SOUTH AFRICAN XHOSA ATTIRE FOR WOMEN

Loved South African Maxhosa Makes Regal Debut

Laduma Ngxokolo, the man behind the SOUTH AFRICAN XHOSA ATTIRE knitwear brand Maxhosa, which has come a fast- growing fashion import, is no foreigner to having his work in New York. Last time, a string- knit sweater by Ngxokolo was displayed as part of the Museum of Modern Art’s “ Is Fashion ultramodern? ” exhibition and, up until this week, his kaftans were in Bloomingdale’s as part of a pop- up inspired by Disney’s live- action remake of The Lion King, curated by actress Florence Kasumba. But this season marked the developer’s first sanctioned incursion into the fashion world beyond South Africa, as he debuted his spring- summer 2020 collection in theU.S. at New York Fashion Week, part of the “ Made in Africa ” banner show Thursday,Sept. 5, at Spring Studios.
It’s all a collaborative moment that’s been a long time in the timber, following the enormous success of Black catamount last time. Ngxokolo dressed John Kani and his son Atandwa for the Los Angeles premiere of that film and also inspired costume developer Ruth E Carter in her exploration for the movie’s Oscar- winning outfits.
“ I would n’t really give the credit to Black catamount entirely, ” Ngxokolo told The Hollywood journalist. “ I ’d say it’s an elaboration that has been passing for some time, and technology has now just happed to evolve it in a faster way. The whole hunger for the African aesthetic has been there for decades. It’s just that now it’s bigger than it ever was. Black catamount did show African fashion in a right way. We, and a lot of brands( in South Africa,) are about moving out of the curio space where it does n’t belong — and creating a more refined, elegant way of presenting ourselves. We’re fated to play a major part in the world through music, fashion and design. ”

Ngxokolo has established a firm presence in his home country, where his line of womenswear, menswear, accessories and home scenery( inspired by his Xhosa parenting) are worn by original personalities; his designs have also been called out by Alicia Keys and her patron hubby Swizz Beatz, Beyoncé and songster Raphael Saadiq, among others. For his spring- summer 2020 show, Ngxokolo went with the theme

“ We Are lords and Queens ” — showcasing a fresh take on his trademark vibrant colors( this time inspired by the colors of the South African flag) and bold zigzags and graphic prints that Beyoncé stressed when she posted about Maxhosa in 2016. He also incorporated traditional beadwork patterns into wraps and headwear, playing on the conventional theme of the collection.

TRENDY FASHION OF SOUTH AFRICAN XHOSA ATTIRE FOR WOMEN

“ Having Beyoncé mention me was a confirmation that we’re moving in the right direction, ” says Ngokolo. “ It’s given me so much further confidence to endorse the African narrative because I speak from a place of authority and authenticity, ” he adds. “ utmost pattern brands have a classic appeal, but we’ve a little further than that. People get the sense that it’s new. It’s artistic in a beautiful way. We say that we’re elegant, proud and unapologetic.

The statement to me is that kingliness does n’t have to be attached to the monarchy or royal blood. It’s saying that every African person, every black person, is a king and a queen, and they should look at themselves in that way and noway dwindle themselves among society; they must look at themselves in a more auspicious way through clothes, because that’s the first print, before you indeed open your mouth, people see what you wear. That’s how we should represent ourselves. ”
The developer’s confidence should be farther boosted by the otherMs. Carter( RuthE. Carter), who has tapped him to give some clothes for the forthcoming Coming to America 2. “ She asked for a couple of pieces because they ’re busy shooting in Atlanta in the moment. ” The regal theme of the film seems to make the fit with Maxhosa a natural bone
. “ I flash back watching that show veritably youthful on public television, ” says Ngxokolo. “ That majestic kingship appeal — it was veritably nostalgic. There’s a lot more coming, ” he says. “ We just have to keep evolving. ”
    

The show comes in a time when South African fashion is flourishing outside of the country H&M released its first African collaboration with Johannesburg- grounded marker Mantsho last month and, before this week, actress and Louis Vuitton face Alicia Vikander presented 26- time-old South African developer Thebe Magugu with the coveted LMVH prize in Paris. The Johannesburg- grounded womenswear developer isn’t only the youthful of this time’s finalists, but also the first gift from Africa to land in the tests.