SA Designer Laduma Ngxokolo Showcases At Berlin Fashion Week

One of my favourite local designers Laduma just showcased his latest collection, Buyel’mbo, in Germany for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin as part of the Africa Fashion Day Berlin program. Three reason why I love Laduma; He is down-to-earth, talented and is a designer not a celebrity. His craft comes first and I love him for that.

Founded by Beatrace Angut Oola, AFRICA FASHION DAY BERLIN is a platform for young fashion labels with an African background or heritage, afford the opportunity to build up a reputation in the international fashion scene.

In collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin, three out of five designers from AFRICA FASHION DAY BERLIN sponsored by Breeze Berlin were given the possibility of showing their upcoming Spring/Summer 2015 collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin -

South African designer Laduma Ngxokolo and his label MAXHOSA by Laduma focuses on knitwear, using high-quality materials like Mohair and merino wool from his hometown Port Elizabeth. Tradition and his origin are of high importance for Laduma Ngxokolo and with his creations the designer celebrates his heritage.

Maxhosa by Laduma has made knitwear versatile and wearable not just as a jersey. In his latest collection classical African patterns in bright, undimmed colours like red, yellow and blue on cardigans and jumpers are combined with modern transparent tee-shirts and casual trousers or knitted pencil skirts.

 Black and white models on the runway show once again the inter-nationality of the designer’s collections combining contemporary style with a traditional touch, all the while making people like myself beam with pride that someone who has not compromised his individuality for the fashion industry is finally getting some recognition internationally.

Laduma has been featured on CNN and other international media platform before even though he is not that well known here at home. He is truly an inspiration, in that he is not chasing the fame here in Mzansi which does not really translate in sales anyway. He is curving a path for himself as a formidable fashion brand that can compete globally.