MAXHOSA AFRICA, the pioneering South African fashion label helmed by designer Laduma Ngxokolo, has opened a luxurious store in Cape Town.

Since its early days in 2010, the MAXHOSA AFRICA brand has been on a stellar trajectory, rapidly developing into a local design powerhouse.

Now, with the recent launch of a space at the Victoria Wharf shopping centre (a sister store for the existing flagship at Johannesburg’s Mall of Africa), founder Laduma Ngxokolo is taking MAXHOSA to a new level.

Located in the upper mall, MAXHOSA Cape Town ramps up the luxury offering of the Joburg store. Featuring sleek chrome rails for the brand’s signature fashion pieces, and wall-to-wall MAXHOSA carpeting handwoven in KwaZulu- Natal, the space is a brilliant blend of colour and pattern that takes its cues from traditional beadwork and Ndebele graphics.

“We went all out because we wanted to tell a strong story to the Cape Town market, which is an important audience for us as a brand,” Laduma says. “It isn’t the same as Joburg. We wanted to speak to the tourists, to visitors from all over Africa – and we also wanted to tell a story to the Cape Town natives.”

One of the standout elements of the space is a piece by artist Nelson Makamo, whose reputation continues to expand in international art circles. The work has also been reproduced as a woven collaborative piece with MAXHOSA.

“About two years ago, Nelson and I discussed doing a collab,” says Laduma. “We decided to drive to the Lesotho mountains to meet with the best weavers in the country, who work with 100% mohair. Nelson brought a template of the artwork to them, and we ended up working with a single person to realise it. The finished product arrived in Cape Town eight weeks later. When Covid-19 arrived in March, Save A Business approached us to help them raise funds. So we auctioned the piece, and it raised R690 000, which was then donated to save small businesses.”

The designer says the response from Capetonians to the new space has already been fantastic – which bodes well for the latest phase of this inspiring South African success story.

For more information, visit maxhosa.africa.

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MAXHOSA BY LADUMA knitwear’s signature pattern – a celebration of traditional Xhosa aesthetics – has inspired a cushion collection.

Designer Laduma Ngxokolo has long since taken his MAXHOSA BY LADUMA knitwear brand international – his designs are showcased and celebrated around the globe. Now, he is steadily branching into homeware, with a range of cushions added to the already blossoming collection that began with a series of woven rugs.

What Laduma enjoys most about homeware is that it crosses seasons. “I love the fact that it doesn’t restrict me to winter or summer and that it is not as fast-paced as the fashion industry. Every six months we have to come up with a new fashion collection, so I like the easier pace.”

The cushions feature a limited range of colours, combining hues that will easily complement existing decor. “We don’t anticipate that our customers would like to see their fashion items match their homeware!” says Laduma. With plans to expand (think lamp shades, upholstery and curtains), it seems the MAXHOSA homeware journey is only just getting started.

The cushions, costing R1 350 each, are sold at the Johannesburg studio, Mall of Africa, Newtown Junction and online at maxhosa.africa.

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Laduma Ngxokolo, one of South Africa’s most celebrated designers, will be speaking at Business of Design in Johannesburg, taking place from 18 ­– 19 October.

We caught up with him ahead of the conference to find out more about career highlights, collections and what’s next for MaXhosa. 

Your mother taught you to hand-machine knit when you were 16-years-old. Do you think this is where your creative journey started?

Yes, my late mother, Lindelwa Nxgokolo, was a knitwear designer and I am honoured to continue her legacy. She inspired me to be creative and proud of my culture.

What do you love most about creating?

I like creating new ideas every season. The innovation is fascinating and opens up more ideas for future MaXhosa designs.

@akellopatricia striding in #MAXHOSA SS17 matching ensemble. | ?: @jerrimokgofe

A post shared by MAXHOSA BY LADUMA (@maxhosa) on Aug 23, 2017 at 7:53pm PDT

#MAXHOSA SS17 men’s pattern game combo. | ?: @jerrimokgofe

A post shared by MAXHOSA BY LADUMA (@maxhosa) on Aug 19, 2017 at 4:57am PDT

@akellopatricia ? in #MAXHOSA SS17 linen tasseled crew & matching skirt.

A post shared by MAXHOSA BY LADUMA (@maxhosa) on Jul 26, 2017 at 2:10am PDT

Which one of your collections do you feel best represents what you stand for as a designer, and why?

A/W14 still stands as the collection that best represents me because it’s a good representation of the ideology of reimagining innovative knitwear designs for Xhosa natives if colonisation hadn’t taken place. The designs are futuristic and the science in the design interprets Xhosa beadwork.

