SOUTH AFRICA FASHION WEEK Autumn/Winter 2022 Part 1

by Cecile Paul · Published November 2, 2021 · Updated January 24, 2024

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SOUTH AFRICA FASHION WEEK delivered an Eclectic Mix of the Avant-Garde and the Less Unconventional, with Fearlessly Innovative Design and Bold Colour Palettes Heralding the New Season.

All Image Credit South Africa Fashion Week and South Africa Fashion Week Instagram

Where traditional elements meet forward-looking design – at Amanda Laird Cherry

South Africa Fashion Week – always a keenly anticipated event in the seasonal fashion calendar in a part of the world where fashion is taken very seriously, where young design is actively encouraged and nurtured – delivered exactly what it promised: innovative and exciting collections from a range of diverse influences – the legendary stalwart designers as well as the new kids on the block pulled out all the stops to make A/W 2022 another unforgettable fashion season.

In many respects these A/W 2022 collections are a typical and ever-positive South African offering: there were bold and cheery colours (as there’s bright sunshine most of the year) and unbeatable African prints (this is a continent where every region is renowned for its very own wonderful textile designs). Furthermore, designs that flatter many body shapes are celebrated and there’s always a good dose of sportswear-inspired pieces on the menu. This season was no different.

A very exciting venture of innovative collaborations between South African talents and their Italian counterparts resulted in sensational collections, stocked in Europe as well as locally.

Sit back and feast your eyes on all these awe-inspiring and cheerful offerings!

AMANDA LAIRD CHERRY

This stalwart designer is without a shadow of a doubt one of the brightest stars in the South Africa fashion universe. She’s hugely experienced and as famous locally as she is abroad. With 30+ years in the industry and a track record that saw her honoured with the Fashion Designer of the Year award at the World Fashion Awards in London in 2019 her collections are always eagerly anticipated and coveted. This AW 2022 collection wowed with its earthy colours and inspired layering. We particularly love the awesome padded head pieces!

COMPANY DETAILS

Website: www.amandalairdcherry.com
Email: info@lairdcherry.co.za
Contact: +27 31 312 2575 / +27 86 011 0339

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram: www.instagram.com/alc_woman/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/alcwoman/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCxHY1Da-n5jhNwQshDbKXwQ

Unisex, casual and street smart – at Amanda Laird Cherry

Detail in a padded head piece – at Amanda Laird Cherry

A touch of modern safari – at Amanda Laird Cherry

Stylish, layered and wonderfully wearable – at Amanda Laird Cherry

A traditional trench gets the safari treatment – at Amanda Laird Cherry

A layered silhouette that shouts sophisticated comfort – at Amanda Laird Cherry

THE BAM COLLECTIVE

Jacques Bam of The Bam Collective seeks to deliver a novel experience with each luxe collection. A central thread however that runs through his collections are the South African spirit and quintessential African influences. A collaboration between Jacques Bam and Italian counterpart Julian Cerro resulted in this stunning AW 2022 collection that seems to be taking its inspiration from many different parts of the world.

COMPANY DETAILS

Website: https://www.thebamcollective.com/
Email: jacques@thebamcollective.com
Contact: +27 72 118 4332

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram: www.instagram.com/bamcollective/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheBamCollective/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bam_collective

A tutu with a twist! – At The Bam Collective Collaboration

Pleated flair and fringed sleeves – at The Bam Collective Collaboration

Flattering contours and exaggerated sleeves – at The Bam Collective Collaboration

A padded corset balances oversized flairs – at The Bam Collective Collaboration

Not your average mini dress and platforms! At The Bam Collective Collaboration

FIKILE SOKHULU

This designer has a quintessentially feminine approach to fashion, which is always evident in the way she shapes her silhouettes. She started her exciting brand after graduating in 2018, the same year in which she was a New Talent Search Finalist. A collaboration between Fikile Sokhulu and her Italian counterpart Ilaria Bellomo resulted in this beautiful AW 2022 range. We thought the flower corsages were particularly inspired!

