One of my favourite things at the beginning of the year is to stock up on new stationery. Notebooks, pens and the like are always my favourite splurge. With bullet journals being all the craze I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect notebook. There are the usual favourites for when it comes to stationery buys but its come to my attention that CNA has also decided to join in on the action.
I’ll be the first to admit that in the past I always thought CNA was the spot moms went for school supplies and didn’t necessarily tie it to stylish stationery for me. But how wrong I was.
Have you seen the new Cyla Gonsolves’ inspired Stationery Line?
If the answer is no, you’re missing out. CNA sponsored the CNA Design Challenge on South African reality TV show, The Intern by David Tlale. Cyla was the winner after creating a high end fashion piece using nothing but stationery. That win led to her getting her own line of gorgeous designed stationery in CNA. Not only are the designs sleek and sexy enough to carry in to a work meeting but they’re also proudly South African AND super affordable. For a set of three notebooks you’re looking at around R80, a pencil back costs R29.99 and a divine notebook, pencil, paper clips and accessories kit will only cost R169.90.
Cyla is 22 years old and says her designs are inspired by her alter ego. She focuses on self-expression and touching on social awareness issues such as feminism. I had the opportunity to chat to Cyla about her design inspiration.
My first question was about the stationery range at CNA. I was curious to find out what her inspiration was:
For the CNA challenge on The Intern we had to be inspired by the arts of paper. We had to make a garment that was 100% made out of paper. I looked at the different techniques of folding paper and how I can manipulate it to become something beautiful. I used the quilling technique to make beautiful shapes of flowers that was inspired by my grandmothers beautiful garden. I wanted to bring back craftsmanship with this challenge.
Those techniques and styles are clearly seen in the range on shelves. I wanted to find out if we’ll be seeing more stationery from Cyla in the future:
I absolutely loved working with CNA on this collaboration and will definitely be bringing out my own fashion stationery, inspired by my collection, soon.
I was curious to find out who Cyla imagined would be using this stationery. Turns out she has a pretty definitive idea of the “perfect user”:
I think this stationary is designer for every woman that loves being creative. From young girls dreaming to become fashion designers to more career driven women that likes to be inspired by everything beautiful around her.
While I’m obsessed with the stationery I was also intrigued by Cyla’s design inspiration. I’m currently learning more about the history of feminism and its role in our society, so I was curious as to how she communicates that through her designs:
I’m extremely passion about making a difference in the fashion industry and would like to inspire other brands to do the same. In my graduate collection I did a feminist range where I tried to send out a message through my clothing. I used the colour platte GREEN,WHITE and VIOLET that stood for Give,Women,Vote. On my coats there were panels of embroidery sending out messages against women abuse (things like no means no, women empowerment and feminist). On my sheet tops I embroided X’s over the bust area to show empowerment and to be part of the feminist movement to ‘burn the bra’. I would like to bring the feminist movement to the supply chain of fashion. I want to create jobs and empower women in my own workplace and set an example to other brands to also be ethical.
Here are some examples from Cyla’s graduate collection
And now is my chance to give back to you. Thanks to the rad CNA I have a hamper of Cyla’s stationery range to give away valued at around R500. All you need to do is comment on this post and tell me what your favourite item in the range is. I’ve shared some pictures throughout this blog post to inspire you.
I’ll chose a winner at the end of the week. Please be sure to fill in the email section on the comment form so I can get hold of you if you win!