We chat with South African based contemporary fashion designer, Rich Mnisi about his unisex fashion line.
You are one of the designers who is able to capture the current mood of pop culture. Your pieces are absolutely current and fresh. How do you keep your ideas so original, What’s your source of inspiration?It's in the way I infuse elements from my childhood memories and what's happening currently. My work is conversation driven - it's a reflection of the conversations I have with friends, myself and my family. It's a constant conversation about where we are the past and the future.
Tell us about your journey of designing unisex clothing? What prompted this? How did it come about?It was really a natural process, I didn't even know I was doing it until I was told. I still don't know when I'm doing it either. I think it just comes in through the conversations I have with people.
What impact do you think it has on a little boy or girl to see clothing as unisex?It broadens their minds. It breaks boundaries.
Is fashion designing what you always thought it would be? How have you found the journey?It's very interesting exploring the local market and then comparing it to the international market. Every day, I discover something new about the industry that I either accept or decide to challenge.
What kind of personality wears your brand, Rich Mnisi?An explorer. A curious mind.
Has all the admiration of your work taken you by surprise?Always. My intentions were for people to understand what I'm doing and explore what it means to them and that's exactly what happens season after season. The reception is beautiful.
On lighter note, what is your down time like? Do you wear your pieces?Yes I do wear some of my clothes, I used to hate it but now it just happens. The clothes are right in front of me.
More images:Rich Mnisi’s latest SS17 lookbook, this collection is entitled “R”. The collection stayed true to his creative aesthetic. Very provocative, individualistic and pushing the modern fashion boundaries.
