ELLE editor, Jackie Burger, says of this year's finalists: 'They certainly have a strong point of view, a good visual narrative, innovative lateral interpretation of the brief as well as an understanding of creating a signature blog.'
BlackBerry South Africa Brand Planning Manager, Marina Hartmann, says: 'The entries are as diverse as the country we live in. They all captured the brief in their own distinct style and created memorable content. For our finalists, keep inspiring and stay true to who you are and stay focused on the brief. Let your surroundings inspire you!'
ELLE and BlackBerry present the top seven Style Reporter finalists:
Student, Cape Town
Blog: Neck Of The Woods: http://neckofthewoodss.tumblr.com/
@xx_niquita_zz
'I am beyond ecstatic to have been selected as a 2013 finalist. I feel that all the work I have been involved in until now has been in preparation for this competition. Street style is self-expression. It's personal, it's fun, it's reinvention and that's what I try to convey in my work. I love finding beauty in the mundane. I want my images to be the ones people will always remember, the ones that provoke thought, tell a story and stays with you.'
Freelance photographer, Johannesburg
Blog: http://smadzadza.tumblr.com/
@_bubunas
'As a finalist for the second year in a row I feel a sense of accomplishment to be part of this journey again. As a photography graduate, it's my passion to capture what is genuine and what is happening on the streets of SA. I use an analogue camera, which brings a different perspective to fashion blogging. I want people to be able to connect with and relate to my work - not just now but also in the future. I love to shoot the unexpected - a great shot is when all the right elements come together in one moment: the textures, the background, the lighting and the personality.'
Film and television graduate, Cape Town
Blog: http://streetarazzi.tumblr.com/
@lwanie
'I aim to capture silent stylish moments which pass by every day without being noticed or documented, and I hope people see this and walk away wanting more. For me, street style is about observing. I want to inform people through my visual reporting. This competition is a journey to grow and learn and be mentored - winning is a bonus.'
Fine art student, Cape Town
Blog: http://wildandoverdressed.tumblr.com/
@kirst`_mackrill
'The fashion industry is where I have always dreamed of being and to be given the opportunity by ELLE and BlackBerry is completely overwhelming. I am extremely excited to be able to learn and grow as a fashion blogger and enthusiast. I want to be able to capture the way fashion inspires me, and communicate this to others. I want to bring a fresh take on this year's competition.'
Student, Johannesburg
Blog: http://colourfulpain.tumblr.com/
@city_vibez
'This is the first time I've entered a competition like this, and as a photography student I knew this was one I couldn't miss out on. I hope people will see the beauty in my work, and that for me it is colour, personality and facial expressions that are what tell a story. Beautiful sunlight and colours make me stop and snap - I want to capture my love of detail and showcase the importance of a considered shot and story.'
Journalism student, Johannesburg
Blog: http://rebellehouse.tumblr.com/
@rebelleRogue
'Street style, to me, is a form of expression. I look forward to capturing this in my Style Reporter journey. I want to capture what is relevant, the unique, the different and the significant. It's something that can't be imitated. I want to capture how style resonates with the individual, and what fashion says about them beyond the clothes. I look forward to capturing a reflection of my time in this competition.'
Photography student, Durban
Blog: http://theoverlocker.tumblr.com/
@_thanda
'This competition demands not only someone who has an eye for fashion and an understanding of how different art forms influence fashion, but also someone who is online-savvy and hot off the mark. My passion is to tell stories through fashion and provide a strong and unique visual voice, one that references bygone eras but in an African and modern context. Visual imagery that talks to the viewer makes me stop and snap, instead of imagery that is "perfect" or "planned".'
The 2013 ELLE Style Reporter finalists will receive two more challenges before the final event in December 2013. In true Style Reporter fashion, they will be given tight deadlines, briefed in the context of local fashion and challenged to capture style by drawing on their influence and referencing art forms of design, architecture, art, film, music and photography and asked to convey how these art forms shape local fashion today.
Chief judge and photographer Ed Suter says: 'What impressed me most about the finalists' entries was how they brought their own identities and surroundings to their work. All of the finalists' entries have character, humour and unusual points of view. I am really looking forward to seeing how each of them respond to the challenges we set for them, and hope that none of them lose that special individualism that made an impression on me and my fellow judges."
The ELLE Style Reporter search aims to help grow the next generation of fashion writers in SA. Follow the super seven finalists and the ELLE Style Reporter journey on www.elle.co.za. Follow #StyleReporter2013 on Twitter with @ellemagazinesa and @BlackBerry_ZA.
