Laduma set to conquer US catwalk
● Eastern Cape knitwear designer Laduma Ngxokolo is coming to America — in more ways than one.
Ngxokolo’s MaXhosa by Laduma clothing line is creating a buzz in the fashion industry around the world — and was given an even bigger boost when he made his debut at New York Fashion Week last week.
The designer, who has launched ranges in several countries including Japan, the UK and Nigeria, showed off his Xhosa-inspired designs to major applause at the show. The theme for his fashion line was “kings and queens” and featured newly crowned Miss SA Zozibini Tunzi and former Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters.
Life has been a roller-coaster for Ngxokolo ever since, and he told the Sunday Times this week he has several other big international projects in the pipeline, but was tight-lipped on details.
According to US publication The Hollywood Report, Ngxokolo’s designs will feature in the movie Coming to America 2, a sequel to the 1988 cult classic — this after Ngxokolo dressed legendary actor John Kani and his son Atandwa Kani for the world premiere of Hollywood blockbuster Black Panther last year.
He also held several pop-up stores and displays in the US last month, including a collection inspired by The Lion King.
“Just before fashion week, our kaftans were in Bloomingdales as part of a pop-up inspired by Disney’s live-action remake of The Lion King, which was organised by Ugandan-German actress Florence Kasumba,” said Ngxokolo.
A day after exhibiting at New York Fashion Week, Ngxokolo collaborated with NBA All-Star superstar Carmelo Anthony on products that will be released worldwide in November.
His designs have inspired the likes of singer Beyoncé, who featured his creations on her website in 2016. His clothes have also been worn by award-winning US superstar Alicia Keys and her husband Swiss Beatz.
Ngxokolo said the endorsement from Beyoncé had opened several doors for him.
He was invited to showcase at the fashion week after undergoing a stringent selection process by the fashion week’s committee, which looked at the brand’s popularity and consistency and the designer’s skill.
Fashion week is among the most prestigious such events in the world and this year attracted celebrities including Priyanka Chopra, Emily Ratajkowski and Gigi Hadid.
Ngxokolo has been fascinated with Xhosa prints and textile designs since he was a boy and said the concept for his MaXhosa by Laduma clothing line came when he had to choose a design project for his BTech degree at Nelson Mandela University.