WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

I can vividly remember flipping through the pages of fashion magazines in the early 2000s and spotting the now iconic Louis Vuitton x Murakami bags on the arm of every celebrity and model of the time. It was an era-defining collaboration. Now, two decades later, the luxury brand and Japanese artist are rekindling their legendary partnership with an exciting, reimagined collection, set to be unveiled in vibrant chapters throughout 2025.

The Partnership That Shaped a Design Era

The original Louis Vuitton x Murakami collection debuted in 2003 under the creative direction of Marc Jacobs and quickly became one of the most iconic and influential fashion collaborations of its time. It spawned the now-common practice of luxury brands collaborating with contemporary artists.

The collaboration lasted for more than a decade, featuring numerous iterations and exclusive releases, but was ultimately discontinued in 2015. Since then, pieces from the early collections have become highly sought after on the vintage resale market (the surge in popularity is thanks to a renewed interest in Y2K pop-culture and fashion).

Breathing New Life into the Collaboration

Chapter 1

Louis Vuitton x Murakami once again combines Louis Vuitton’s unwavering dedication to creativity, innovation, and craftsmanship with Takashi Murakami’s vibrant aesthetic and whimsical characters. In this new collection, the artist’s playful works from the original collaboration are celebrated and showcased across a diverse range of Louis Vuitton’s most renowned and coveted women’s leather goods and accessories, including bags and perfumes.

Collection highlights include the Monogram Multicolore – the original motif – rendered on numerous City Bags including the Keepall, the Coussin, the Dauphine, the OnTheGo and the Speedy, as well as on belts, wallets, wedge espadrilles, and the eye-catching Rolling Trunk. Murakami’s character Superflat Panda appears on items like sneakers, keyrings, and even skateboards.

Chapter 2

Launching this March, Chapter 2 is a celebration of Japan’s cherry blossom season. The 20-year anniversary re-edition of the original collaboration features Japanese master artist Takashi Murakami’s exquisite Cherry Blossom motif meticulously rendered upon more than 40 of the House’s creations, including a range of City Bags, Art of Travel luggage, a collection of smaller leather designs, and the brand’s Spell on You perfume.

Chapter 3

The third and final chapter of the collection – with Murakami’s instantly recognisable smiling Cherry motif – accompanies Louis Vuitton’s 2025 Resort collection. Its focal point, the irresistible kawaii charm of Murakami’s signature Cherry icon, has been meticulously rendered across the House’s creations | eu.louisvuitton.com

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A contemporary selection of African fashion and design is available in Joburg at a bespoke pop-up store of the local collective Merchants on Long.

Situated in the renowned Keyes Art Mile in Rosebank, the pop-up is located at the Okapi flagship store and gives visitors an opportunity to shop a wide range of carefully curated African fashion from some of the continent’s hottest makers.

Maki Oh, Emilia D, Dye Lab and Sidai Designs are some of the exclusive fashion and jewellery on offer, with updates on collections and ranges happening every week to keep stock fresh, limited and exciting.

What started as a store on Cape Town’s well-known Long Street in 2020 (which recently underwent a soft revamp), there is a shop in the V&A Waterfront, with pop-ups in Paris and London over the last few years. Most recently, a semi-permanent boutique in the Burlington Arcade, London ensures Africa is put on the fashion map globally. A full e-commerce offering also gives people the opportunity to shop at the click of a mouse. 

Many of South Africa’s great designers have been nurtured through brand growth by Merchants and currently, the offering includes Lukhanyo Mdingi, Sindiso Khumalo and Viviers studio. Lukhanyo, Viviers, Muso Maxwell and Thebe Magugu grace the rails of the brand-new pop-up store.

“Merchants on Long has a fantastic online store that delivers countrywide,” explains Jeanine Benjamin, Merchants on Long CEO, “but we know that being able to engage with the clothes, physically feeling and seeing the pieces, is the best way to appreciate the quality of craftsmanship and textile choice.

“Alongside some of our best South African fashion, the pop-up will also stock labels from designers across the continent. These include Banke Kuku and Dye Lab, who have a strong fanbase in Johannesburg. Plus many others have a sophisticated appeal, and yet have not been exposed to the Joburg customer.

“We want to be able to bring showcase these designers while supporting and celebrating African craftsmanship,” she adds. 

