WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Inge Prins / Courtesy of Thebe Magugu and the Belmond Hotel

To mark the tenth anniversary of his celebrated brand, the launch of the Thebe Magugu Suite will represent the designer’s first foray into interior design. Tucked along iconic Palm Avenue, the reimagined suite will be an elegant tribute to South African culture, design and art, curated to immerse guests in the Thebe Magugu universe. “Together, the Mount Nelson and I have crafted a space rooted deeply in place and purpose, with a strong commitment to preserving the culture from which we draw inspiration,” says Thebe.

Adjoining the suite, Magugu House Cape Town will open – part concept store, part cultural institute – as a dynamic hub for aesthetic exchange. The new space will serve as both a showroom for Thebe’s collections and a gallery showcasing work by local artists. Following the launch of Magugu House Johannesburg in May 2024, it marks the designer’s first official presence in Cape Town.

Echoing Thebe’s fashion philosophy, the Thebe Magugu Suite will be a sumptuous Afro-modernist sanctuary – sleek yet soulful. Brought to life by StudioLandt, the suite’s design will be rooted in a deep understanding of South Africa, Mount Nelson’s English heritage and the distinct identity of the Thebe Magugu brand. Through considered craft and symbolic motifs, the design will tell a story of cultural dialogue and contemporary identity, creating an immersive environment with unmistakable character.

Set across two floors, the suite with its vibrant palette of green and harvest hues, will feature a striking entry way leading into a characterful lounge and dining area designed for intimate gatherings, a master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, which opens onto a terrace offering sweeping views of the mountain and the Nellie’s palm-lined entrance.

In the entryway, bespoke artworks introduce guests to the suite’s narrative the moment they arrive. Commissioned for Thebe and conceived specifically for this interior, the painting by Mmangaliso Nzuza immediately grounds the space. Lining the stairway, a series of sketches by Lorenzo Plaatjies featuring Royal African Queens, set in hand-carved frames by AOS, continues the layered storytelling into the lounge and up to the bedroom.

In the lounge, hand-illustrated wallpaper – conceptualised by Thebe and StudioLandt and realised by Cara Saven – evokes South Africa’s layered terrain, setting an atmospheric tone. A custom Rugalia carpet echoes the theme in abstract form, with typographically inspired lines and curves.

A curved, sculptural archway extends the story, creating a fluid, couture-like threshold between the lounge and dining room, where a curated selection of pieces and fittings drape the space.

In the dining room, a bespoke hand-knotted cotton rug by Crayon Artel is inspired by the rhebok, native to South Africa and Lesotho. “I loved this idea of the ‘plush’ bone-coloured rug having dark grey ‘hoof-steps’ of a rhebok, as if it ran unbound all over the rug, leaving its tracks – which are crafted in silk,” says Thebe. The lighting pays homage to the designer’s Sotho heritage: “The Mokorotlo Straw Hat is such an undeniable signifier for Sotho culture. Its shape is inspired by the silhouette of Mount Qiloane, and is such a symbol of pride for the Sotho people. I wanted this straw hat to be interpreted as a light pendant, sitting in complete modernity in its sleek futurist outside, yet still holding its cultural integrity with lining its interior with straw.”

Upstairs, texture sets the tone in the bedroom. A textured timber feature wall, designed by StudioLandt and crafted by Len Leiman, celebrates material honesty, embracing imperfection as a deliberate design language. A custom hand-carved bed reimagines the traditional English four-poster as a sculptural statement. Woven textures and carved details celebrate time-honoured craftsmanship while subtly referencing African form and geometry. Cara Saven’s bespoke layered wallpaper suggests distant mountain ranges, its stitched landscapes offering a tactile expression of Thebe’s practice and echoing couture techniques that weave culture, reference and texture into a singular, expressive narrative.