COMPANY DETAILS

Website: www.fikilezamagcinosokhulu.co.za/
Email: fikilesokhulu@gmail.com
Contact: +27 72 506 1099

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sokhulufikile/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sokhulufikile/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/FikileSokhulu

Floral corsages and cummerbunds – at Fikile Sokhulu Collaboration

XAVIER SADAN SOUTH AFRICA

Xavier Sadan South Africa’s brand is renowned for its narrative quality – the clothes tell a story on multiple levels. Predominantly focussed on modern menswear, the brand blurs the lines between menswear and womenswear and pushes and explores those boundaries. A collection between Michael Peter Reid and his Italian counterpart Domenico Orefice resulted in this striking AW 2022 collection. We love the multicultural vibe of this collection!

COMPANY DETAILS

Website: www.xaviersadansouthafrica.co.za
Email: xaviersadansouthafrica@gmail.com
Contact: +27 81 405 9108

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram: www.instagram.com/xaviersadansouthafrica/

Epic layering – at Xavier Sadan South Africa Collaboration

Mexican-inspired knitwear – at Xavier Sadan South Africa Collaboration

Cover and expose – at Xavier Sadan South Africa Collaboration

SIPHO MBUTO

Sipho Mbuto’s unisex label is wonderfully playful, imaginative and avant-garde. The level of craftsmanship is superb and this designer is always trying to push the boundaries of experimentation in terms of gender and design. A collaboration between Sipho Mbuto and Italian counterpart Alessia Dovero resulted in this elegant AW 2022 collection. We adore the asymmetry, layering and texturing of this collection.

COMPANY DETAILS

Email: siphombuto8@gmail.com
Contact: +27 71 753 9334

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram: www.instagram.com/siphombuto/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SiphoMbuto

Asymmetry and loose layering – at Sipho Mbuto Collaboration

FRANC ELIS

Franc Elis’s brand is renowned for its sophisticated tailoring and classic lines. Inspired by the dress code of the European in Africa at the beginning of the 20th century, his signature explores how this dress code influenced African fashion and impacted colonialization. We love the 1940’s inspiration of this collection!

COMPANY DETAILS

Website: http://francelis.co.za
Contact: +72 82 854 4960

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/franc_elis/

Classic, elegant and flattering lines – at Franc Elis

MAKLELE

Maklele is a gender fluid brand expressing the freedom to wear whatever you want, regardless of style or societal norms. Sustainability is the front line of the brand, striving to alleviate the need of excessive clothing through items that are versatile. We love this A/W 2022 collection’s transparent, sporty pieces.

COMPANY DETAILS

Email: makleledesigns@gmail.com
Contact: +27 76 052 7538

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram: www.instagram.com/makleledesigns/

Easy sportswear-inspired layering – at Maklele

Strappy pastel sportswear separates – at Maklele

SOBER

Sober celebrates women and their ability to conquer everything they put their minds to. Sober is a tribute to bold and ultra-femine shapes and the silhouette is often characterized by tailored shoulders and an exaggerated waistline. We just love the romance of this collection!

COMPANY DETAILS

Website: www.soberdesignhouse.co.za
Email: info@soberdesignhouse.co.za
Contact: +27 65 969 2058

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram: www.instagram.com/soberdesignhouse/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/soberdesignhouse/

Puff sleeve detail – at Sober

Ultra-feminine and dainty – at Sober

Romantic Midi and Maxi dresses – at Sober

NEO

Neo, brainchild of head designer Neo Victoria Rangaka, is a luxe African brand producing expressive, high-quality fashion that encourages people to see the value of who they are, despite where they come from. We thought this collection with its silk and stunning prints shines very brightly indeed.

COMPANY DETAILS

Email: nvrangaka@gmail.com ; rangakaneo@yahoo.co.za
Contact: +27 82 929 7653

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neobynvr/

A silk printed loungewear co-ords – at Neo

Fabulous proportions in this emerald green suit – at Neo

Simplicity and minimalist style – at Neo

Shocking pink looks very modern – at Neo

THABO KOPELE

Thabo Kopele is passionate about what he does, his brand’s silhouette is clean, stylish, contemporary and minimalist. Fashion to Thabo Kopele is about telling a tangible story that will last for generations to come. We absolutely adore the monochromatic ease and casual simplicity of this heirloom collection.

COMPANY DETAILS