Recently, in an Instagram post, my nostalgia overcame me as I was reminded of a tumblr blog that I'd once started when I decided to move to Barcelona, Spain.
It chronicled my travels as a single woman navigating a new country in a new language. Still some of the best months of my life.
A few of the comments reacting to the post included how solo adventures back then seemed so out of reach for many. Of course women have travelled and moved to different parts of the world, alone, for some time, but it's more prolific now. Especially with businesses like Travel Noire and Nomadness Travel Tribe who in total have over 550 000 followers on Instagram.
When I was clocking up classes in Spanish back then, there weren't many black women representing solo travel. Instagram was launched in October 2010 and I began my travels in April 2011.
According to Google, search for solo travel between 2015 and 2017 went up 40%.
READ MORE: Five hacks for owning solo travel in 2018
So where do you go, what time of year and what do you pack?
For me, I love to get lost to discover off-the-beaten-track finds so a pair of walking shoes, I always imagine being invited to a party or going to some evening festivity so something fancy and I like to dress up when I travel so a glam but comfortable wardrobe is a must.
H&M are launching an exclusive travel-inspired range that they think ticks all of the boxes above. The collection is so exclusive that it's being launched March 21, but only in Sandton City, here in SA.
Their Studio Collection is about celebrating the glam explorer and I really think they've designed the kinds of items that would be perfect to pack for your dream escape. Whether it was in the city, beach or pool side or in the bush.
And it's got such an easy cool quotient, probably because it was designed by H&M's in-house design team in collaboration with French stylist, Geraldine Saglio. She's also the fashion editor at large for Vogue Paris, and you know what they say about the French and their style. It's the same kind of hard to copy essence we see with performers here in South Africa like Sho Madjozi, Manthe Ribane and Rharha Nembard.
Take a look at some of her Insta snaps.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Geraldine Saglio (@sagliogeraldine) on
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Geraldine Saglio (@sagliogeraldine) on
View this post on InstagramAbout today @claudiaschiffer ??
A post shared by Geraldine Saglio (@sagliogeraldine) on
See what I mean?
So what's in the collection?
Beautiful animal prints, flowing opaque frocks, great keepsakes that reinvigorate the utility trend, safari-perfect pieces and even sequins.
Here are my top 10 pieces to get your hands on.
Look out for the competition live on our site now.
What's up for grabs?
Five W24 readers will get to attend the collection preview event the day before these pieces reach Joburg shoppers plus you'll get a gift card to shop your favourite pieces too!
Stay tuned.
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