For more information, visit merchantsonlong.co.za.

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Multi-faceted creative Keith Vlahakis blends a juxtaposition of his skills – street art, illustration, pop art and graphic design, into a hybrid of work that references popular culture and his cultural history. We chat with him about his journey.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your life.

My name is Keith Vlahakis. I’m an Illustrator, Pop Artist, Letterer, Graphic Designer and Street Artist. I like to identify myself as a creative pluralist, I’m constantly chasing the creative high that I get from working on multi-faceted creative projects. I’m inspired by, and influenced heavily by street culture, pop culture, comic books and urban sports. I collect toys, vintage comic books, old sportswear, streetwear jerseys and any form of pop cultural paraphernalia that’s related to my past or that I find inspiring. I spend most of my time drawing and creating in my studio with my cat Rhubarb.

How did you get into your line of art?

I’ve been drawing my whole life, but I really started taking my craft seriously in 1995. I was given an official Marvel Comics Calendar in 95, and I tried to copy all the illustrations in that calendar to make my own posters and decorate/ cover the walls of my room, I consider that moment in 1995 as the inception of my artistic career. School holidays were super boring growing up in the 90s, and I had close to nothing as far as entertainment when I was young, besides reading/drawing comics and watching VHS movies on the weekend if I was lucky. I’m a huge introvert and going outside to hang/play with peers my age didn’t really excite me. The choice was either to waste the days away watching Verimark adverts and Dr Phill/ Judge Judy or to dedicate my life to drawing and making art. I chose art.

I constantly drew and painted as I grew up and experimented with all types of mediums. I studied graphic design after high school and went on to work in the advertising industry for a couple of years. Advertising taught me a lot in terms of marketing, public relations, and how media works. My goal was to win a few awards in the advertising industry, and then use that momentum/buzz to kick-start my freelance illustration career. I won two Loerie awards, 1 for packaging design and the other for hand-crafted typography in 2014, I then left advertising, worked in an illustration studio for like 6 months then resigned again and started my own studio. Thankfully, My studio is doing well and I’ve managed to work on many illustrations and pop culture-related jobs both in SA and overseas. I still work a lot with Advertising agencies, both in SA and abroad, and I have had the opportunity to work on and be part of many international campaigns.

Describe your work in three words.

Neon, Nostalgic and Detailed.

Commissions or your own work?

The sweet balance is when I get to work on a commission that feels like I could have briefed myself on, or that feels like a proactive job.

I’m a firm believer in the notion that, whatever work you put out into the world, people will reference it, and ask you to re-create it or something similar. As long as the content of the job is within my interest, I will enjoy it. This Quote by Confucious has always kept me grounded in my artistic career… “Find a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life”.

How do all your facets of art (street art/lettering/illustration) influence each other?

Street art and graffiti influence my typographic style and vice versa, the handcrafted, and digital typographic work influence street artwork because it juxtaposes the norm. Studying old typographers, and the history of type and font designers made me better at painting letters onto walls because my eye and observational skills got better. The range of letters I can spray paint is super vast because I don’t adhere to the rules of graffiti, or new york styled bubble lettering. For example, I could paint a mural inspired by Art Deco-styled typography and Batman “the Animated Series”, when the super gaudy/ art deco styled letters are sprayed large on a wall it juxtaposes their initial meaning and the so-called “rules” of Graffiti and thus creates something new. Something new to me the creator and something new to the viewer/consumer of the art.

The abstract colour and rebellious nature of street art help to keep my design work fresh and upbeat.

Street/ urban culture has always been at the forefront of contemporary creative culture, as long as I stay connected to street culture and focus on what I love, I know my work will be relevant and stand out in a sea of mediocrity. My obsession with comic book characters and comic styles is a huge juxtaposition to what’s trendy in graphic design or commercial illustration, so it stands out and is unusual in an interesting and intriguing way. I try to look at each difference as a strength, my mistakes and nuances in one field are my biggest strengths in another.

What’s your superhero alter ego?

In a superhero landscape, my alter ego would definitely be a Batman Villain. Either the Scarecrow, Carmine Falconi, The Riddler or Bane. Tom Hardy’s Version of Bane though, not the Bane from Batman and Robin.

Typical day in the life of Keith?

