Odwa Zamane is a Johannesburg-based writer & creative consultant – mainly focused on fashion, music, art, film, literature and its impact on local youth culture. Currently he is the founder of FRONT ROW MEDIA, a freelance writer for Bubblegum Club, as well as the curator of The FRM Newsletter.

Having bounced around from several professions within different industries (including investments and fashion) – one can only describe Odwa as a polymath. An honours fashion graduate who is continuously inspired to suck the marrow out of life, we welcome him to The FRM Newsletter to share what he’s been into recently!

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📻👢 The Cutting Room Floor Podcast

Hosted by fashion designer slash fashion media demigod, Recho Omondi, this fashion podcast has single handedly educated and inspired my fashion opinion so much. Words cannot express how knowledgeable Omondi is about the fashion industry and her punchy yet poised personality ensures that this podcast is only a plus on my list. Some of my favorite episodes included guests such as Aurora James of Brother Vellies, Ava Nope of Marc Jacobs, as well as Martine Rose. All episodes are available on Spotify & Patreon.

👨🏾‍🎤🎸 70s/80s punk-glam rock influenced fashion

In my personal opinion – this was one of the most fashion inspired musical eras to ever exist. Ranging from a wide plethora of musical figures such as The Runaways, Joan Jett, Debbie Harry, David Bowie, Mick Jagger and the New York Dolls – the 70s/80s punk regime will always reign supreme within fashion history books, with glam rock being its most heightened maximalist manifestation.

🎧👌🏾 Wired earphones

If you haven’t heard it yet, you get to hear it first here – wired earphones are making a comeback! Categorized as a recent “Gen Z” trend popularized by Vogue senior writer, Liana Satenstein, the #staywired movement is taking our beloved Tiktok generation by storm. I’ve always felt that air pods are somewhat impractical (apologies to my air pods gang) so the resurrection of the wire feels like a necessary generational correction. If you don’t believe me, check out one of the best Instagram pages out right now! @wireditgirls

🍕🏠 NY Slice

This one should be pretty self-explanatory, so if you know you know. I still find myself reminiscing about the best pepperoni pizza I’ve ever tasted – straight from the NY Slice chain in Kloof Street, Cape Town. New York-themed from their music right through to their décor – this pizza spot is certainly a close favourite of mine.

🎥🍿 Kill Your Darlings (2013)

As a writer myself, I found this movie to be insightful into the greater world of literature and the lives of past literary legends who excelled at the profession. Kill Your Darlings is a 2013 American biographical drama film, starring Daniel Radcliffe, directed by John Krokidas, and centred around The Beat Generation – a literary movement of authors whose work explored and influenced post-war American culture and politics. This movement included literary greats such as Allen Ginsberg (played by Daniel Radcliffe), Lucien Carr, William S. Burroughs and Jack Kerouac.

🎵💿 The Strokes – The New Abnormal (2020)

In the world of contemporary rock ’n’ roll – it doesn’t get more iconic than The Strokes. Led by enigmatic front man Julian Casablancas, this Rick Rubin produced album broke a decade sabbatical from the New York poster boys and ensured that the band managed to snap up the award of Best Rock Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. Although it is dressed in different melodies and disguised in the bands iconic guitar riffs, the album is sad, melancholic and nostalgic as fuck – and that’s why I love it. Casablancas is one of my favourite songwriters of this generation – and here’s a music video remake of their song “Why Are Sundays So Depressing” which illustrates why.

🎨🖼 Henri Matisse – La Danse (The Dance) (1910)

La Danse, also known as The Dance is a 1910 painting by legendary French artist Henri Matisse. Originally a draughtsman, Matisse is widely known within the contemporary art space for his unique talent for usage of colour and drawing – one which is clearly evident in La Danse. Not only does Matisse have a place in the modern art hall of fame but interestingly enough, he was also a Capricorn.

🎵💿 The Smiths – Complete (2011)

The sounds created by the 80’s duo of Steven Morrisey and Johnny Marr still echo in the music industry of today. Complete is an extensive compilation of all of the greatest The Smiths records – including Meat Is Murder, The Queen Is Dead and Strangeways, Here We Come. From their album covers, graphics, music & image – everything about The Smiths was iconic, everything.

📺🍿 Sex & The City (1998 – 2004)

If you haven’t seen the original Sex & The City series (1998 – 2004), starring the iconic Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw, then I strongly recommend that you do! This series follows the lives of four single friends navigating the treacherous dating scene of New York – a must see for any singles in the city ;) Apparently the new SATC series reboot is missing Samantha Jones’ character so I’m already not too sure about how good that will be :/

The FRM Newsletter

#1: Odwa Zamane (FRM)