Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Cape Town highlights

Another Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Cape Town Highlights has come and gone bringing together a wide array of South African talent and designers from other parts of Africa to showcase their new season collections. The event was set to celebrate its 10th anniversary with a four-day fashion extravaganza which abrupt end late on the second due to gale force winds. Two weeks later, on a much calmer April weekend, the show went on and brought us the rest of the collections, and it was worth the wait. Here are my highlights from the emerging and established designers who showcased at #MBFWCT2017

Cleo Droomer
Following a fashion sabbatical which saw him involved in commercial couture, workwear, and the uniform industry, the South African designer has made a stronger comeback to the runways with a collection which offers the perfect blend of high fashion and street style inspired elements. Think bomber jackets and oversized coats over soft drapery in a tasteful palette of basic colours, feminine silhouettes sharpened by a touch of masculine tailoring and you will get the picture.

Stefania and Shana Morland
The mother and daughter design duo offered us a romantic collection of with soft, delicate fabrics and textural cover pieces in rust and peach tones while Shana Morland introduced deep sky blues in sequence and soft chiffons with constellation details, finishing the looks with Raya Rossi jewellery and a touch of distinctive Morland elements of ribbon and a hint of sparkle.

David Tlale
David Tlale, the veteran wunderkid of South African fashion, is always a highlight of course, and his new collection at MBFWCT was no different with much all the characteristic elements of glam, glitz and grandeur – a luxurious collection of rich fabrics such as lace and velvet, vibrant colours of deep purple and gunmetal, plenty of volume in Victorian inspired silhouettes as well as sleek tailoring in fitted suits for men and women.

AfroMod Trends
A debuting designer at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Cape Town was one of Ghana’s celebrated labels AfroMod Trends, the brainchild of architect and fashion designer Ami Yomekpe. AfroMod Trends truly dazzled the SA fashionsitas with ‘The African Gatsby’ – a collection rich in glam and glitz taking style cues from the ’20 and reimagining with a touch of African style.

Ituen Basi
Nigerian veteran never fails to delight her audience of course, whether it is in Lagos, London, New York or Cape Town. Inspired by the designer’s beloved clients, Ituen cast a retrospective look at our most iconic pieces, which led to our revisiting, reimagining, reconstructing and reengineering their favourite pieces for the NKOYO collection. No wonder then some of the pieces such as the slogan tees, the vibrant African print fringed midi skirts, ruffled Ankara coats will take you down memory lane, just as well as the brand prepares to celebrate its 10th year in Nigeria.

Taibo Bacar
With career highlights including being awarded Designer of the year at Mozambique Fashion Week 2008, showcasing at Milan Fashion Week 2011 and receiving the Emerging designer of the year award at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Africa 2012, while Taibo Bacar is not new to the game, each collection he brings to the runway feels fresh and new. Influenced by his ethnic background, from traditional Mozambican customs, to lively dances and ever-shifting cultural movements, as well as the strength and love of the modern woman; Taibo Bacar’s collection is a celebration of Mozambique.

Maxhosa by Laduma
“Missoni is Europe’s answer to Africa’s Maxhosa by Laduma” said fellow designer Ann McCreath not long ago. Truly Laduma is celebrated as one of South Africa’s finest not only for his innovative knitwear but also for his skill in creating a heritage Brand in a modern context in just five years. The Coronation of MaXhosa is the celebration of those five year, and Laduma feels that this Collection has exited infancy and now finds itself in the adult stage. His Brand has grown, but his feet are still firmly planted on the ground, with MaXhosa identifying as more than fashion, but a lifestyle experience.

Adama Paris
Senegalese designer brought to the MBFWCT runway one of the most vibrant collections of the showcase inspired by the Sapeurs of Congo – ordinary working men wearing elegant sharp attire and creating flamboyant identities for themselves through their brightly colourful suits, and luxurious swagger. Adama’s female reimagining of the Sapeur, ‘Sapeuse’ was equally flamboyant in vibrant colours of orange, turquoise and purple, unique prints, wild ruffles with dresses and tops adorned with the faces of androgynous women sporting moustaches. Hats optional!