next one.

  82. You rather give constructive critisism rather than being outright harsh…we all begin from somewhere and this is a really good start…i like the fact that i can actually visualize the story.keep up Margaret!

  83. “the skies are dark and full of terror”… Dreaded Game of Thrones winter… I can tell Margaret likes GoT. I am a fanatic!!!

  84. My thoughts exactly,and moreso the fur in Malindi.The place becomes even more warmer or is it hotter when it pours.

  85. I think she sounds like Zulu – if he were female. Kudos for not shying away from controversy. That being said, watch out for the line between controversy and trolling, it’s a fine one.

  86. As the world moves away from fur (and the rich that still wear it try to hide the fact), our middle class celebrate wearing fur. My goodness what happened to us Africans? (the curse of colonialism I suppose). We get a little money and we want to be ‘fashionable’ despite the ethical issues surrounding said fashion. I give up…

  87. Maggie. excellent read, ignore the comparison to Biko as a substitute teacher would when filling in for the actual teachers class and keep writing to define the clearest way to communicating that amazing talent. Note to Shaka..the introductions are red flags to bulls…lol

  88. These are the most mean comments I have read of all time. There is something called diversity. There are different ways in which different writers write…Maggie has a great piece right there. Biko kudos for letting Maggie do a guest post with you…Creativity is seen in different perspectives. So guys, I think we need to appreciate the fact that Maggie did her best….Keep writing.

    www.kithylouise.com