Menswear revisited
AFRICA’S only menswear-focused fashion showcase, the fifth edition of the Lexus SA Menswear Week, took place this month at The Palms in Woodstock. I chatted to three designers.
It was presented in the manner of an artistic installation, featuring all the campaign models from our previous two collections. They were initially disguised behind a stocking, which was later cut open to reveal their faces, and this was intended to tell a visual parable to intrigue fashion-lovers, compelling them to think about the reasoning.
It’s about the importance of realising cultural, social, political and environmental issues within a fashion context, to educate and build renewed perspectives on the African fashion industry.
I find inspiration in organic places. I will experience or witness something or someone that will spark interest, and this interest links up within my fashion forecasting stream.
“Me” is a collection that describes my journey from when I was 19 to today. In my early years, hand-me-downs from my siblings and second-hand clothes made up my wardrobe, because one couldn’t afford cool new clothes.
Added to this was my need to stand out by reinventing these pieces through reconstructing or sometime deconstructing them.
I love denim, velvet, corduroy, suede and camouflage print. I also use houndstooth, which can be fun and serious at the same time.
Tie dye brings character and there’s knitwear, of course, just because it’s a collection for autumn/ winter.
In the past few years, my love for tuxedos led to a path where I can respect the dress- code and also give it twist, which is subtly visible by the velvet taping on the trousers matching the jacket fabric (velvet), rather than the conventional trouser taping matching the lapel of the tuxedo jacket.
Not to forget the smoking jacket with our trademark shawl peck lapel, with houndstooth trousers rather than the traditional tartan checks.
For once, the collection wasn’t about predicting consumer trends but one that’s truly me and what I love.
As a bespoke tailor and fashion designer, I’d say fine tailoring, fit, quality and ability to create garments that incorporate this with edge.