What’s your biggest career highlight so far?

There are many! One of my best highlights was winning the 2016 Most Stylish Designer Award at the SA STYLE Awards.

What’s next for MaXhosa by Laduma?

The next step is to move into the lifestyle design space. My style is very versatile and can be applied to a lot of design methods.

Browse MaXhosa by Laduma designs at maxhosa.co.za.

*VISI reader offer: Pay only R3 500 instead of R3 950 for the two-day Business of Design conference in Cape Town (11 – 12 October) or Johannesburg (18 – 19 October). To take up this offer, email tracy@businessofdesign.co.za with VISI as the subject. To view the full programme in each city, visit businessofdesign.co.za.

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The Coronation of MaXhosa is a celebration of Africa and the vivid signature print designs that have seen this local brand celebrated all over the world.

Expectations were surpassed at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week for the debut of the Autumn/Winter 2017 collection from local designer Laduma Ngxokolo’s MaXhosa label.

A firm favourite on the local and international fashion scene, Laduma’s collection did not disappoint. Without steering away from the signature pattern and print synonymous with this luxury brand, the debut of The Coronation of MaXhosa was beautiful, ceremonial.

By definition, a coronation marks the occasion where members of the monarchy are crowned. In this case, the range featured wearable garments that one would wear at a Xhosa coronation. Featuring bold colours and geometric prints and patterns, the garments were made to stand out.

The collection had the “laid back and effortlessly cool” effect that Laduma always seems to get right, while simultaneously embracing the Xhosa heritage.

The fact that the range was showcased through simplicity and minimal make-up and styling only adds to its power. With the addition of small tassels, sheer fabric, scarves, berets and MaXhosa printed shoes, this collection is a vibrant ode to the evolution of African style.

For more information and to shop online, visit maxhosa.co.za.

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We decided to scour a few local online shops to find a snug selection of autumn-ready buys – for you and your home – from socks, rugs and throws to kettles, board games and scarves.

Just don’t forget to add the Autumn Issue of VISI to your shopping list too!

1. Msock5 R200, MaXhosa by Laduma

2. Monopoly Mzansi R449, Toy Adventures

3. Tile Print Tassel Scarf R160, Woolworths

4. Cinnamon Scented Candle R229, H&M

5. Chunky Ribbed Throw R550, Woolworths

6. Yellow Step Rug R1 999, Superbalist.com

7. Small Triangle Mug & Saucer R225, Love Milo

8. Handwoven Diamond Pouffe R1 995, Weylandts

9. Zen Kettle in Cotton R1 400, Le Creuset

10. Blackwater Noir MMXII R185, Publik

11. Arikara Scatter R749, Hertex Fabrics at Superbalist.com

12. Honest Hot Chocolate R120, Honest Chocolate at Faithful To Nature

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Last year, the Boomslang in Kirstenbosch Gardens won Design Indaba’s Most Beautiful Object in South Africa. The concept behind the project is for South Africans to vote for their favourite object based on their personal definition of beauty.

The 2016 MBOISA nominees have been picked by 10 of Design Indaba’s chosen cultural commentators.

You can vote online for your favourite, or at the following exhibitions: Rosebank Mall in Johannesburg from 12 to 18 January 2016; Gateway Theatre of Shopping in Durban from 26 January to 2 February 2016 and the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town from 8 to 21 February 2016.

Below is a list of the 10 finalists.

1. Dokter and Misses Kassena Town Cabinets, nominated by Sindiso Khumalo

2. Twenty Journey book, nominated by the Design Indaba team

3. Pea Wasabi Mousse by head chef Candice Philips of Saxon Hotel’s Five Hundred Restaurant, nominated by Veejay Archary and Marisa Holley of Black Africa Group

4. Thabo Makhetha’s Kobo collection jacket, nominated by Emilie Gambade, editor-in-chief of ELLE South Africa

5. Harron Gunn-Salie’s exhibition History After Apartheid, nominated by Aaron Kohn, director at the Museum of African Design

6. Alpha Longboards Board by founder Kent Lingeveldt, nominated by Dillion Phiri, founder and creative director of Creative Nestings

7. Meyer von Wielligh’s Umthi Hanging Lamp, nominated by Lindi Ndebele-Koka

8. Maxhosa by Laduma shawl, nominated by Tracy Lynch

9. Bottle2Build modular low cost building material, nominated by Gareth Cliff

10. See-Saw-Do initiative, nominated by Katlego Maboe

Already chosen your favourite? You can vote online here.

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Looking for the perfect gift? Keep any of these 17 cool ideas in mind this festive season.

