02 November 2018 1 Min Read

Happy Birthday to the style icon, Brenda Fassie!

in S Mag by thango ntwasa

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Tomorrow, November 3 is a special day in South African history because it happens to be the birthday of the indomitable MaBrrr. If she had not passed away fourteen years ago, she would have been turning 54 years old.

The bold and fearless MaBrrr disrupted the narrative as much as she wrote it. Watching her celebrity journey was always a joy ride: you never knew what was coming next. The controversies, the gender fluidity, and the rock-star lifestyle inspired generations of fans who still look to her as a legend.

MaBrrr found freedom to express herself as a mother, a woman, and an artist. Whether it’s Zola Budd, Vulindlela, or Weekend Special, everyone has that one song that takes you Higher and Higher.

Then there was the fashion. If it was a trend, Brenda wore it. If it was taboo, she was on it. And if it was demure, she disrupted it. MaBrr could outperform her peers in tight leather or rock up in Sissy Boy jeans and Kangol caps in Hillbrow. Whether in a bright miniskirt or a disco dress paired with her famed braided hairdos, Brenda’s style, like her music and persona, knew no bounds.

She did what she wanted, how she wanted, whenever she wanted. It’s been more than a decade since her passing, and the “Madonna of the Townships” is still inspiring aspiring stars to make bold fashion choices and adopt her revived retro aesthetic. That is the power of Brenda.

So in celebration of her birthday, here is a gallery of some of her best fashion looks:

- Brenda Fassie poses in front of a car, wearing a short green dress and jacket. She pairs the outfit with a chic black beret and white knee-high boots.

- An old picture shows MaBrrr pulling off a cute look in a swim suit and a bow in her multi-coloured braids. The rings and bracelets complete the look, even though no one can practically go for a swim looking this stylish.

- Brenda rocking the short braid look with beads in her hair.

- Brenda Fassie rocks an Indian-inspired outfit on the set of a photo shoot.

- Not everyone can pull off a long sleeved satin dress cinched at the waist with a funky belt. But not everyone is Brenda Fassie and she pulls it off even with a pearl necklace and even white tights! Now that's a style icon.

- Her outfits while performing on stage are always fun, because she was never scared to push the boundaries of fashion.

- Like during this performance when she paired traditional Venda attire with the Zulu traditional hear piece, isicholo.

- You can just see MaBrrr singing her 80s hits in while rocking this permed hairstyle, the very 80's outfit and those shiny kitten heels.

- Brenda Fassie was not only fashion forward, but she was also not afraid to show a little skin. Other singers might shock trying to perform in this ruffled skirt with a thigh slit, but even when paired with an open-back top, Brenda pulls off the outfit with ease.

- Brenda Fassie looks simply stunning in this ball gown. A true queen of fashion. Happy Birthday MaBrrr!

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Happy Birthday to the style icon, Brenda Fassie!

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