There’s a new glamour girl clothing range headed for the shops this winter, born out of an exciting collaboration between reigning Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane and the design team from the innovative South African brand Khosi Nkosi.
It’s a marriage made in heaven: Lalela’s singular style has been interpreted into glam girl styles that are, at the same time, true to the Khosi Nkosi look and feel.
It all began with an announcement from Mswane when she was crowned Miss South Africa last year and said she enjoyed wearing Khosi Nkosi, the fashion brand established in 2008 by a marketing and fashion designing duo who do not like being named. The pair won a Young Designer’s competition when their capsule collection sold the most, securing them a spot at Young Designers Emporium (YDE) outlets that exclusively retails Khosi Nkosi clothing.
Mswane said her dream was to design a capsule collection with Khosi Nkosi (the Zulu name signifies royalty). Word got back to the design team who said they would be delighted to work with the new queen.
Mswane got to work on her mood board, coming up with a myriad colours. Her colour chart included shades of cranberry, lemon, grapefruit, apricot, cantaloupe, carrot, coral, peach, salmon and tangerine. Of course there were also her signature fashion preferences including bows, frills, puffs and angel wing sleeves.
When the collection sketches came back, there were 10 exquisite pieces. Black and white accents added some severity to the colourful collection that includes whimsical fringed jumpsuits and miniskirts teamed with pussy bows on softly falling shirts.
The collection will stand on its own and be released into selected YDE stores and online this winter.
Says an excited Mswane: “I could not imagine a more beautiful range. It has been designed according to the things that tickle my fashion fancy, yes, but with the natural flair and brilliance of Khosi Nkosi. I am very proud to have my name associated with the brand, and of course, with this collection.”
Khosi Nkosi brand spokesperson Nobukhosi Mukwevho comments: “What an honour it has been to work with Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane. Her love of bows and frills and soft falling fabrics has shaped the way this collection has been designed. The capsule pieces are showstoppers – every one of them. We are thrilled with the outcome of this collaboration!”
Miss South Africa is presented by Weil Entertainment in association with M-Net, Mzansi Magic, Sun International and Brand South Africa.