The en-suite bathroom is a focal point of material expression and craft. Brass fittings nod to English heritage, set against custom marble-patterned tiles and hand-stuccoed walls in Thebe’s signature colour. The oxblood-red hue is bold and emotive, lending the space warmth and a quiet sense of ceremony. thebemagugu.com | belmond.com

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WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Supplied

Marking the tenth anniversary of his celebrated brand, the launch of the Thebe Magugu Suite represents the designer’s first foray into interiors. “Together, the Mount Nelson and I have crafted a space rooted deeply in place and purpose, with a strong commitment to preserving the culture from which we draw inspiration,” says Thebe.

Echoing his fashion philosophy, the Thebe Magugu Suite will be a sumptuous Afro-modernist sanctuary – sleek yet soulful. Working closely with the interior design team at StudioLandt, Thebe explores an “Afro-English” aesthetic, artfully juxtaposing British and South African design approaches. This cross-cultural dialogue reveals both contrast and connection, set within the storied walls of the revered 126-year-old Mount Nelson.

Set across two floors, the suite will feature a striking lobby leading into a characterful lounge and dining area, designed for intimate gatherings and evenings of celebration, complete with a cocktail cabinet. The upstairs terrace offers sweeping views of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, and the Nellie’s iconic palm-lined entrance. The colour palette gently transitions from vibrant greens to warm harvest shades, setting a rich and welcoming tone, with terrazzo floors in non-traditional peat and green. A standout feature – paying homage to classic British interiors – is the hand-sketched wallpaper, which presents a reimagined panoramic view of a Southern African landscape, carrying guests from the rolling hills of the Midlands to the dramatic cliffs and vibrant flora of the Cape. “Textures in this space are stone and timber, to give the impression that designs are of ‘the earth,’ and thus can be given back,” notes Thebe.

This immersive environment will be enriched with ceremonial, hand-carved furniture and a curated selection of rotating artworks from Southern Guild, beginning with paintings by acclaimed artist Mmangaliso Nzuza. Other influential artists within the suite include Lulama Wolf, Zandile Tshabalala, Banele Khoza, Lorenzo Plaatjies, and Trevor Stuurman.

Adjoining the suite, Magugu House Cape Town will also open – part concept store, part cultural institute, forming a dynamic hub for aesthetic exchange. Following the launch of Magugu House Johannesburg in May 2024, this project marks the designer’s first official presence in Cape Town, with Mount Nelson chosen as his creative home in the city.

The curated atelier space, co-created with StudioLandt, will serve as both a showroom for the designer’s collections and a gallery showcasing artworks from some of the most sought-after artists, celebrating the sophistication and nuance of African creativity. “It is a space where the past, present, and imagined future of Africa exist in dialogue – an intersection of heritage and innovation. Each detail, from materials to layout, will reflect my ongoing commitment to elevating African narratives with a contemporary lens; a philosophy of Afro-Modernity,” says Thebe.

Confections x Collections (CxC) Returns

The highly anticipated collaboration is born out of Confections x Collections (CxC), an annual celebration of Pan-African fashion curated by sustainability platform Twyg. The initiative debuted in 2022, with Thebe Magugu as its inaugural designer. Now a staple of Mount Nelson’s cultural calendar, this year’s fourth installment of CxC marks a significant evolution with the launch of the designer’s landmark project, making history at the hotel while unveiling his latest Spring/Summer 2026 collection on his tenth anniversary. thebemagugu.com | belmond.com

The Thebe Magugu Suite will be part of Belmond’s Signature Suites and Villas and will be available to book from December 2025. Magugu House Cape Town will be open to the public from the 10th of November 2025, while Confections x Collections will take place from 6 – 8 November 2025.

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WORDS Gina Dionisio

This year Cape Town Furniture Week and VISI introduced the Design Prize, an award for acknowledging and celebrating new design that advances the contemporary furniture and homeware industries in South Africa.

The 12 shortlisted entries were on display on the 2nd floor of the LEMKUS building at the corner of St George’s Mall and Waterkant Street. Finalists include Anatomy Design, Bronze Age, David Krynauw Design, DEFT Studios, Hoi P’loy, James Mudge Furniture Studio, Jarvis, Kino, Meyer Von Wielligh, OKHA Design Studio, Studio Kalki, and White Sheep Studio.

