SOUTH AFRICA FASHION WEEKSpring Summer 2022 Part 1

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Image Credit South Africa Fashion Week

The highly anticipated South Africa Fashion Week Spring Summer 2022 kicked off with collections boasting extraordinary creations, an abundance of unadulterated colour and a feast of bold patterned surface design. There was no shying away from brightness, clashing prints, eclectic textiles or tactile accessories, all contributing to this delicious melting pot of African-inspired contemporary design that we have the privilege to experience twice a year.

Each designer offered their own take on, and ‘recipe’ for our Spring Summer 2022 wardrobes, each contributing in their own special way in making these collections a memorable cocktail of mindfully designed and expertly crafted fusions of couture, tailoring, resortwear, loungewear, sportswear and streetwear.

The stunning Mall of Africa was yet again the chosen venue for the après fashion (the street fashion was something to behold in its own right!), cocktails, photo shoots and of course the wonderful shows themselves, with the likes of MAC providing behind the scenes beauty expertise.

Well fashionistas, pop the champagne corks and let the shows commence! Join us on a little guided tour through the first part of South Africa Fashion Week Spring Summer 2022!

BEHIND THE SCENES:

HAIR, BEAUTY AND ACCESSORIES

Before we get to the real macoy – the fabulous fashion shows – here’s a little sneak peek into the behind-the-scenes flurry of activity prior to the shows, with hair and beauty experts working their magic on the models. Jewellery, scarves, hats, head pieces, bags, sunglasses, shoes … these are the often the details that make all the difference! The jewellery was impressively bold: multiple strings of beads, oversized chokers and monumental earrings graced the models, hats and headpieces came in all shapes and sizes, handbags were crafted, embroidered, beaded and feathered … and as a backdrop to all this extravagance there was an equally sizable emphasis on upcycling, recycling and ethical practices. True eye candy … with a solid social conscience!

THE AUDIENCE AND THE FASHIONISTAS

Front row at the shows was a noteworthy, elegant and colourful affair too. The après fashion complemented the ‘real’ shows in more ways than one! Here is where glamour met individuality and the end result is … well, see for yourselves!

THE DESIGNERS

MUNKUS

The vibrant and delightful Munkus was founded in 2019 by Thando Ntuli, who was thinking of classic Soweto and Guguletu-style fashionistas when designing her 2022 Spring Summer range. Natural fabrics form the basis of this layered and multi-purpose collection with a miniscule carbon footprint and high sustainability credentials. Munkus was the Winner of the 2022 New Talent Search.

Thando Ntuli of MUNKUS

EMAIL: [email protected]

WEBSITE: www.munkus.co.za

CONTACT: +27 72 745 6562

INSTAGRAM: @munkus_

TWITTER: @Munkus_

YOUTUBE: Thando Munku Ntuli

CZENE 24

Czene 24’s Calvin Lunga Cebekhulo inspired collection of contemporary urban streetstyle is modern in design and feel, it’s also refreshingly unisex and gender-neutral and aptly called ‘Wear me with Kindness, I am your Armour’.

Calvin Lunga Cebekhulo of CZENE 24

EMAIL: [email protected]

CONTACT: +27 61 422 5318

INSTAGRAM: @czene_24

TWITTER: @St_Lue_Calvin

IPIKOKO

Ipikoko’s easy-to-wear statement pieces are super striking in their boldness and complexity. The silhouettes, however, are simple and flatter the female figure no end. This collection is an homage to Africa and its wonderfully subtle colours and distinctive patterns.

Nicole Smith of IPIKOKO

EMAIL: [email protected]

CONTACT: +27 60 800 9185

INSTAGRAM: @ipikoko

FACEBOOK: Ipikoko

MEKAY DESIGNS

Perhaps the most colourful of all the shows on Day 1 of South Africa Fashion Week, Mekay Designs thrilled with their maverick colour combinations, inspired use of textiles and fun silhouettes. Afro-pop, resortwear and a touch of the New Romantics are all in this inspiring, theatrical collection that’s gagging for a party! All clothes are made with sustainability in mind, too.

Mikhile du Plessis of MEKAY DESIGNS

SIXX6

Minga Ndiko of SIXX6’s collection for Spring Summer is bold and joyful, with sunshine yellow beautifully juxtaposed against sky blue, (a true metaphor for the African continent!) with a pop of bright pink – a brilliant combination! The silhouettes are sophisticated, bold and utterly covetable. Wrap dresses, cropped jackets and voluminous skirts make for the perfect resort collection.

Minga Ndiko of SIXX6

EMAIL: [email protected]

CONTACT: +27 83 732 1735

INSTAGRAM: @sixx6_x

FIKILE ZAMAGCINO SOKHULU

The striking acid green pieces in this classic collection popped against the demure greys and classic black. These ageless, feminine and classic pieces came with an elegant twist: puff sleeved cropped tops, trench coats and frilled tiered skirts were utterly wearable and tactile, full of delightful and unexpected details.

Fikile Zamagcino Sokhulu of FIKILE ZAMAGCINO SOKHULU

EMAIL: [email protected]

WEBSITE: www.fikilezamagcasinosokhulu.co.za

CONTACT: +27 72 506 1099

INSTAGRAM: @sokhulufikile

FACEBOOK: Fikile Sokhulu

TWITTER: @FikileSokhulu

MICHAEL LUDWIG STUDIO

Super elegant, floaty maxi skirts and coats accentuate and flatter the female figure in Michael Ludwig’s Spring Summer 2022 collection. The colour palette is inspired – dusty greens and apricots are juxtaposed with some denim and very striking, bold royal blue. These are clothes are full of both African and Eastern influences and above all, they’re super easy to wear while making a glamorous statement.

Michael Ludwig of MICHAEL LUDWIG STUDIO

SIPHO MBUTHO

An inspired and wonderfully versatile collection is this subtly striped set of layered ensembles by Sipho Mbutho. They ooze elegance and theatrics at the same time, with their pastel colour- block patterns and pops of bright red. Super sophisticated and relaxed, the confident woman will absolutely adore each of these pieces!

Sipho Mbutho of SIPHO MBUTHO

EMAIL: [email protected]

CONTACT: +27 71 753 9334

INSTAGRAM: @siphombuto

FACEBOOK: Sipho Mbuto

TWITTER: @SiphoMbuto

HELON MELON

A stalwart of the South African fashion scene, the Helon Melon brand, needs no introduction and this season’s striking padded and quilted royal blue and coral ensembles – wrap skirts, hoodie dresses, bomber jackets and the likes – are yet another confident and easy-to-wear, super stylish set of must-haves. The pieces are interchangeable and casual, elegant and unmistakably from the stables of Helen Gibbs.

Helen Gibbs of HELON MELON

EMAIL: [email protected]

WEBSITE: www.helonmelon.co.za

INSTAGRAM: @helonmelonct

FACEBOOK: Helon Melon Retail

ARTHO EKSTEEN

Known for his extraordinary use of colour and pattern, Artho Eksteen’s Spring Summer collection was a tribute to all things vibrant and joyful. With the emphasis squarely on slow fashion and ethical sourcing of fabrics, this delightful offering with its quirky and eclectic pieces is definitely one of the most eye-catching collections at the shows.

Artho Eksteen of ARTHO EKSTEEN

EMAIL: [email protected]

WEBSITE: www.arthoeksteen.com

CONTACT: +27 72 577 2040

INSTAGRAM: @arthoeksteen

EZOKHETHO

Mpumelelo Dhlamini’s Spring Summer 2022 range is very much in tune with his previous work, strong modern silhouettes with a definite African influence. The fabric patterns and designs brilliantly fuse the traditional with the contemporary. It’s sophisticated, elegant and bold.

Mpumelelo Dhlamini of EZOKHETHO

EMAIL: [email protected] / [email protected]

CONTACT: +27 75 557 6627

INSTAGRAM: @ezokhetho

FACEBOOK: Ezokhetho

TWITTER: ezokhetho

LINKEDIN: Ezokhetho

THE BAM COLLECTIVE

Glamorous and luxurious would be one way of describing Jacques Bam’s extraordinary collection for Spring Summer 2022. Exaggerated shoulders, sculpted scalloped sleeves and elaborate collars are juxtaposed with the elegance of floaty gowns and artful headpieces. Graphic black-an-white patterning is an interesting contrast with the very bold acid greens and shocking pinks.