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African Fashion International (AFI) is one of the highlights of the country’s fashion calender. While still unsure about whether founder and chief executive Precious Moloi-Motsepe and her team could pull-off the fashion showcase, which has already had its difficulties over the years, AFI surprised everyone with a well-organised and timeous event.
The runway was filled with designs from Accra, Casablanca, Dakar, Dar es Salaam, Kinshasa, Lagos, Nairobi, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Joburg – showcasing ranges for all seasons. Here are some of #Trending’s favourite designs.
KAHINDO
Congolese-Americandesigner Kahindo Mateene’s collection, Colours of Goma, isinspired by her childhood memories of growing up in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo before the war, before the volcano erupted and before the refugees.
To Mateene,Goma was blue skies over a tranquil Lake Kivu, cows grazing on the lush green farms of Masisi, the yellow of jerry cans and bananas and the rainbow of colours from MountNyiragongo. “This collection is about evoking the colours of home,” she told #Trending. Picture: Lerato Maduna
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LEIGH SCHUBERT
This signature womenswear is the quintessential requirement for layering this year.
Schubert’s collection, which is inspired by African wildlife, the Great Gatsby and Japanese kimonos, included bold colours and a range of fabrics to compliment her sexy, elegant, timeless, but still fresh and interesting designs. Picture: AFI
TONGORO BY SARAH DIOUF
Another collection that received a standing ovation, this Senegalese brand creates affordable luxury garments.
It aims to be worn with ease, be fun and fluid. With prints being a key element to the brand, the aesthetic is graphic and bold. Each piece makes its own statement without having to add much. Picture: AFI
MAXHOSA BY LADUMA
One of the most talked about collections was by designer Laduma Ngxokolo, best known for his men’s knitwear range that’s inspired by traditional Xhosa beadwork. His latest collection, which features the most amazing gowns, is inspired by optical art.
“It takes on new and inventive ways of translating patterns towards a 3D look and feel. I played with 3D patterns and fused the Maxhosa signature ... We have evolved like the culture we have been inspired by, which marks this entire collection as a luxury collection.” Picture: AFI
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UNKNOWN UNION
Working with creative director Yasiin Bey, Unknown Union is an edgy combative label that draws on comfort, belonging and creating clothing that is like works of art when worn by the men the brand wants to inspire.
The brand draws inspiration from cultural groups in central and southern Africa, and the workmanship of the Basotho blankets. “These are the stories of the people that speak of culture, advancing sustainability and the authenticity of humanhood. Stories that are paramount and foremost about being human,” says the brand. Picture: AFI
ORAPELENG MODUTLE
With its unique brand identity, the Orapeleng Modutle Style Avenue brand has become a leading name in the South African fashion space. The designs are luxuriously feminine, timeless and elegant.
Orapeleng Modutle will be taking his latest work to Nigeria for the ARISE Fashion Week happening in Lagos this weekend. Picture: AFI
QUITERIA & GEORGE
As the showstopper for Day one of fashion week, dynamic duo Quiteria & George received a standing ovation for their breathtaking and dreamy designs.
The collection which fuses an array of pastel colours, romance and sex appeal included tons of tulle, velvet and gorgeous customised shoes.
Picture: Lerato Maduna
AFI PRIVE BY DAVID TLALE
David Tlale returns to the AFI runway, but this time collaborating with the brand. The AFI Privé by David Tlale collection is an eye-catching range of elegantly cut monochromatic black and white garments complimented with some blazing yellow tones.
This limited edition range consists of eight to ten items. “The pieces are stylish and sexy with cinched waists, full-circle skirts, dramatic sleeves and quirkily unexpected placing of the range’s pussybow motif,” says Tlale.
“They have a great vintage, retro feel, combining the elegance and energy of the 1950s – Dior’s New Look meets the original, swirling skirts of the rock ‘n roll era. These are garments for a feminine and fashion-forward customer who is not afraid of making a statement."
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The luxury summer fashion brand from Cape Town, which offers women’s resort wear, swimwear, print dresses and beach accessories created a collection that takes you to paradise.
With touches of tie-dye prints, perfect swatches of paint over luxurious cotton fabrics, Xhosa-inspired resort wear skirts and majestic straw hats, Lalesso is worth taking on holiday with you. Picture: Lerato Maduna
- Marshall was dressed by spree.co.za for #AFICTFW. See her looks on Instagram and Twitter, @rhodemarshall