The judging panel included VISI editor-in-chief Steve Smith, Lebo Kekana, Ashleigh Killa, Roddy Clarke, and Cape Town Furniture Week‘s Aimée Pearson, with the winners of the Design Prize announced at a private awards event for the industry:

CTFW x VISI Design Prize

Winner: Dune Pendant Light by Bronze Age

CTFW x VISI Design Prize – Authenticity category award

Winner: Janis Collection by Anatomy Design

CTFW x VISI Design Prize – Advancement category award

Winner: Shard of Light by Hoi P’loy

CTFW x VISI Design Prize – Design category award

Winner: SP002 by Jarvis

Best Display at Cape Town Furniture Week 2025

Winner: Weylandts x Thebe Magugu window display (in collaboration with Sanri Pienaar)

Best in Show at Cape Town Furniture Week 2025 (by public vote)

Winner: Vitalli. x Nina Lieska

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WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Supplied

Weylandts‘ striking new collaboration with award-winning designer Thebe Magugu is the result of months’ worth of ideating, designing, and crafting, and marks a bold step for both brands.

The centrepiece of their latest collaboration is a bespoke Sofa and Duffel Bag. The sofa seamlessly blends Magugu’s unique aesthetic with Weylandts’ vision of bold, authentic design. The fabric draws inspiration from fashion designer’s heritage and history, taking cues from the unique patterns of the Basotho blanket. Featuring a locally woven jacquard in Cape Town, the corn motifs and twin stitching seen throughout are a subtle nod to the fruitfulness and fertility that collaboration can bring.

Thebe Magugu’s first physical showroom, Magugu House, with its expansive grounds and 1931 residence, served as a perfect canvas to unveil the fruits of the collaboration. Weylandtstudio played a crucial part in curating and contributing to the cohesive design of the atelier when it opened its doors in 2024.

“We are incredibly proud to partner with Thebe Magugu, whose work truly embodies our commitment to design and craftsmanship,” said Anna Weylandt of Weylandts. “Furnishing Magugu House has allowed us to integrate our exceptional pieces into a space that celebrates African heritage and contemporary design. This collaboration underscores our dedication to creating emotive, meaningful living spaces.” Magugu House has served as a canvas to showcase this unique partnership, with plans to extend the collaboration across various projects throughout the year. weylandts.co.za | thebemagugu.com

Weylandts x Thebe Magugu at Cape Town Furniture Week 2025

Weylandts will be hosting an intimate panel discussion with Thebe Magugu at their Castle Street atelier for Cape Town Furniture Week 2025. Anna Weylandt and Thebe Magugu will talking about the inspiration behind their limited edition sofa collaboration and fruitful partnership.

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The new collaboration between Weylandts and Thebe Magugu celebrates African craftsmanship and design.

Weylandts, a brand synonymous with exceptional craftsmanship and design, has unveiled its exciting collaboration with award-winning South African contemporary designer Thebe Magugu. Known for his ability to weave compelling stories through fashion, the LVMH Young Fashion Designer laureate brings a distinctive voice to this unique collaboration.

Magugu House, opened on 11 May 2024 in Dunkeld, is the designer’s first physical showroom. The atelier, set on a sprawling Johannesburg estate, is more than your average store and will host future exhibitions and events. 

The ground floor of the 1930s house is painted in signature shades of pistachio and terracotta and includes a showroom, fitting room, reception room, and two small art galleries. These spaces will showcase the latest instalment of Magugu’s Heritage capsule collection and Weylandts’ distinct range of furniture and homeware.

This collaboration represents a fusion of iconic design and top-tier craftsmanship, emphasising the shared values of both Weylandts and Magugu in promoting authentic African design.

“We are honoured to partner with Thebe Magugu, whose work resonates deeply with our commitment to craftsmanship and design,” said Anna Weylandt. “Furnishing Magugu House allows us to bring our exceptional pieces into a space that celebrates African heritage and contemporary design. This collaboration underscores our dedication to creating living spaces that tell meaningful stories through exceptional craftsmanship.”