1. Breathe 2750 mAh Power Bank R499, M. Craftsman at Superbalist.com

2. Ray-Ban RB3016M 51 Clubmaster R4 290, Sunglass Hut

3. Mongoose 13 Maurice Commuter Bike R4 850, Olympic Cycles

4. Skagen Ancher Watch R2 799, The Handlers

5. Maps Leather Casual Belt Dark Brown R229, Maps X Spree at Spree.co.za

6. Leather Boots R1 300, Kushn at Hello Pretty

7. Tom Ford Noir Extreme Eau de Parfum 50ml R1 265, Red Square

8. Black Block Pinot Noir 2013 R170, Publik

9. Wine Decanter Carafe 750ml R699, Eva Solo at Yuppiechef.com

10. Samsung Gear S2 R4 198, Takealot.com

11. Ikwa’si Zika Bhuti Socks R180, MaXhosa by Laduma

12. Inissia Automatic Espresso Machine with Aeroccino (Milk Frother) R1 900, Nespresso at Yuppiechef.com

13. Chuck Taylor All Star Hi “70s Les Arch” R1 069, Converse at Superbalist.com

14. Textured Polka Dot Tie R499, Trenery

15. Urban classic satchel bag R1 930 (excl. VAT), Urban Africa

16. 14-in-1 Solar Robot Kit R355, Yuppiegadgets.com

17. Victorinox Evowood 14 V2.3901.63 R899, Cape Union Mart

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From cosy blankets to indoor games, here are 10 items to keep you (and your space) feeling snug this season.

1. Iikaw’si Zam Msocki R180, MaXhosa by Laduma

2. A Beautiful Story Throw R749 (130cm x 180cm), Hinterveld at Superbalist.com

3. Pick-up Sticks R99, Wild & Wolf at Superbalist.com

4. Cinnamon Stick Jar Candle R365, Yankee Candle

5. Nespresso Lattissima Touch Automatic Espresso Machine R4 500, Yuppiechef.com

6. Hot Water Bottle With Knit Cover R295, Weylandts

7. Coral Fleece Greek Key Blanket (180cm x 200cm) R129.99, Mr Price Home

8. Nomu Decadent Hot Chocolate R83.95, Woolworths

9. Painterly Print Scarf R699, Country Road

10. Staub 20cm Round Cocotte R1 794, Banks Kitchen Boutique

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February is fast taking over as the most exciting month in Cape Town’s creative calendar.

In addition to Design Indaba, Cape Town Art Fair, That Art Fair and GUILD international design festival, the fashion set will kick off the month with the inaugural South African Menswear Week, the only stand-alone platform of its kind on the African continent.

The event is the brainchild of photographer Simon Deiner and businessman Ryan Beswick. Deiner is no stranger to the catwalk. His company, SDR Photo, has spent the last 14 years photographing over 5000 runway shows throughout the African continent, New York and London.

Guests can expect to see well-known local menswear brands such as Csquared, MaXhosa by Laduma Ngxokolo, Craig Port, and Palse Homme, as well as a slot dedicated to designers from Swahili Fashion Week. There will also be emerging talent on show, such as Rich Mnisi, Lukhanyo Mdingi, and Jenenieve Lyons.

The event will be quite slimmed down as compared to the usual fashion week spectacle. The guest list will be made up of key media and buyers. Limited tickets are available via webtickets.co.za.

South African Menswear Week runs from the 5^th to 7^th of February 2015. For more information, visit menswearweek.co.za.

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15 South African design companies are off to take a bite of the Big Apple, being selected to take part in the Accent on Design section of the NY NOW trade show, which kicks off on this weekend.

Source, the company responsible for the majority of design and craft exports out of Southern Africa, is acting as agent for the South African companies at NY NOW.

Art in the Forest, Ceramic Matters, Design Afrika, Gone Rural, Imiso, Master Wire and Bead Craft, Maxhosa by Laduma, Monkeybiz, Mungo, Ngwenya Glass, Potters Workshop, Togu’Na, Wola Nani, Wonki Ware and Zen Zulu will all be respresented at the show. According to Trevyn McGowan of Source, these are some of the most original, dynamic and authentic products to be produced in Southern Africa at the moment.

Accent on Design has been the industry’s leading resource for innovative, design-led merchandise for over 25 years. To be selected to take part in this benchmark show, an independent selection committee must be convinced that your product is original, creative and authentic, that it makes new and innovative use of materials, that it addresses or solves problems and that it is functional and contemporary. NY Now draws over 35 000 attendees form over 80 countries, and is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the quality and diversity of SA design to the world.

The show runs until 20th August 2014.

For more information, visit source-sa.com or nynow.com.

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