Fashioning Modern Africanism

Last night saw the House of Rubicon bring to life an authentic celebration of heritage with the showcasing of their latest collection at South Africa Fashion Week. Commemorating twenty-one years as a style and culture institution in South Africa's fashion landscape, Rubicon’s Spring/Summer 2023 collection marries the eastern and western influences with African elegance, while paying homage to the reimagined Myth of Origin story about the lost kingdom of Mapungubwe.     “With this endearing romantic collection, we designed each of the garments to make the wearer feel emboldened, chic, and in touch with the essence of who she truly is. This is a return to her femininity,” affirmed Hangwani Nengovhela. Hangwani Nengovhela Founder and Creative Director, Hangwani Nengovhela draws inspiration from the landscapes and artifacts recovered at the world heritage site. The kingdom’s origins, passed through oral history, tell a tale of three brothers journeying through the region. One brother w

Last night CRUZ Vintage Black Vodka hosted one of the country’s most prestigious fashion gatherings with the who’s who of the SA fashion and entertainment world in attendance. Officiating the opening of South Africa Fashion Week And what a glitzy affair it was! Kicking off the weeks’ celebrations, guests were treated to an exclusive evening of glitz and glam at newly renovated Levelthree in Sandton, where they enjoyed decadent Cruz cocktails and high fashion - all inspired by New York City and set against the backdrop of Sandton skyline. Red carpet host Chris Jaftha welcomed guests as they arrived while award winning local designer Paledi Segapo presented a New York inspired fashion installation to be remembered. SA Fashion Week showcasing designer Artclub and Friends kitted out the promoters with super cool branded ankle socks and cute tote bags. Hip Hop Artist Gigi Lamayne The star-studded, red carpet, by invite only affair boasted a long list of SA’s well known fashion forward perso

Ecological sustainability, women’s empowerment, inter brand collaboration and proudly local production investment are some of the dynamic developments that mark SA Fashion Week’s 25th Spring/Summer Collections set to kick off on 28 April 2022. Twenty iconic names including Ephraim Molingoana for Ephymol, Amanda Laird Cherry and Palesa Mokubung of Mantsho as well as cult Kasi brand, Loxion Kulca, now designed by Olé Ledimo, will launch their 2022 collections to the media, buyers, selected VIP’s and a limited edition of public tickets through Quicket, alongside exciting new stars including 2021 New Talent winner Artho Eksteen as well as Fikile Zamagcino Sokhulu and Sipho Mbuto who both participated in the Fashion Bridges collaboration with Milan Fashion Week last year. Hosted by SA’s favourite social personality, Maps Maponyane, the 24th New Talent Search will again open the event with a line-up of six of the most promising young designers to watch. This year’s contenders are: • Thando N

Johannesburg - Monday, 14 March 2022 : Part of the fun of fashio n is that it is always evolving. Hence, it is always exciting to see what the fresh perspectives young and upcoming fashion designers bring to the table. Soweto’s Sibu FDB of FDB HUMAN STORE and Sphelele Nozipho Chikowi of Ntozinhle Lifestyle are such examples, two young minds with styles that respectively speak to high fashion for the streets, opposite trying to shift the average perception about beadwork and African design.   A model in a Ntozinhle Lifestyle design. Sibu FDB is known for his unique fashion sense, which does not conform to a specific style or category, complemented by jewelry as his signature item, to complete his artistic individualism.  Sibu FDB of FDB HUMAN STORE, known for his unique fashion sense “Everything is an inspiration. Literally, everything. So, my design inspiration changes all of the time. The audiences at Fashion Without Borders Africa will be exposed to the true essence of my bra

Patrick Joseph is an International bespoke lifestyle and fashion brand based in the UK,  Founded by Kwa-zulu Natal born Fashion Designer - Patrick Mhlanga. This past Sunday afternoon, Patrick announced on an interview with yours truly that he's set to debut in South Africa with a collection of bespoke casual and street wear fashion line. The Patrick Joseph brand, known for its flexibility and agility in catering to both men and women's ready to wear fashion pieces, launched in 2011 after Mhlanga turned his passion for design and tailoring into a bespoke clothing line which later hit various runways including the London fashion week in 2019.  Mhlanga served time in the British Army and studied MSc in Business Management before breaking into fashion. He has become one of the most influential emerging fashion designer's in Great Britain with Patrick Joseph featuring in major fashion magazines including Drapers and Fab magazine UK.                         " I am so proud t

A new proudly South African manufactured sleep and loungewear brand,   HUGIO , has launched today, along with its online store, just in time to celebrate the upcoming Christmas season. The Durban-based fashion brand has launched with its debut Christmas Pyjama collection on sale - aimed at keeping the entire family feeling stylish this holiday season.   The exclusive sleep and loungewear collection cover all the necessary must-haves from baby wear to men’s and ladies pyjamas too, and is set to become a holiday favourite, while celebrating Christmas with your loved ones.   One of SA’s celebrated actresses and entrepreneurs, Fundi Zwane, has signed on to become one of  HUGIO’ s first ambassadors.   The 36-year-old Port Shepstone-born actress and producer, who currently stars in the SABC1 series  Skeem Saam , says she is “excited to celebrate Christmas in style” this December.   “I love how comfortable and idyllic the collection is. Christmas is an important time for me to spend with my l