I usually wake up super early, sometimes 3 am or 4 am in the morning on a good day. I run or lift weights first, pray and thank God for being alive and the talent I’ve been blessed with, and then start drawing at like 5 am or 6 am. I try to work on my sketchpad for at least an hour every day or second day, as long as I can carve out time. After I work on my sketchbook I get onto the commissioned work. I prefer the early morning or late night to create, as it’s quiet and super peaceful. Mid Morning to later afternoon I’m answering emails and dealing with clients/suppliers while simultaneously watching NBA highlights or NFL highlights. I Lived and worked in the USA for a while and still gravitate more to American sports and urban sports. The NBA and NBA Africa are one of the “dream come true” clients I get to work with, so I try to stay locked into what’s going on in the league. Nighttime is purely for indulging in and consuming good cinema, with friends or sometimes just me and my cat Rhubarb. I love a good movie or comic book podcast, a few pints of beer or bottles of wine, while something is cooking slowly in the background. That’s basically a day in the life of Keith.

How do you rework and incorporate your favourite characters and add your own artistic flair and style into your designs?

I’m constantly thinking about my favourite characters and how their stories can have a direct influence on my work. It’s all about perspective and I ask myself often, “Would you buy this artwork/product you are creating? Would you wear this garment you’re designing? Have I added part of myself into this work or part of my story?”

A good recent example is the character of the city of Gotham. I had a huge studio space earlier in the year but the building I was in was getting old and started to become decrepit, some super scary, dodgy characters roamed the hallways during load shedding, but instead of letting it get me down, I used the building as a motivator to start drawing my version of Gotham. Frank Miller, one of my favourite comic book writers and illustrators, would use the city of New York as a character in his comics. He would open his studio windows wide open to let in the sound of traffic and police cars, turbulence in the city etc. He would try and add that essence into his noir comics, which then gave them an amazing sense of urban grit and realism. That story always stuck with me and I try to use all the elements around me to help give my work greater depth.

Do you have any cool illustrators on your radar in SA?

Illustrators to watch/ on my radar in SA are Mpumelelo Bhengu and Andrea Liang.

What are your plans for the rest of the year?

I have a huge collaboration with a sportswear giant/brand that I’ve been working on for the last year or so. It’s my Magnum Opus. The biggest collaboration project of my career, blending elements of all my artistic disciplines and interests, that is fashion, illustration, street culture, breakdancing, basketball, typography, storytelling, and underground electronic music. This collaboration will be my main focus and I’m super excited to launch it with the partnering brand.No Spoilers but it’s going to be “Massive”. It’s a dream come true and I’m super excited to share it with the public at large. I will also be working on my comic illustrations, I plan to draw a comic chapter of “Vampirella”, my most recent comic venture, that I hope to share at ComicCon 2024.

Follow Keith on Instagram to check out more of his projects, here.

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International streetwear and sports brand Vans has teamed up with local sustainable brand Mami Wata to celebrate and uplift surf culture through a stylish range of threads and accessories.

With the intention of dressing surf enthusiasts and supports from head-to-toe, Vans Surf is excited and proud to announce its latest collaboration with South African brand Mami Wata – placing an emphasis on South African surf culture, rich history and the pure joy that surfing brings to communities across the country. From sleek shoes to trendy accessories and quality apparel, the curated assortment is designed to embody a lifestyle that revolves around surf, on or off the beach.

Local surf brand Mami Wata – a West African Pidgin term translating to “Mother Ocean or Water”, was founded in 2017 (read more about them, here). Hailing from Cape Town, where they are blessed by the Indian and Atlantic oceans on either side, the brand’s intention is focused on spending diversity and inclusivity in the world of surf. Surf development is a high priority for the team, through supporting South African Surf Therapy organisations such as Waves For Change and Surfers Not Street Children. “Mami Wata’s mission is to offer a different narrative of surfing and Africa to the world and to educate and share the positive effects of surfing with everyone. This season, Vans partners with Mami Wata to deliver a collection founded on these principles and inspired by important cultural moments in Africa’s history,” explains the team on the new collection.

