Looking for African-inspired fashion, it’s easy to fall into the trap of only paying attention to the well-known bold prints. At the South African Menswear Week, the 2016/17 Spring Summer collections, local designers reminded us that in addition to these familiar prints, our surroundings are a constant source of inspiration that is no less African.

Lukhanyo Mdingi

Driven by a desire for a contemporary interpretation of our African heritage, Lukhanyo Mdingi looked to celebrate symbols. “With every collection I feel more connected to my roots, not just the Eastern Cape but also Africa as a whole,” says Lukhanyo. “With the Purgation collection I looked to different African iconography. I looked to the South African flag as well as the repetitive geometric patterns typical of Islamic architecture, such as you would find in Morocco. I researched the meanings and history behind both, which in turn informed the print design and the colours.”

Rich Mnisi and Thebe Magugu

Troubled by narrow definitions of the African experience, these two designers and best friends presented an unfiltered interpretation of their own African experiences: “When we started this collection, the nostalgia that undercuts the passing of time held our fascination as we started having a conversation around recontextualisation and how basic staples could be reimagined, fashioned and even considered modern,” the pair announced prior to showing their collaborative collection. “It made us start reading the work of fashion theorists who expand on the theory of ‘the west’ and ‘the rest’. With this in mind, we wanted to create a collection that merges all these ideas of Africanism, modernity and family history together with our own experiences and views of what it was like growing up in an African home.”

Chulaap

Chu Suwannapha is well known for his mastery of prints. Season after season, he presents the more traditional African-style prints in new combinations, designs and styles. “The theme was Tribal Tropical,” says Chu. “It’s the mixed messages of the south, from South America, South Pacific and South East Asia to South Africa. It’s tropical with the realism of tribes. I gave different characters to each of the models, from a warrior to the chief of the tribe. The prints are more op art and graphic than palm trees and floral prints. I chose, for example, African paint stroke prints in blue and white to replace nautical stripes, and African floor mat prints in brown and white to replace florals.” As always, we love his print combinations, but the knitwear blows us away.

Browse the gallery above to view a selection of these talented creators’ bold designs.

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The entries will be exhibited at the SAIA Architecture ZA 2012 Biennale, hosted by the Cape Institute for Architecture in September, in the run-up to the announcement of the awarded projects in October.

Entries for the 2011/2012 AfriSam-SAIA Award for Sustainable Architecture were submitted under two categories — one for built work that has been beneficially (for the purpose it was constructed) occupied from 15 March 2011 and the other for works of social importance, including research.

Three of the built work nominations are for cutting-edge sustainable commercial buildings — The Energy Works in Parktown North, Johannesburg; Pick ‘n Pay on Nicol in Sandton and the Nedbank Ridgeside Building in Umhlanga Rocks, KwaZulu-Natal.

Residential properties among the entries include a house in Lynnwood, Pretoria, by Arca Architects & Designers that anticipates change and future expansion through flexibility; a Lanseria property by Claude Bailey Architects & Designers featuring a backbone comprising a 50m long rammed earth wall; and a Melville house designed by Kate Otten Architects that wraps around a Dombeya tree.

The prestigious AfriSam-SAIA Award for Sustainable Architecture was first introduced in 2009 to recognise and promote projects in the South African architectural arena that have effectively shifted paradigms with place making buildings that are ecologically sustainable and which also uplift the community. The awards reflect SAIA and AfriSam’s commitment to promoting architecture that meets the social, cultural, economic and environmental needs of the people it serves.

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Ambiente Luce are widely represented by agents across South Africa, from Gauteng, to the Free State, Garden Route, Boland, Overberg and Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs.

They recently had an award winning stand at Decorex Cape Town and will be showcasing their products again at the Johannesburg fair in August.

More info: www.ambienteluce.com

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And so, online design and décor store Meekel was born. Launched in November 2011 the virtual shop offers handpicked, handmade South African goods to the local and international market. Jewellery, furniture, soft furnishings, art and everything between – if it’s local and it’s lekker you’ll find it on Meekel.

“It’s a labour of love,” says Kerry who works in graphic design from nine to five. “I focus on the homeware and Bobby (an architect and industrial designer) concentrates on the rest”.

And it’s not just the big names that grace the site. Kerry and Bobby have chosen pieces that speak to them, and won’t necessarily stock items just because they’re made by a well know designer. “The site has a really personal feel,” says Kerry, “we might only stock one item by a certain designer because we hand pick everything instead of just taking entire ranges”.

The name of the site was inspired by Bobby’s mother’s maiden name. “It’s a homage to her, she is a really passionate lady,” which is apt, as it seems Kerry and Bobby’s passion lies with the designs created within our borders. “We love it all so it’s tempting for us to not buy all the items on offer ourselves,” Kerry laughs.

At present items can only be bought in Rands, but Kerry says in the near future other currencies will be accepted too. In the meantime they have kept their approach and aesthetic global, enticing shoppers from around the world to indulge in Meekel’s offerings.

“Although we’re selling South African goods, we wanted the site to have an international feel … so from the name to the logo, we want to show that although it’s African design it is on an international level.” And anyone who has visited the online store would not be able to argue. A beautiful showcase of local design, Meekel is the place to shop, without even leaving home.

More information: www.meekel.co.za

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