OUR CONTEMPORARY STYLE FILES
“I wear these shirts to represent my people and their diverse cultures.” — Nelson Mandela, (on wearing Madiba shirts)
For a very long time now, designers all over the world have been inspired from elements of Africa’s fashion fabric like wooden jewellery, big head wraps, and tribal patterns. South Africa’s Madiba shirts (in bright and colourful prints) in particular have been a popular and much-loved garment. Nelson Mandela’s love for the printed shirts was known to all. His Madiba shirts were crafted by local designers like Desré Buirski and Sonwabile Ndamase. Courtesy of Mandela — Madiba Smart soon began to appear on invitations to gala events! In fact, it is said that he refused to be dressed by designer Giorgio Armani and choose locally-made suits of Yusuf Surtee.
Over the last few years, contemporary fashion design in South Africa has seen a revolution. Today, Cape Town and Johannesburg are not just home to some of the biggest fashion labels like David Tlale and Gavin Rajah, but also to emerging local brands like Thula Sindi, Selfi, and Pichulik. Yes, the days of South African fashion being associated with mere traditional batik and safari prints are long over. African aesthetics with a contemporary touch seems to be the new design philosophy.
Soweto Fashion Week and South African Fashion Week are now the two most looked forward events in their fashion calendar. Fashion bloggers too are working towards putting the country on the fashion map, as seen in the MercedezBenz Fashion Week Joburg 2016. Currently, off shoulder dresses, mismatched floral prints, and contrasting stitches are ruling their streets and runways.