From Zaire’s “Rumble in the Jungle” in 1974 and Nigeria’s “Festac ‘77” to other iconic local music festivals, this new collaborative collection takes the bold and graphic imagery of these cultural events and adds a modern Vans twist, tying back to Vans’ heritage Checkerboard prints, which is known as an iconic pattern for the brand. Vans Authentic VR3 in Mami Wata Cream is the hero of the collection and follows Vans’ strict materials guidelines with one or a combination of regenerative, responsibly sourced, renewable, and recycled materials making up at least 30% of the product.

The juxtaposition of bold graphic details in contrast to a micro-Checkerboard, inspired by hand-woven fabrics popular throughout Africa, pays homage to the past while giving a vibrant nod to the future generations that will live and define African surf culture. The new apparel features a Mami Wata Pullover, short-sleeve tees, a woven shirt, board shorts, and a hat.

The Vans x Mami Wata Collection will be available in South Africa, in line with the global launch, beginning February 16, 2023, at Vans Surf retail locations and the Vans website.

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Twyg announced this year’s Sustainable Fashion Awards winners on 17 November 2022 at the Mount Nelson hotel in Cape Town. Designers and brands were awarded for their implementation of sustainable, ethical, circular and regenerative design.

We chat with award founder and designer Jackie May about the future of SA design and the inspiration behind the awards.

Tell us about how the awards came about.

The concept emerged over a dinner date with two close friends. We were brainstorming how to amplify and extend Twyg’s mission.

What are the criteria for choosing winners?

Each of the 10 categories has slightly different criteria, but essentially we are promoting designers whose work is paving a way for a kinder, fairer, circular and sustainable fashion ecosystem. Our ethos is captured by Twyg’s manifesto which you can find here.

How have you watched design evolve in the past four years?

From the nominations, we have seen a clear shift towards circular design. In our first year, there were very few brands working with waste and upcycling. The focus then was mostly on quality, slow fashion and trans-seasonal design. Although these criteria are still very important, we have seen incredible progress in the use of circular design techniques.

I think that storytelling has also become more interesting and relevant. You can see evidence of this in Cleo Droomer’s work.

Has your criteria for the awards evolved with the change in design trends?

We continue to refine the process. Last year, we consulted with Eco Standard South Africa to improve the entry form. This year we had a new jury. Besides the criteria listed on the website, the judges use a rubric for the judging. This rubric looks at 1) fashion qualities and at 2) sustainability.

What are your predictions for the future of design, specifically in South Africa?

We are so well placed to be a global leader in circular and sustainable design. Firstly, South Africans are incredibly resourceful at making do with what we have – and are doing this beautifully. As it becomes increasingly obvious that we need to protect natural resources, reusing and remaking what is already in use should be the starting point of all design. Secondly, designers and makers will continue to shape our fashion ecosystem, not retailers and industrial manufacturers. The stories told by these makers and designers through their fashion and product are shaping and rebuilding our national identity.

The key challenge to solve is how we move forward as a country in a sustainable way while creating jobs. I’m excited to see how designers unlock this conundrum.  

What are some trends you’ve seen in terms of eco/sustainable design?

Besides the circular principles of remaking and reusing, there is a beautiful return to nature – designing with nature, rather than against it – and to understanding the farm-to-fibre supply chain. South Africa is a major supplier to the world of mohair and wool, providing jobs and contributing to the country’s economy. I’m very excited to see how more and more designers use the natural fibres that are grown here. I’m also interested to see how the hemp sector develops and what transpires for the fashion industry.

After a week-long judging process, 27 finalists were selected and 10 category winners were announced on the Thursday evening.

The winners of the Sustainable Fashion Awards are as follows:

Accessory Award: This award recognises an accessory brand that implements ethical labour practices, limits toxic chemicals and uses sustainable materials to create a quality item and considers end-of-life. The winner of this category is PICHULIK.

Innovative Design and Materials Award presented by Polo South Africa:  This award is presented to a designer who has used innovative techniques to reduce fashion’s negative impact and shows commitment to using sustainable fabrics. The winner of this category is Droomer.

Nicholas Coutts Award: This award honours the talented young designer Nicolas Coutts. Nicholas, who beautifully used and explored traditional crafts and techniques in his design, tragically lost his life at the beginning of 2019. This award is presented to a designer who uses artisanal craft techniques such as weaving, embroidery or botanical dyeing to make fashion that foregrounds, celebrates and values the skills of the people who make the garments. The winner of this category is Laaniraani, who wins R10 000 from Nicholas’ family.

