SOUTH AFRICA FASHION WEEK: Spring Summer 2022 Part 1
The Bi-Annual SOUTH AFRICA FASHION WEEK Kicked off with a True Ode to Spring and Summer. Creations couldn’t be Any More Sensationally Vibrant or Inspiringly Joyful if they Tried! After All, We’re Celebrating the Inimitably Colourful African Continent.
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: thandomunku.ntuli@gmail.com 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: cebekoollunga@gmail.com 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: ipikokoza@gmail.com 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 | EMAIL: mikhile.dp@gmail.com CONTACT: +27 66 238 6632 INSTAGRAM: @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: mingandiko@gmail.com 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: fikilesokhulu@gmail.com 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 | EMAIL: michaelludwigstudio@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.michaelludwigstudio.com CONTACT: +27 72 778 8723 INSTAGRAM: @michaelludwigstudio FACEBOOK: 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: siphombuto8@gmail.com 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: helen@helonmelon.co.za 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: arthoeksteen@gmail.com 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: info@ezokhetho.com 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.
 Jacques Bam of BAM COLLECTION | EMAIL: jacques@thebamcollective.com CONTACT: +27 72 118 4332 INSTAGRAM: @bamcollective FACEBOOK: The BAM Collective TWITTER: @bam_collective |
Look out for Part 2 of SOUTH AFRICA FASHION WEEK Spring Summer 2022!
