From ’70s accents to pastel palettes and gender fluid styles, summer 2016 is set to be fashionably stylish.
These were just some of the trends spotted at the SA Menswear Week (SAMW).
Billed as Africa’s only menswear-focused fashion week, celebrated designers from South Africa and Nigeria presented their 2016/7 Spring Summer collections over four days at the Cape Town Stadium. While most of the designers impressed with perfect tailoring, and attention to detail and design, other collections were average. Here are our highlights.
1. FMBCJ by Craig Jacobs
Jacobs’s “Harvest of the Warrior” collection was a colourful canvas of separates, including suits, bomber jackets, shorts and extended shirts in African prints. Paired with trendy New Balance sneakers, the clothes are a hybrid between athletic and street wear.
2. Chulaap by Chu Suwannapha
Wearing print-on-print which combines two or more prints can be daunting, but Suwannapha makes it look effortlessly chic. His collection titled “African Surfers” paid homage to the African continent, celebrating its diversity and beauty. The designs included Suwannapha’s signature African prints paired with tribalism inspired make-up and styling. Teamed with illustrated knitted pullovers, the collection is for the brave of the fashion bunch.
A photo posted by ChuSuwannapha (@chusuwannapha) on Jul 10, 2016 at 1:18am PDT
A photo posted by Imprint ZA (@imprint_za) on Jun 29, 2016 at 5:07am PDT
Gender neutral and gender non-conformist clothing options are trending world-wide. Mbane’s collection showcased a variety of printed shorts, skirts and dresses in pastel hues. The daring designs, which included subtle print inserts, showed a lot of skin .
A photo posted by Jenevieve Lyons (@jenevieve_lyons) on Jul 7, 2016 at 6:06am PDT
Aesthetically strong and with quality designs that will leave you in awe of the artistry that crafted each garment, her “Deferential Spring/Summer 2016-1” collection is a pastel and dark denim heaven. She describes it as a tale of migrated cultures, to tell a story dubbed by default – blurring what is defined and undefined.
5. Lukhanyo Mdingi
Mdingi presented a beautifully styled collection. His pieces in earthy tones of burnt orange, navy and white, included feminine shirts, pants and jumpsuits in knits, satin and linen.
6. Orange Culture
This Nigerian androgynous brand is celebrated for pushing boundaries with clothes that can be worn by both men and women. Their collection celebrated misfits or outcasts by showing love to individuals who refuse to blend in, instead celebrating their uniqueness. The colourful collection includes t-shirts, bomber jackets, shorts and pants.
7. Rich Mnisi x Thebe Magugu
The two designers collaborated to present a stunning collection, titled “Family Photos”. Models strutted the runway in shiny, clingy high-waisted bellbottom pants, dresses and shirts, as well as jackets. Each piece displayed a photo from their family albums...marrying fashion and storytelling.
8. Terrence Bray
A photo posted by SA Menswear Week (@samenswearweek) on Jul 6, 2016 at 10:17am PDT
Brey presented a feminine collection in muted earthy colours of brown, grey and green. The androgynous clothing in classic female silhouettes, included sleeveless tops, pants and shorts that were paired with beautifully crafted accessories and hats.
9. Tokyo James
The British Nigerian contemporary brand’s showcase included tailored suits and separates of jackets, shorts and trousers in pink, black and grey. The styling included statement accessories.
CAPE ARGUS