Student Award from Levi’s South Africa: This award is presented to a student who has produced a garment or collection that addresses the challenges of sustainability in the most exciting and beautiful way. The winner of this category is Aidan Peters.

Textiles or Mills Award: This award is presented to a South African textile maker or mill that uses natural, regenerative fibres, non-toxic dyes and finishes, and closed-loop systems. The winner of this category is ZURI and IMANI. 

Trans-seasonal Award: This award is presented to a collection, garment or brand that promotes trans-seasonal, multi-functionality and versatile style. The winner of this category is The BAM collective.

Retail Award: This award is presented to a retailer or retailing initiative that enhances sustainability, including pre-loved/gently worn, swap shops, garment rental, and similar activities. The winner of this category is Merchants on Long.

CMT or Manufacturer Award: This award is presented to a ‘cut, make and trim’ factory or manufacturer of clothes or accessories that is socially and environmentally conscious and/or whose business practices are socially and environmentally responsible. The winner of this category is Sparrow Society.

Influencer Award: This award is presented to a personality or think-fluencer who has actively promoted slow, sustainable fashion over the last 12 months and who has sparked relevant conversations. This person has also explained sustainable issues factually and has cautioned against harming nature on social media and other platforms. The winner of this category is Khensani Mohlatlole.

Changemaker Award presented by Country Road: This award, which is not open for entries is presented to a designer whose career has embraced sustainable and circular design practices. The winners with the highest scores in the design categories (Student, Accessory, Trans-seasonal, Coutts, Innovative Design and Materials Award) were judged against the criteria set for the Changemaker Award. The winner of the Changemaker Award who has been awarded R100 000.00 by Country Road is Droomer.

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Historic South African company Aranda’s new Young Basotho Designers Collection is a celebration of heritage and cool, and empowers a new generation of Basotho designers.

Cinephiles may recognise these intricately patterned coverings from Marvel’s Black Panther film, but Basotho blankets – and their maker, Aranda – were a household name with deep significance long before Hollywood came calling. Started in 1953 by the Magni family, and located in Randfontein outside Johannesburg, the Aranda Textile Mill is the oldest blanket, throw and shawl manufacturer in South Africa.

They source raw materials locally and internationally, and spin them into yarns, which are dyed, woven and made into an array of brilliant products. They’re especially known for their range of heritage blankets, including the Ingcawe, a Xhosa blanket traditionally used for burial and initiation; the Umbhalo, a striped blanket worn by the Ndebele people; and, significantly, the Basotho blanket. These are the beautiful, warm and distinctive blankets worn by the Basotho people in the mountain Kingdom of Lesotho.

Now the West Rand business has introduced the Young Basotho Designers Collection to provide a platform for budding creatives to showcase their talent, contribute to the rich blanket-wearing tradition, and tell Basotho tales. This is fuelled by the recognition that they need to enable authentic blanket designs by Basotho youth, for Basotho people. Most critically, all the designers chosen for the project will earn royalties for as long as the blankets sell.

The class of 2022/2023 comes from a variety of design backgrounds, including fashion, interiors and graphic design. They are Ntate Stunna, Material Don Dada, Alice Bereng, Masikane Masike, Khosi Leteba and Mokete Mohapi. Between them, they have created 10 designs in a variety of colours.

Ntate Stunna, aka MegaHertz, is a Lesotho-born rapper, songwriter, cinematographer and record producer, whose sound is a mix of trap and famo, a type of accordion music that originates in Lesotho. His blanket, Manoti a Koriana (Accordion), is inspired by his love for traditional music, hip-hop and fashion.

Material Don Dada (Tshepo Pitso), a fashion designer, 3D designer, model, video editor, cinematographer and entrepreneur, has created three blankets: Lipere tsa Pitso, Lerato la Basotho and Lithota. Lerato la Basotho translates to Basotho Love, which the designer explains is as “beautiful as the shining stars, a light that shines throughout and provides warmth”.

The Bodulo blanket is the work of interior and furniture designer Khosi Leteba. Born and raised in Durban, Khosi’s designs pay homage to Lesotho, the land of his origin. Inspired by a Basotho mural art called Litema, the blanket tells the story of the Basotho people’s traditional lifestyle. The people are represented by the iconic Basotho hats; the mountains depict the landscape of Lesotho; and the horses show the primary mode of transport used between the mountain villages, where people make a living through subsistence farming (represented by the crops).

