GQ's Number Two. Our Number One.

So this is a bit different to what I’m usually posting on my blog, but I think with the South African GQ Best Dressed Man Awards last Monday it is only appropriate to do a focus on an amazing person with impeccable style.

Masego Maps Maponyane was one of the first people I met when I moved to South Africa from Germany and instantly I knew there was something different about him. He wandered without a care in the world away from the status quo and brought something new and exciting to the table.

 Maps' photograph in the November issue. His personality is beaming off the page. GQ really caught his true self in this shoot.

His wardrobe embodies himself. He is not trying to fool anybody like a lot of celebrities because he knows who he is.

He believes also in what I stand for, which is being yourself in the world of fashion. True style is not something you can simply buy and pull out of a catalogue. The latest trends are purely a guide and this is often forgotten. Buyers at Fashion Weeks, fashions forecasters and the Anna Wintours of the world tell us what to wear and how to wear it, but that is not true style.

True style is wearing what you are comfortable in, what looks fabulous on your body and it matches your personality. Fashion is not imitating the fashion spreads and celebrities. YOU are YOUR own inspiration*

And Maps believes in exactly this notion. He epitomises genuine style. And if you don’t believe me, why not ask the GQ 2^nd Best Dressed Man of the Year himself.

Maps came second to Oscar Pistorius. A shame, yes. And yet, such an achievement at the age of 21. His ambition cannot be tamed. Last year Maps attended the exact same awards but simply as an unknown newcomer to the fashion scene. But little did GQ know, he was the dark horse to look out for, thank goodness they woke up and smelt the Daisies.

Maps and Oscar posing together on the night. Maps is wearing his notorious Tiger of Sweden blazer with the perfect touch, his Paul Smith pocket square. You're going to see for yourself the love Maps has for Paul Smith. Classy.

Already just hours after the announcement for second best dressed man of 2011, the interest in the down-to-earth model came rolling in, business cards were thrust into his hands and the phone began to ring off the hook.

 Maps with his beautiful date, his mother, Meisie Maponyane.

I have seen this man shopping in London myself. He is like an unstoppable natural force. You’d be nuts to stand between him and the door to Zara. With his trademark items like his Paul Smith formal shoes, his Zara straightleg trousers in tan and navy, his array of beautiful, sharp blazers like his Tiger of Sweden one, his nerdy shirts with bow/skinny ties and his V-neck tops in every colour of the rainbow from Topman, Maps always dresses right for the occasion. And let us not forget the mark of his style and who he is, the Paul Smith thick rimmed glasses. Nerdy swagg indeed.

I love what he wore in his shoot for the magazine shoot. He didn’t dress to impress, he dressed to be Maps. He actually wore most of the above trademark garments mentioned.

Maps is on the path of fashion greatness. I saw it from the beginning, it just took the media and the fashion world a little longer to work that out. They must feel silly now. He is so ambitious and driven, qualities that are getting him so far. Nothing can stand in his way.

  

You can’t put Mapsy in the corner. This is the Time Of His Life.

 Two years ago Maps and I going to my dance. Like I said, he was always stylish. Even when he was supposed to be going through his awkward stage. What awkward stage?

Look out for Maps in the future because I'm telling you now, this won't be last you see of this up and coming star.

Watch behind the scenes footage on www.gq.co.za  

 And buy the November edition of the South African GQ and read more on Maps, Oscar and the other 8 Best Dressed Men for yourself.

Also if you like some of his clothes, make sure to check out:

Paul Smith's online store http://www.paulsmith.co.uk/

Tiger Of Sweden's website http://tigerofsweden.com/

Zara's collections http://www.zara.com/

The photographs were taken from www.gq.co.za site, my personal albums and Maps' phone.