SA Fashion Week's opening show was lead by local retailer Woolworths SA which included a line up of inspiring South African Designers: Wanda Lephoto, Thebe Magugu, Rich Mnisi, Mmuso Maxwell and Watermelon Social Club. A capsule collection is in store as from a few days ago and it's as exciting as ever; here's a quick glance as to what's up for grabs:
THEBE MAGUGU describes his pieces as sophisticated and eclectic with an underlying emphasis play on proportions. His masculine shapes are created in feminine fabrics in slim silhouettes with powerful shoulder accents. The superb colour combination evokes confidence and dominance for the wearer. Thebe says his pieces are an ode to the prominent female figures in his life.
RICH MNISI
The juxtaposition of feminine and masculine pieces created in vibrant colours and patterns focuses on practicality where the wearer feels modern, beautiful and confident. Rich continues to draw inspiration from his artistic muse Nwa-Mulamula. ' She is a symbolic representation of African mothers in their glory that has been lost in time, undocumented and buried in the depths of our hearts', says Rich Mnisi.
Maxwell Buko and Mmuso Potsane joined forces in 2016 to create their brand MMUSOMAXWELL where their use of bold colour and patterns awarded them international acclaim by being featured in Vogue Italia. Their 2018 collection use of vibrant colour holds appeal with interesting cuts and shapes in melton, cotton poplin and crepes and pays homage to the African heritage. Inspired by Johannesburg fruit and veggie sellers in the heart of Johannesburg and at the city's intersections which holds a distinctive style; the designers call their collection 'off-kilter, toiler and contemporary'.
The WANDA LEPHOTO label, a part of the multidisciplinary creative collective The Sartists, is headed up by two designers, its namesake Wanda Lephoto and Kabelo Kungwane. The two have infused the brand with a strong sense of storytelling derived from their modern observation of traditional culture. Structured strong silhouettes with impeccable tailoring where the story behind the piece is just as important as the garment itself. Past and present is significant in delivering one statement and is prevalent in their t-shirts featuring barber and salon themed artwork created by a local Johannesburg street artist.
THE WATERMELON SOCIAL CLUB was founded in 2016 by Sthembiso Mchunu and Siyabonga Ngcamu and is heavily guided by the streetwear movement. Unisex silhouettes in bold prints for a style that is effortless and timeless. Their collection takes a modern day twist on Zulu culture from their heritage mingled with present day experiences similar to Masikandi, a South African new age music genre where digital accents mixes with Zulu folk music.
ABOUT STYLEBYSA
Woolworths has been at the forefront of local fashion, being the first large retailer to create opportunities for and celebrate South African designers. Their on-going commitment to supporting local design is unmatched as #STYLEBYSA creates a defined focus and positioning for designer collaborations. The initiative also acknowledges the notable strides made by designers in the local fashion industry. Woolworths continues to create a platform for more local stories to be told through fashion and making South African designers and brands more accessible and recognisable to consumers.
Selected items from #STYLEBYSA SS18 will be available online and in select Woolworths stores (Cavendish, Mall of Africa and Sandton) from Wednesday 24 October 2018.
That's it for today!
Cath