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Two iconic local brands have combined forces to create a summer range of beachwear that fuses fashion and design. Cara Saven Wall Design and Beachcult’s new collab is set to turn heads on the beach this season.

Beachcult is uncompromising when it comes to fit and being comfortable while enjoying the sun and wanted to add an element of tropical cool to their custom pieces. The layered collection features bold, leafy prints that can be mixed and matched to suit different occasions and moods. The luscious collection comes in three separate colourways and the pieces are produced locally and sustainably in small batches by South African makers.

Joanna headily of Beachcult and Cara Saven found the collaboration a no-brainer. “We just seemed to be on the same page from the beginning, ” said Hedley. Saven adds “Joanna and I work very similarly in that we don’t overthink things. We have a vision, we hit it and we move forward.”

“Joanna and I worked together in the most seamless way. We had a rough idea that we wanted the range to be tropical and fun and playful and not too serious,” elaborates Cara. “We also played around with the placement of the various tropical elements on different items and found the ones that worked best on larger items like kimonos and which worked best on skimpier swimsuits. I love the direction that Dolce and Gabbana have gone – this is a Cape Town version.”

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Scotch & Soda opened their flagship store in Sandton City on the 15^th of September 2022 and celebrated on Thursday 6 October, with a lavish launch party boasting the best-dressed and most glamorous names in Johannesburg.

The launch took place in the new 220 square meter store, which showcases the brand in a very impressive manner. From the modern façade, to the intricate interior details – the store is a fashion statement on its own. The interior carries Scotch & Soda’s “Free Spirit” in-store design concept, launched in March last year. Inspired by the power of self-expression and liberal thinking of Amsterdam, the city where the brand was born, the concept mixes warm colours with sleek furniture and design – connecting the expected with the unexpected.

The glass façade is adorned at it’s centre with green tiles featuring the brand’s new logo, which embraces the symbol of unity at the heart of Scotch & Soda’s name: an ampersand following the delicate movement of a thread attached to the eye of a needle, a nod to the craftsmanship that goes into the brand’s collections.

Satin Bomber Jacket

Printed & Belted Satin Blazer

High Five Slim Fit Jeans

On the night, guests were welcomed with signature cocktails designed and inspired by Scotch & Soda’s new Summer ’22 collection, with branded ice reflecting the iconic ampersand logo. The colourful and tropical flavours featured in the cocktails are mirrored through Scotch & Soda’s feel-good high summer mood, uniting retro-inspired prints, tropical artworks, sun-bleached colours and surges of brights with the brand’s signature styles. Amplifying the in-store mood, Sona, DJ & Black Coffee’s son spent the evening on the decks bringing the best beach club beats – transporting the guests to sandy shores with a high summer energy.

Oversized Shirt

V-Neck Striped Chunky Rib Cardigan

Structured Tailored High-Rise Short

Among the stirring names that attended the event, were local tastemakers, South African celebrities and TV personalities such as K Naomi who looked exceptionally striking in this season’s must have tiger print satin blazer paired with jeans. SA style award winner Melody Molale was ethereal in her paradise pink ensemble showcasing Scotch & Soda’s feminine tailoring seamlessly transitioning day into night.

Denim Trucker Jacket In Organic Cotton

ELVIS CAPSULE – Relaxed-Fit T-Shirt With Artwork

Dean Loose Tapered Jeans In Organic Cotton

Digital creator Sinqobile Tusani channeled a summer attitude in crisp whites and nautical beachy blues while actor Zamani Mbatha captured the power of self-expression with a rock’n roll attitude in a denim jacket and jeans as well as fellow actor Kat Sinivasan who wore a varsity inspired wool and leather baseball jacket, a nod to 50’s youth.

Wool College Jacket

The night was interspersed with delectable Dutch inspired canapés reinforcing Scotch & Soda’s proud heritage and celebrating the free spirit of its birth city, Amsterdam.

Endlessly optimistic, the brand champions individuality, authenticity and the power of self-expression to create the unique – an attitude reflected in its designs. The Scotch & Soda collections include menswear, womenswear, and for the first time in South Africa, kidswear.

