Inspired by traditional Xhosa beadwork, Laduma Ngxokolo is a South African textile and knitwear designer best known for his men’s knitwear range. The brand, MaXhosa by Laduma, was established in 2010 with a desire to explore knitwear design solution that would be suitable for the amakrwala (Xhosa initiates) traditional dress required to be worn for six months after their manhood initiation. Having undergone the process, Laduma felt that he needed to develop a premium knitwear range that celebrated traditional Xhosa beadwork aesthetics (patterns, colors and symbolism) using South Africa mohair and wool.
Photos subject to copyright and courtesy of ©Laduma Ngxokolo
As a result of his exploration, Laduma has received numerous awards capturing the hearts of many fashion devotees from South Africa to the Netherlands. He recently won the 2015 Vogue Italia Scouting for Africa prize to showcase his collections at the palazzo Morando Show in Milan, Italy. Laduma successfully transformed tradition and heritage into modern knitwear extending his clothing range to women;s clothing and home décor.
View Laduma’s fashion film, My Heritage, My Inheritance, to delve deeper into his work.
The MaXhosa by Laduma Spring/Summer 2016 collection, Laduma used a pastel colour, black and white and dark contrast schemes. Applying his signature patterns in different application s such as golf shirt zip-shirts, crew-necks and socks. The Mtanom’gquba collection celebrates dark skin tones in contrast with bright hues to elevate the appreciation of colour diversity. The collection captures the beauty of being truly African and proud in a modern context that seeks an eternal way of communicating culture through fashion. In three words, Laduma describes this SS16 collection is playful, exotic and uniform.
Find Laduma on Twitter, Website, Instagram and Facebook.
Photos subject to copyright and courtesy of ©Laduma Ngxokolo
Photos subject to copyright and courtesy of ©Laduma Ngxokolo
Photos subject to copyright and courtesy of ©Laduma Ngxokolo
Photos subject to copyright and courtesy of ©Laduma Ngxokolo
Photos subject to copyright and courtesy of ©Laduma Ngxokolo
Photos subject to copyright and courtesy of ©Laduma Ngxokolo
Photos subject to copyright and courtesy of ©Laduma Ngxokolo
Photos subject to copyright and courtesy of ©Laduma Ngxokolo
Photos subject to copyright and courtesy of ©Laduma Ngxokolo
Photos subject to copyright and courtesy of ©Laduma Ngxokolo
Photos subject to copyright and courtesy of ©Laduma Ngxokolo
