When it comes to international reach in the arts and fashion, it's safe to say that South Africa has arrived. With more local creatives, designers and TV stars making international headlines every other week, it seems the mantra "Africa your time is now" is fast materialising through the work of Bonang Matheba, Thuso Mbedu, Laduma Ngxokolo, Rich Mnisi, Thebe Magugu, Nicholas Hlobo, Sho Madjozi, John Kani, and more recently, David Tlale.
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With The Lion King movie on everyone's lips and social media feeds this month, it brings so much pride to see one of its stars, Florence Kasumba, donning David Tlale on the red carpet at the London premiere.
The actress, who had worn a David Tlale during the Black Panther Los Angeles premiere in 2018, was styled by London-based stylist, Jason Halsey, in the Cape Antelope Bomber and Maxi Antelope Skirt from Tlale’s latest Africanah collection.
You might recognise the print of this collection from the designer's Arise Fashion Week show in Lagos, Nigeria. Yes, the same show supermodel icon Liya Kebede, walked for.
The iconic Africanah collection was also a crowd-pleaser during the Condé ast International Luxury Conference in conjunction with African Fashion International held in Cape Town in April.
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Speaking on how the Marvel star - who has also appeared in Captain America: Civil War and Wonder Woman, and now voices the hyena 'Shenzi' - requested to be dressed by him again, David Tlale explains the vision as follows:
"I wanted to give her a look that is different, but classic and timeless and stands out on the celebrity Disney carpet. The look speaks of Africa that is global, elegant and true to itself."
The Lion King is set to be released in South Africa on 19 July 2019.
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