To shop or for more information, visit scotch-soda.co.za.

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Online retailer Superbalist has joined forces with Joburg-based visual artist Lulama Wolf for a fashion and homeware range called EDEN, celebrating land, love and life.

The first-ever collab with a globally renowned artist, the concept was to marry art and design with pieces that are aesthetically beautiful and functional. Bringing South Africa’s beauty under the spotlight, the themes revolve around bold, abstract prints, statement shades, and neutral, earthy tones with a contemporary edge. 

Lulama Wolf’s organic designs not only reflect the African landscape but also tell a story of being a woman of colour and the purpose of identity, perspective and creative expression. 

READ MORE: Karabo Poppy X Woolworths Heritage Collection Shot By Celeste Jacobs and Savannah Feeke-Fortune

The EDEN Collection, available exclusively on Superbalist, transports us back reminding us of the beginning. “EDEN encompasses the idea of the joy of life and the gift of the earth and land – being a verbal, sonic and visual idea of all that is important to me. Feelings of joy, nostalgia, ease and softness come through in the collection,” explains Lulama.

“I love every silhouette in this line of clothing and homeware, and that the pieces can stand individually and be uniquely styled for every wardrobe,” says Wolf.

Superbalist intentionally asked Lamuma to be the first collaborator as they felt her values, ethics, story and morals aligned with the brands.

“Superbalist is a proudly South African brand and believes in supporting and collaborating with local creatives and entrepreneurs, which is why this collaboration is so special,” says Zubair Noor, Superbalist’s Chief Marketing Officer.

“Lulama is one of South Africa’s most authentic, inspirational creatives, with a great sense of style and aesthetic that is visible in all of her work. These characteristics make her the perfect fit for Superbalist’s first major collaboration with an artist,” adds Noor.

The fashion collection comprises dresses, skirts and blouses with something for everyone including bold prints and minimal earthy tones. The homeware range boasts home décor pieces that stand out boldly, including rugs and cushions.

Shop the collection, here.

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A cool new collaboration by Karabo Poppy X Woolworths celebrates heritage and our diversely rich South African Roots. We chat to Photographer Celeste Jacobs and Creative Director Savannah Feeke-Fortune about the design process behind their striking shoot for the range.

Tell us a bit of background about yourselves.

Savannah: I was raised in the Cape but I currently reside in Joburg. An interesting by-product of the last few years is people’s willingness to collaborate cross-country, so as much as I am here in Gauteng, I feel no distance or dissonance with creatives elsewhere – even across our borders. I recently set up my Friends and Family agency. This is not an exercise in cronyism or nepotism, but there is something to be said in working with people I trust – and there is no one I trust more than my friends and family within the creative sector. There is an innate shorthand that also expedites projects and tasks that is priceless. 

Celeste: I’m a Kimberley-born, Cape Town-based editor, writer and photographer, with a background in psychology. My images celebrate nostalgia and embrace sentimentality while pursuing spaces that evoke a sense of calm in a fast-paced world. I’m a self-taught photographer who specialises in 35mm and medium film.

Tell us about what the collection is all about?

Savannah: Karabo ‘Poppy’ articulated it best, when she spoke about the visual aesthetic that is so unique to Africa, and how the collection conveys this through its own aesthetic of constant innovation and hybridity. It’s about celebration and preservation in a keenly South African way. 

What was the brief for the shoot?

Savannah: To show that home is where the heart is – physical environment can be barren and without any of our preferred comforts, but the presence of those we love is really all we need to change a space from strange to structured.

Celeste: Essentially to capture the Karabo Poppy x Woolworths collection. I knew we wanted to capture the images in a way that speaks to Karabo’s collection and that heroes the feelings that family and a sense of belonging evoke. We did this in a subtly surreal way – creating a home in a natural, but stark environment – but filling it with what actually matters and what actually binds us together.

How do you feel you encapsulated Heritage through your shoot?

Savannah: As a coloured woman, Heritage Month is usually tinged with a sense of the bittersweet. I am acutely aware always that it’s a fine line between cultural appreciation and celebration, and appropriation. It is an intentional commitment to giving flight to others without setting down patronising parameters based on our own internalised prejudices. From the moment the designs were briefed into Karabo, I ruminated on what would be a universal South African message that could speak to all of us. The images my subconscious flung at me were all immersed in the sense of home – a pink door, a blue comb, the faces of those I love dearly. Ultimately, those informed the shoot and became the foundation for the entire theme.

