SOUTH AFRICA FASHION WEEK
Spring Summer 2022 Part 2
SOUTH AFRICA FASHION WEEK Wrapped Up with Glorious Sunshine-Inspired Offerings in Both Menswear and Womenswear. Influences Included Afro-Pop, Hip-Hop and Streetstyle, and Colour Remained the Crowning Glory of the Shows.
Image Credit South Africa Fashion Week and Participating Designers’ Instagram
Clashing colours, complimentary colours, colour-blocking, vivid patterning … most collections exploded with colour and the offerings for Spring Summer 2022 couldn’t have been more vibrantly presented. Chartreuse, shocking pink, tangerine, lavender and all the different hues of blue – from seasonal stalwart denim to classic royal blue – jostled for position alongside dreamy pastels and the odd accent of black and white. Menswear was easily as colorful as womenswear this season, many ranges boasted expertly layering and pieces were interchangeable and often ‘unisex’. There was more than a flavour of the avant-garde! Clever garment design, asymmetry, intricate surface details and exaggerated features were ever- present. Sleeves, in particular, were a focus and came in the most fantastical, oversized shapes.
BEHIND THE SCENES:
HAIR, BEAUTY AND ACCESSORIES
The beauty wizards conjured up spectacular make-up looks from the stables of MAC – vibrant and bold, to complement the strong runway collections. Vivid eye shades, bright lips and metallic accents worked their magic alongside the bright collections.
Accessories complemented the looks – bucket-shaped hats, sculptural straw hats and artfully shaped head pieces gave ensembles an added dimension. Patterned ankle socks peeking out from sandals or bright trainers, platform shoes, super pointy stiletto kitten heel boots, strappy nude sandals and sturdy flat brogues all vied for attention as models strutted their stuff. Head scarves were tied nonchalantly 60s style, hand-crafted padded and embroidered handbags, clutch bags and tote bags were swinging from arms.
THE AUDIENCE, THE STREETSTYLE AND THE FASHIONISTAS
‘Dressed to kill’ springs to mind when looking at the front rows at the fashion shows! Inspired fashion choices were to be spotted all over as fashionistas sipped their champagne before the shows in the glamorous Mall of Africa’s foyer. Johannesburg is a world city famous for its love of fashion with its numerous shopping malls filled with boutique clothing – it was a given that South Africa Fashion Week Spring Summer 2022 would be no exception!
Here’s a snapshot of the après fashion and the fashionably-inspired crowd who attended the shows.
THE DESIGNERS
AMANDA LAIRD CHERRY
Queen of garment design and construction with its unexpected avant-garde twists, Amanda Laird Cherry is a stalwart on the local fashion scene. Her Spring Summer 2022 offerings are stunningly vibrant and considered, the colour palette simply delicious and the silhouettes totally inspiring, covetable and utterly wearable. The headpieces round off these wonderful creations beautifully.
 Amanda Laird Cherry of AMANDA LAIRD CHERRY | EMAIL: info@lairdcherry.co.za WEBSITE: www.amandalairdcherry.com CONTACT: +27 31 312 2575 INSTAGRAM: @alc_woman FACEBOOK: Amanda Laird Cherry Apparel YOUTUBE: Amanda Laird Cherry Apparel |
JUDITH ATELIER
Judith Atelier’s fantastically feminine creations with their collar and sleeve accents in dreamy-soft sorbet pastel shades, are beyond beautiful. Theatrical and romantic at the same time, they transport us to faraway places and times gone by. The Delft-inspired patterns are particularly distinctive and endearing, and so is the nod to the Eighties in the flouncy collars, plaques and sleeves.
 | EMAIL: info@judithatelier.co.za WEBSITE: www.judithatelier.co.za CONTACT: +27 82 450 4217 INSTAGRAM: @judithatelier FACEBOOK: Judith Atelier TWITTER: @judithatelier |
MANTSHO
Palesa Mobuking’s fingerprint is very distinctive. These unforgettable creations that pay homage to the African continent and its love of colour, shape and pattern, are boldly beautiful. These are pieces – the multilayered tiered skirts, the shoulder plaque details, the scallops and pleats – for the confident woman who wants to stand out in a crowd, wearing something that oozes uniqueness, elegance and individuality.
 Palesa Mokubung of MANTSHO | EMAIL: mantsholifestyle@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.mantsho.com CONTACT: +27 71 881 4828 INSTAGRAM: @mantsholifestyle FACEBOOK: Mantsho by Palesa Mokubung TWITTER: @PalesaMokubung |
BEACHCULT
Joanna Hedley’s stunning dresses effortlessly take you from the beach straight to dinner or a night on the town. Her swimwear is already a cult classic brand in South Africa and the addition of dresses to the portfolio perpetuates the beach vibe of an endless, glamorous summer. Easy to wear and ethically manufactured in Cape Town, this range is the ultimate in resortwear – whether you find yourself in Ibiza, Portofino, Cyrus or on Cape Town’s ‘never-ending summer’ Atlantic Seaboard.
 Joanna Hedley of BEACHCULT | EMAIL: hello@beachcult.co.za WEBSITE: www.beachcult.co.za CONTACT: +27 68 027 0771 INSTAGRAM: @beachcult FACEBOOK: BeachCult TWITTER: @JoannaBeachCult |
BELHAUZEN
One of the few collections that opted to not indulge in colour per se, Belhauzen’s monochromatic black and white – with the occasional addition of plaid patterning – is, to say the least, extremely striking in its boldness and easy-to-wear simplicity. The pieces are clean-cut, elegant, effortless to combine with existing wardrobe staples and layer. They’re evidently simple to wear with a pair of white trainers, to boot, too!