Together, Weylandts and Thebe Magugu aim to elevate the art of craft, highlighting the universality of iconic design through the thoughtful integration of space, textile, and ethos | weylandts.co.za.

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From Vans sneakers made for self decorating and a new wellbeing collection by MRP Home to a face cover collaboration between Thebe Magugu and adidas Originals, these are the top VISI picks of the week series – week 362.

1. Vans U-Colour Footwear Collection

International streetwear brand Vans has launched the new DIY U-Colour footwear collection, where you can customise your shoes to suit your mood and style. The U-Colour collection features two different versions of the Era sneaker, one with a blank checkerboard pattern and another with a hand-drawn floral motif. The collection is available at selected Vans stores and Vans retailers.

Images courtesy of Vans

2. Thebe Magugu x adidas Originals Face Covers

adidas Originals has teamed up with renowned South African designer and International Woolmark Top 6 finalist, Thebe Magugu to create a limited-edition face cover, aimed at uplifting school children in his community in Kimberley with limited access to basic needs. The masks, which are inspired by a traditional tablecloth, will be gifted on purchases over R1 000 at the adidas Originals stores in Sandton and at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.

Images courtesy of adidas Originals

3. Pone Creatives Launches New Website

Local textile brand Pone Creatives, headed up by Lesego Maloka, has relaunched its website, showcasing smart ways to use the brand’s locally designed, woven and manufactured jacquard weaved textiles and fabric designs at home.

Image credit: Fiona Macpherson, courtesy of Pone Creatives

4. MRP Home Wellbeing Collection

MRP Home recently launched its Wellbeing collection, featuring five different ranges, namely Calm, Happy, Sleep, Awaken and Balance. Featured in each range, you’ll find a room spray, candles and a diffuser.

Images courtesy of MRP Home

5. Louis Vuitton Cities on Earth

Cities on Earth is a series of books published by Louis Vuitton that explores more than 35 cities across the globe, from New York to Tokyo, through the lens of 14 photographers from the Tendance Floue collective. The photographers track and map out the ever-changing hubs of each metropolis.

Images courtesy of Louis Vuitton

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The nominees for 2020’s Most Beautiful Object in South Africa have been announced.

Forming part of the Design Indaba Festival programme, Most Beautiful Object in South Africa is made up of 10 objects / projects, each nominated by a local industry leader and personality, from artists and performers to fashion designers and film directors.

The winner will be announced at the Design Indaba Festival, running from 26 – 28 February 2020, in Cape Town. Last year, the award went to Houtlander for the design duo’s Interdependence Bench II.

You can vote online for your favourite at designindaba.com. The objects will also be on view at Nightscape, a ticketed after-hours event that is open to the public and forms part of the Festival.

Below, in no particular order are the list of nominees and nominators:

• ‘Zenande’ from Zizipho Poswa’s Magodi series, a ceramic sculpture inspired by traditional African hairstyles (nominated by creative director and GQ’s Best Dressed Man 2018, Seth Shezi)

Image credit: Hayden Phipps

• The hanging Soroban installation at FYN restaurant, a design collaboration between Tristan du Plessis and Christof Karl, inspired by the Japanese abacus (nominated by urban strategist and founder and director of Our Future Cities, Rashiq Fataar)

• Thebe Magugu’s Dawning installation, launched at Somerset House during London Fashion Week, designed to represent South Africa and its Constitution (nominated by performer and creative director of ArteBOTANICA, Manthe Ribane)

• Rich Mnisi’s Nwa-Mulamula Chaise, a tribute to the designer’s late great-grandmother (nominated by fashion designer Lukhanyo Mdingi)

Image credit: Hayden Phipps

• Photographs from Tiaan Nagel’s 19/20 “Remember Who You Are” campaign, inspired by a piece of writing by Ntokozo Mbokazi (nominated by South African-born actress Jodi Balfour)

