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It was a headturner at this year’s AFI Cape Town Fashion Week. Rhodé Marshall looks at the most beautiful design in MaXhosa by Laduma’s Amasiko Nezithethe – which means traditions and customs – collection.
MaXhosa by Laduma has once again stolen the show at the Motsepe’s African Fashion International Cape Town Fashion Week, held last week. This time they showcased their 2019 Autumn/Winter collection called Amasiko Nezithethe, which means traditions and customs.
The garments showcase how these have influenced our dress code as Africans – and the brand uses its work to connect the continent in sharing an archive of how different ethnic groups in Africa adorn themselves. Seen as a form of cultural preservation, it reflects modern African heritage.
Said Laduma Ngxokolo, Africa’s finest knitwear designer and founder of MaXhosa by Laduma, before the show: “For me personally, what fascinates me is that in our country and continent there are many traditions. There is a unique print I’ve created, which I call The African Union. The continent has been deemed as highly divided; I’m trying to unite it through fashion. I believe that there was communication or major influence between cultures. It answers the questions as to how it is that Xhosa beadwork patterns are similar to the Masai warriors as well as the Egyptian artefacts.”
The garments have a ceremonial look, resembling the embellishments within various African houses. The common thread explored is the balance between patterns and colours. Introducing patterned collars and detailed embossing. Technically, the collection juxtaposes different cultures from the world.
MaXhosa Atelier creative director Tina Ngxokolo, who designed the breathtaking showstopper, told #Trending she approached the pieces in the collection with a modern twist in mind. One of her designs was our design of the week.
“The shape of the dress is a traditional A-line, which has been used in Western designs for centuries.
“But I had to bring it back to what resonates with me.”
The dress is bold and daring, yet with sophistication and class and features the MaXhosa signature pattern and combination of colours.
“The geometric shapes – knitted from silk yarn – of the dress are individually cut, linked and hand sewn on to the dress.”
About the pieces that start off with no gaps in between them on top and scatter apart at the bottom Ngxokolo said: “This for me personally represents growing close together and in the journey growing apart, but in the same shape and values finding our own rhythm of colour along the way.”
