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One of the most outstanding fashion shows that #Trending has seen this year was by the brilliant Woolworths Style by SA designers Rich Mnisi, Thebe Magugu, printmaker and sustainable textile designer Sindiso Khumalo, Wanda Lephoto, and Young and Lazy. The show set a solid tone on the first day of the 21-year-old South African Fashion Week (SAFW).
Lephoto’s white T-shirt with ANC colours on the front was a spectacular hit on the catwalk.
The designer used earthy colours with boldly structured garments that made it anything but ordinary.
On day two, resort wear designers Lalesso, BeachCult, Judith Atelier and Helon Melon delivered designs that inspired visions of glamorous destinations, party nights and endless summers.
BeachCult introduced fresh, new pieces with prints and elegant wardrobe staples that encapsulate the anticipation of an out-of-this-world trendy summer.
Below are some of #Trending’s most loved SAFW runway garments:
Thebe Magugu
Kimberley-raised Magugu’s show was strong, with a magnificent use of gender-fluid clothes that would suit both men and women. Magugu’s collections have consistently reimagined masculinity and femininity for everyday wear. His showstopper was an awe-inspiring candyfloss pink ostrich trench coat with a cotton shirtdress and a duchess satin envelope clutch.
RK Menswear
The relationship between fashion and the man on the street has always been a curious one, but this time around, menswear designer RK Menswear delved into gowns that are reminiscent of the sky. The designs are equally as bold as they are subtly charming. The exquisite creations had reaping lines of beads at the top and cloud-like layers of flowing soft tulle skirts.
Rich Mnisi
It was Rich Mnisi’s collection that really stole the opening night of SAFW. Inspired by his mother, his series was all about retro Afro-glamour, with tailored dresses paired with elbow-length silk gloves and heels. Most delightful were his gender-bending male models – one was dressed in a zebra print minidress, a maximalist black wide-brimmed hat and gold hoop earrings.
Mantsho by Palesa Mokubung
This collection brought the essence of bright African colours and fabrics, and reimagined them in a playful and magical way. “I thought about countries I have travelled to and the ones I want to travel to. Then I took my soul as the thread and connected all of them, and then translated that into fabric that is reminiscent of the indigo fabric made in Mali,” Mokubung said.The collection draws influence from Kenya, Nigeria, Botswana and South Africa.
Gert-Johan Coetzee
The famed designer to the stars chose, for the first time, darker colours and patterns for his collection. This season he showed a collection in collaboration with McDonald’s and experimented with its recognisable logo, at times even placing it on the front of an evening gown’s skirt. This may not be the designer’s most daring collection, but it certainly is playful and worth a try on a night out.
- Kemp and Marshall were dressed by spree.co.za