• A plaster version of William Kentridge’s bronze Open sculpture, which forms part of the current sculpture exhibition at the Norval Foundation (nominated by CEO of the Norval Foundation and former Director of Institutional Development and External Affairs at Zeitz MOCAA, Elana Brundyn)

• Robinson the raffia dog by local brand Chommies, designed to display Chommies’ hand-crafted designs (nominated by House and Leisure editor Charl Edwards)

• The “Delicate Bracelet” by Izandla Zethu African Jewellery. This hand-made design, made from recycled corrugated iron, aims to inspire young people to use their skills to combat unemployment amongst the youth (nominated by artist and activist Blessing Ngobeni)

• Self-portrait by Trevor Stuurman. “The image shows a creative king, someone who represents the progress African artists have made on the world stage,” says film director Sunu Gonera, who nominated the image.

• Githan Coopoo’s sculpted earrings, hand-made jewellery that crosses the boundaries between fashion and art (nominated by textile designer and ethical manufacturer Sindiso Khumalo)

Vote for your favourite at designindaba.com and find out more about Design Indaba 2020 at conference.designindaba.com.

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From a big win for a talented local designer and mesmerising murals to new releases from Le Creuset and Mungo and a new limited-edition chair, these are top VISI picks of the week series – week 298.

1. Mungo’s Sea Foam Dhow Towels

Local textile brand Mungo has added a new colour to its range of light-weight 100% linen Dhow Towels. The hue is inspired by the sea foam that washes up onto the shores of Plettenberg Bay (where the brand’s mill is based).

Images courtesy of Mungo

2. Thebe Magugu Wins the LVMH Prize

Joburg-based designer Thebe Magugu has won the LMVH prize for 2019. The €300 000 prize, complete with a one-year mentorship programme, is awarded by the luxury group to talented young designers from across the world. Thebe is the first designer from Africa to win the coveted prize.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2AQ0JyDHY7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Image via lvmh on Instagram

3. Limited-edition Chair from Feather & Swan

New local brand Feather & Swan has released a limited-edition accent chair in collaboration with artist Dayna-Gay Tate and furniture designer Andrew Dominic. Both the fabric and the chair, made from American Oak, was created especially for the collab. Feather and Swan showcases one design at a time, with only 25 “Victoria” chairs made available.

Images courtesy of featherandswan.co.za

4. Le Creuset Launches Soirée

Le Creuset has launched a brand-new Art Deco-inspired 24 cm Signature Round Casserole, a homage to the 1920s. Drawing on the glamour of the era, Le Creuset has combined its Deep Teal colourway with a gold pattern. It’s available at the brand’s select boutique stores and online.

Images courtesy of Le Creuset

5. Street Murals by 1010zzz

Making use of colour and illusion, Hamburg-based street artist 1010zzz’s mesmerising murals look like portals into unexplored worlds. In an interview with Urbanshit Gallery, on why he uses “holes” in his work, he answers, “Maybe only because holes seem to end in darkness; and that’s what’s encouraging our imagination.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/By42ObOok1Z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByQi_7kAu-9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1jORINI3Sx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/Btvs6TYghTK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Images via 1010zzz on Instagram

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Woolworths celebrated the opening of SA Fashion Week (SAFW) by collaborating with leading local designers as they showcase their STYLEBYSA range.

STYLEBYSA is a Woolworths initiative intent on recognising and celebrating local up-and-coming designers in the fashion industry. The creative collaboration included Rich Mnisi, Thebe Magugu, Wanda Lephoto and Sindiso Khumalo bringing their looks to the South African catwalk.

Rich Mnisi, inspired in part by his mother’s timeless style, showcased his signature, striking designs. Through focusing on process over product, designers Wanda Lephoto and Kabelo Kungwane endeavoured to bring a collection to the stage that showcased a true sense of self and a deeper design objective.

Queue elegant sophistication and gender study-inspired threads, Thebe Magugu‘s designs explored arresting contrasts. Inspired by motherhood and globetrotting, Sindiso Khumalo’s collection focused on bold, yet subtle colours.

Browse the gallery above to view the collections.

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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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