 Belinda Venter of BELHAUZEN | EMAIL: info@belhauzen.com WEBSITE: www.belhauzen.com CONTACT: +27 67 220 7818 INSTAGRAM: @belhauzen FACEBOOK: Belhauzen TWITTER: @belhauzen |
KAYLA STAM
This collection by designer Kayla Stamboul is a symphony of dreamy pastels – lavender, sky blue and patterned peach and apricot shades – with the occasional pop of brightest chartreuse and shocking pink. With its relaxed cut palazzo pants, maxi coats, prim white shirts and tiered skirts, this is a collection that’ll happily find its way into many a working woman’s wardrobe.
 Kayla Stamboul of KAYLA STAM | EMAIL: info@kayla-stam.com WEBSITE: www.kayla-stam.com CONTACT: +27 73 485 9219 INSTAGRAM: @kayla_stam FACEBOOK: Kayla Stam TWITTER: @kayla_stam |
ISABEL DE VILLIERS
Isabel de Villiers’ silhouettes are designed for the female figure of every size and shape: they’re simple, elegant and easy to wear. The empire style-lines and maxi lengths flatter most figures no end. The naïve patterning on the black garments are an artsy addition to a range that oozes sophistication and the combination of all the greens – sea green, bottle green and olive – is inspired, providing a wonderful contrast with the cerise accents.
 Isabel de Vlliers of ISABEL DE VILLIERS | EMAIL: isabeldevilliersclothing@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.isabeldevilliers.com CONTACT: +27 84 441 8222 INSTAGRAM: @isabeldevilliersclothing FACEBOOK: Isabel de Villiers Clothing |
NTANDO XV
This is a collection of pieces that are striking in their artisanal quality: the contrasting piping gives garments a feeling of contouring and free-flow in the pieces where the piping is extended beyond the garments. Avant-garde and nuanced, each piece is a little artwork in its own right. The combination of black and white with the addition of sage green is no less than inspired.
 Ntando Ngwenya of NTANDO XV | EMAIL: ntandoxv@gmail.com INSTAGRAM: @ntandoxv FACEBOOK: Ntando XV Artisan TWITTER: @Ntando_XV |
AFRIKANSWISS
It’s all about the age-old classic, denim, in Afrikanswiss’ collection. Thato Matabane’s inspired use of denim – patchworked, bleached, appliqued, topstitched and distressed – is a refreshing take on the old classic. Silhouettes, especially the shape of the trousers, are modern, contemporary, forward-looking and simply super exciting. The pop of a yellow T-shirt, red braces, a brown zip and the odd leather pocket make this a collection that shouts individuality.
 Thato Matabane of AFRIKANSWISS | EMAIL: tmafubelu@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.afrikanswiss.co.za CONTACT: +(27) 84 – 958-2945 INSTAGRAM: @afrikanswiss FACEBOOK: Afrikanswiss TWITTER: @AfrikanSwiss |
LOXION KULCA
Trendy and easy to wear, this vivid range for men and women is another winner from the stables of this stalwart Johannesburg-based company. Bright blues, greens and neon shades rub shoulders in a collection that won’t let its wearer go unnoticed! Belts, visors, hats, moon bags and the company’s own footwear round off a collection that epitomizes Johannesburg city living and working.
 LOXION KULCA | EMAIL: gideon@loxionkulca.com INSTAGRAM: @loxionkulca FACEBOOK: Loxion Kulca TWITTER: @loxionKULcA |
FRANC ELIS
Unbeatable tailoring complete with combat pockets is the trademark of designer Fabrice Moyo for Franc Elis. The collection boasts an interesting colour range of blue, lavender, spring green and grey, beautifully juxtaposed with a pop of tangerine and the odd yellow accent. The monochrome ensembles are inspired, likewise, garments with tiny contrasting details like the yellow pockets on the denim blue suit work exceedingly well.
 Fabrice Moyo of FRANC ELIS | EMAIL: amo@francelis.com WEBSITE: www.francelis.co.za CONTACT: +27 82 854 3960 INSTAGRAM: @franc_elis FACEBOOK: Franc Elis |
FLOYD AVENUE
A prominent brand on the South African menswear landscape, Floyd Avenue’s multi-faceted pieces are quirky, unique and forward-thinking. With huge attention to detail, designer Floyd Manatoane has carved out a niche for androgynous clothing with his avant-garde silhouettes. The stripes, the tie-belts, cropped culottes, hollowed-out scoop-neck tops and shirt-coats are must-have items for any individual who wants to make a fashion statement sporting this subtly theatrical and ultra-wearable brand.
 Floyd Manatoana of FLOYD AVENUE | EMAIL: avenuefloyd@yahoo.com INSTAGRAM: @floydavenue FACEBOOK: Floyd Avenue Apparel TWITTER: @FloydAvenue |
EPHYMOL
This is menswear for the confident, the glamorous and the adventurous! Not one to shy away from making men look suave and glam, designer Ephraim Molingoane succeeds in doing just that, season after season. The black and gold combinations, the quilted shorts and cummerbunds, the PVC-look shiny surfaces and close-cut tailoring all ooze sophisticated man-about-town chic.
 Ephraim Molingoane of EPHYMOL | EMAIL: ephymol14@gmail.com INSTAGRAM: @ephymol FACEBOOK: Ephymol TWITTER: @ephymol14 |
