I’m no travel expert on paper, but with over thirty trips (and counting) to Italy for both work and leisure, I can honestly say I’ve done it all (well, almost all) on the beaten track so it’s no wonder why friends and family seek my advice on where to stay, how to get around, where to eat and what to do. To answer all these questions, I’ve compiled a concise guide based on my own experiences in bella Italia so that you can fly off to live la dolce vita with confidence. 

The day before the official nationwide lockdown began, a pair of simple leather sandals were delivered to my door. I was relieved that they fit perfectly, but my toes were way too exposed and since this classic pair just didn't suit me, I either had to schedule the return as soon as possible or give them away to someone whose feet looked a lot prettier in them. Then I had a lightbulb moment: modifying these sandals with handmade flowers to hide my toes would be a challenging and creative DIY project. The final is result is dramatic and quite eccentric - I must admit - and the edges could have been cleaner, but would I actually wear them? Hell, YES!!! 

Generally, I'm super impressed with the way my jacket turned out. It's truly the only one of its kind out there! The theme that I intended is so delicately expressed on the front, but when I turn around, it ought to inspire a "WOW!!!" The most rewarding part? By spending just a few hours sprucing up this classic biker, I know for certain that I'll get much more use out of it for years to come, and that's what I call "making fast fashion slow" in practice.

Having returned from the beautiful island of Bali several week ago, I can say with complete honesty that I didn't shop much, but the items I did purchase are top-quality classic pieces that ought to withstand faddy fast-fashion trends. My prized purchase? A gorgeous silk sarong by Quarzia, which goes from 'over swimsuit' modesty scarf in western mindsets to a designer one-piece wonder that can transform in various innovative ways, to be repeated countless times as day wear.

Donate your preloved dress or sponsor a pre-owned dress from our collection of occasion wear. Last year, we made several generous donations of dresses to schools where underprivileged girls risked missing their farewell dinner simply because they had nothing glamorous to wear, and couldn’t afford to splurge on nice-to-haves. In fact, we were told about a number of cases in which students resorted to attending their prom while donning their school uniform because it was the smartest clothing they owned!!

Out with the 'old', and in with a 'new' YOU. We're well into the new year, and already the general mood and energy feels different... positive and stable. Numerologically speaking, 2020 (which breaks down into 11:11) is sure to bring with it both union and manifestation of all the hard work and effort that we've invested our energy into. Exciting!!! But to harness this new energy as shiny prospects in our material world, it would make perfect sense to clear out any stagnant remnants that no longer serve us and our personal growth. Have you noticed how certain garments remind you of people, places and times in your life when you either felt great or not your best self at all? 

This October, The Mayyarani online shop turned one and while we're celebrating a growing business with a cause, this milestone was made extra-special with a dedicated feature in finweek magazine on shelves from 10 - 23 October, so get your copy and turn to page 40... So how did a little start-up like ours get such valuable exposure?   

Many who know me would agree that I've become "synonymous" with Milan and Italy in general, and therefore, I constantly get requests from friends visiting the city for the first time, asking me for travel advice and suggestions on where to stay, which sites to visit, what to do, and where to eat and shop, and so here's a concise guide based on my personal experiences and preferences in a city where anything goes (even metallic leather and crystals in broad daylight)...

Rarely do I have a compelling enough reason to hop out of bed at 5:30am and prepare myself for a 7:30 appointment. I mean... Who does that?? Oh yes... Students and those dedicated adults who commit themselves to a lifetime of teaching and rising with the birds. I won’t lie... It was painful to tear my limbs from my cozy electric blanket, but on this particular Monday morning, I had ten beautiful reasons to wake up, dress up and show up for the morning assembly...

It’s crazy how heavy my suitcase was; so heavy that even our shuttle driver let out a perplexed but almost-silent “Yoh” as he lifted my luggage into the trailer at the back of the 23-seater minibus. I felt compelled to justify: “It’s heavy, neh? Sorry, man... You know us girls, we come to Durban for two days but we pack for five. Eish! The weather; it’s confusing!” He laughed and I laughed, only it wasn’t so funny on Thursday night when I spent two hours playing dress-up agonising over what to wear to the Vodacom Durban July...

We’re often asked if we hire out dresses, and the answer to that question is ‘Not exactly, but kind of...’ since we do offer a win-win-win alternative solution. Anything is possible, and we’re happy to consider individual rental requests on a case-by-case basis if the owner of the dress gives her permission, but why rent and feel like you have to walk on egg shells, when you can really own it! Here’s the downside of renting out dresses (and our rentals-with-a-twist solution)... 

For disadvantaged matric girls, whose parents cannot afford the luxury of an expensive new dress, the looming matric dance event becomes a source of anxiety, despair and disappointment. While we're unable to permanently uplift their financial status, together, we can be their fairy godmothers who grant these deserving young ladies at least one unforgettable night of fun and excitement - in style...!

Gorgeous South African actress and designer Zetske van Pletzen has added the last of her best-seller garments from her previous collections to our online shop, so rather than allowing these beauties to be forgotten and collect dust in her studio, you can now buy them here at awesome discounted prices. Here are a few must-haves...

Exciting!!! Our invitation to the most anticipated event on our annual social calendar has popped up in our inbox; the Vodacom Durban July 2019, Africa's most prestigious horse-racing event which always takes place on the first Saturday of my birthday month. With two short months to go, I immediately started to...

I'll be fluttering off to a wedding this weekend. It's a night-time affair that kicks off at 5pm - fairly early for a typical big fat Indian wedding, but the challenge is that I'll only have two hours, between a networking luncheon and our arrival at the reception, to glam up. Like any forward-thinking, ten-steps-ahead kinda girl, I need to... 

Mmmm... We've gone from 16 to 60 pre-owned dresses in the space of just 6 months! And the 60th addition is also our 6th wedding gown. Also, have you noticed that to get in touch with The Mayyarani you'd have to tap the number 6 on your phone's keypad 6 times?? Coincidence? We think 'not'! 

Pre-owned, pre-loved, gently-worn, second hand. Whatever term you prefer, just because a piece of clothing was used by someone else a few times or it adorned their body for several hours, it doesn't instantly classify that item as ‘old’ or ‘outdated’, nor does it mean that it’s any worse off than its original purchase state. The fact is that pre-owned clothes can actually be almost as good as new and give you a lot more value for money. Here are a few reasons to buy pre-owned fashion: