Intrepid designer Lani Adeoye is inspired by the organic rhythms of the traditional society, adapting them for modern audiences When your designs have been featured in the likes of Architectural Digest, Azure, Dezeen and Elle Decor, not to mention on Netflix and in Wallpaper, Dwell and Vogue, you have every reason to preen. But Lagos-based…
Mother of mankind
MaXhosa Africa presents a new collection inspired by the late rapper and ‘muse’ Riky Rick Award-winning South African fashion brand MaXhosa has paid tribute to the late rapper Rikhado ‘Riky Rick’ Makhado, who sadly took his own life in Johannesburg in February 2022. The brand’s Alkebulan collection was inspired by Makhado, who was known for…
30+ modern Tsonga traditional dresses for weddings in 2022
Having an appropriate outfit is a step closer to creating a memorable wedding day. In recent years, brides in South Africa have increasingly embraced traditional attires rather than having the usual white wedding. This article highlights modern Tsonga traditional dresses that couples are wearing on their big day in 2022. New feature: Check out news…
The Handmade's Tale
Honouring the beauty of the handmade. The beauty and tactility of the handmade is singular. The Design Indaba Emerging Creatives featured here might express their creative visions broadly and via different disciplines, but they all harness the skill of handicraft, and its inimitable effect. Clement Maenetja Clement Maenetja’s current body of work, Memories, is an…
100 Beautiful Baskets
A curated exhibition that celebrates African weavers Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront is the place to be to celebrate the festive season – its Joy from Africa to the World project, which kicked off two years ago, reimagines Christmas on the African continent by showcasing local, sustainable craft, design and art. For 2021, Platform Creative –…
Table Talk with Thabisa Mjo
Thabisa Mjo of Mash T. Design Studio launches new ceramics collection. Lauded local designer and winner of the Design Indaba Most Beautiful Object in South Africa award 2018 (for her Tutu 2.0 pendant), Thabisa Mjo of Mash T. Design Studio uses the medium of design to tell South Africa stories. She elevates the perception of local design…
The man behind the mask(s)
We chat to artist Kip Omolade about his new Diovadiova Chrome series Mixed-media artist Kip Omolade, who was born in New York City, started out as a graffiti artist when he interned at Marvel Comics and The Center for African Art. In a sense, it set the stage for his current work – larger-than-life portraits…
En vogue
Design Indaba Emerging Creative Tshepiso Lekganyane has found her passion at the intersection of fashion and art Fine art graduate and jewellery designer Tshepiso Lekganyane is the founder and metalsmith of Tshepiso Jewellery. Following her graduation from the University of the Witwatersrand, Lekganyane studied at Alchimia Contemporary Jewellery School in Florence and, upon returning to…
Africa Fashion International’s ‘Power To Empower’ event is back with a bang
Africa Fashion International (AFI) is closing off Women’s Month on a high note with the second annual “Power To Empower” event, set to take place at the Jaguar Land Rover Experience Centre in Lone Hill, Joburg, on August 30. Themed “Drive Your Vision”, the second annual fashion event aims to celebrate South African women who…
Mzansi’s top designers to showcase at Free State Fashion Week
Celebrated designers Gert-Johan Coetzee and Palesa Mokubung will be showcasing their work at the Free State Fashion Week in September. Following a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Free State Fashion Week (FSFW) is returning for its fifth instalment. The fashion event will take place at the Naval Hill Planetarium in Bloemfontein between…
Africa’s coolest fashion designers will soon have their clothes in a store near you
The Folklore is developing a platform to help smooth the pathways for diverse brands in emerging markets to get their products into Western stores. When you visit a chic shopping area–say, the Meatpacking District in New York or the Champs Élysée in Paris–you’ll find the best-known luxury brands of our time, from Chanel to Tory…
BBNaija's Beauty breaks silence over disqualification, apologises to fans
Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Beauty Tukura has broken her silence since her disqualification from the seventh season of the show. The former beauty queen took to her Instagram page on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, where she penned a lengthy and heartfelt message. “When I learned I was accepted into the Big Brother Naija season…
Netflix’s’Young, Famous & African’ renewed for season 2
Netflix’s debut African unscripted series ‘Young, Famous & African’ is set to return to the streamer for its second season. Confirming the show’s renewal, co-creator Peace Hyde shared on Instagram: “The Love for ‘YOUNG, FAMOUS & AFRICAN’ Africa’s first @Netflix unscripted original series has been incredible! Thank you to each and everyone of you all…
City invites designers to showcase at Durban Fashion Fair
nterested designers, who wish to showcase at the #DFF2022, need to submit the following: designer profile and proof of residential address. Durban Fashion Fair (#DFF2022) is proud to announce the theme for this year’s show: ‘Expressive Expression’. The theme primarily relates back to the core and heartbeat of our unique African city of Durban. Organisers…
Francia Marquez: ‘Vogue’ sheds light on Vice President’s ‘powerful form’
Francia Marquez sworn in as Vice President in front of a crowd of Colombians at Plaza de Bolivarafrom Bogota, and others who watched from their television the inauguration of the first leftist government headed by President Gustavo Petro. The social leader, who attracted attention for her blue, orange and white dress, said, “I swear to…
Objects of Desire: Colourful, lively, easy on the eye
Moonlit and fabulous Beautifully embellished clutch bags are the ultimate rogue, always in vogue. The moon as a symbol of eternity and immortality is the accessory that never goes out of style. This reissue on the classic Judith Leiber crescent moon clutch is inspired by Mexican-style pottery finished off with a tassel trim. Available at…
LagosPHX Fashion Week aims to make Downtown Phoenix a 'global culture and fashion destination'
The vibrant and trendsetting styles of Africa are coming down the runway in Downtown Phoenix.
Discovering African Artists in Space Fashion
Space technology and exploration have had visible effects on various industries, including agriculture, energy, banking, education, health, and aviation, to mention a few. The fashion industry has not been left out of the creativity and business opportunities that space presents. From fashion design to material engineering, the possibilities are vast. After human space travel became…
Must-Have: 5 classic designer handbags every woman needs
Here are five classic bags every woman must own; Bags are one of the favourite parts of dressing up, they add some needed colour and accessorize the outfit and elevate the look. Bag trends are different from cloth trends because most people will stick with classic designs whose prices always appreciate. Some people regard these…
How used clothes became part of Africa's creative economy - and fashion sense
In recent years the global secondhand apparel market for clothing and shoes has grown exponentially. In 2002 used clothing exports were worth $1.4bn. Despite a slowdown during the Covid-19 pandemic exports were close to $4bn in 2020.