Celeste: I think when you work with an artist whose work is so much of a celebration of our continent and the people of our continent, combined with the sense of unity that the collection represents and the energy on set, that feeling comes through. It’s there in moments that feel tender between loved ones, the intention behind the work and the courage that goes along with that.

Did you have any other ideas before you decided on this one?

Savannah: Sometimes life is a lighthouse – without even realising it, your inspiration comes without any kind of concerted thought or effort. This is one of those times. The first idea was the only idea, and also turned out to be the best one. 

What was it like working with such an esteemed SA designer and brand?

Savannah: I feel blessed that Karabo chose me as her manager and constant companion. I am able to bear witness to the unqualified love and care with which she approaches every partnership, and I bask in the associated sunshine that comes from this positivity. What made it even more wonderful wasn’t simply the fact that we were collaborating with an industry giant like Woolworths, but that their team matched our enthusiasm at every juncture. It was a true collaboration in every sense of the word.

Celeste: An absolute honour. Karabo is just so incredible and somebody whose work I’ve always admired and respected. Woolies is also just such an iconic brand. The collaboration between two powerhouses and at that scale is something to behold. I felt the magnitude of it for sure! I also really value the trust that comes from shooting film – particularly now in the commercial sense – I can’t show you the shots while I’m taking them. The trust in that process meant the world to me.

What was your favourite part of the shoot?

Savannah: That the shoot was framed within family, and that I took part in it with my actual family. How amazing to work with a team of meticulous, inspiring people, and to be awed by the knowledge that this is my family. I am overjoyed to participate in an experience that shows the world just how many amazing people we each know – and I now have a phenomenal photo shoot with my incredible mom to show off! 

Celeste: The entire process was truly special – I think seeing it brought to life and following through on the intentions set made each aspect so meaningful. Everyone involved in making it happen also just added to the experience and elevated the project with their skills – super thankful to have been a part of such an amazing team.

Do you have a favourite shot?

Savannah: I have two: 

I love the dichotomy of the photo of my mom, where she is standing with the pink door and the misplaced chair and lamp. There is something extremely stylised about it, but at the same time, the familiarity of the deep connection to my mom gives it a normal and natural feel. It echoes the concept of the matriarch – a familial role that exemplifies both structure and sanctuary, offering a place of safety but within discipline.

The second is the picture of Karabo and Zara. You know the trend of writing your younger self a letter, with words of wisdom and advice learnt after years of experience. With this picture, I tried to make that conversation more reciprocal. I styled Zara’s hair based on how Karabo wore hers as a child of a similar age, so the photo is almost Karabo with her younger self – the Karabo of now is protective of the innocent child she once was, and Zara as her younger self brings a playfulness and pride of her older self to the photo. 

Celeste: I loved the shots of Karabo, her brother Lebo and her Dad. I could feel the genuine love and respect they have for each other throughout the day – it was really beautiful to witness.

What advice do you have for any up-and-coming young photographers wanting to get into the game?

Celeste: Everyone has their own approach – but I think even if you go slower, start small or need to pause for a bit – put one foot in front of the other. Don’t be afraid to pursue something if it matters to you – just take a route that makes sense at the time. Also, don’t be an island. There’s so much value that comes from a sense of community and collaboration. Find people who share a similar vision or values – and enjoy the process together.

Future plans?

Savannah: I want to continue to pour myself into projects that fill my cup. I want friends and family to continue to be a place that feels familiar and like home. This means creating a space that is mutable enough to invite innovation without losing the sense of refuge that we have established.

Celeste: In a nutshell – to keep writing, shooting, loving and resting with intention. 

Credits

Models: @karabo_poppy, Mr Moletsane, Lebo Moletsane, Wilma Feeke, Zara Jacobs, Mackenzie Chamberlain | Collaborating Artist: @karabo_poppy | Agency: @friendsandfamilyagency_ | Creative Director: @savannah.feeke.fortune | Photographer: @_celestejacobs | Producer: @a.typical.millennial | Stylist: @durand.tania5 | Hair and Makeup: @unswayedbeauty

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