Designer: Mzukisi Mbane
Photographer: Dylan Louw
Female Model: Carine Nguz
STATEMENT FROM THE ARTIST: MZUKISI MBANE
Imprint A/W 2016 - Harboring Hope
Haboring Hope is a collection inspired and dedicated to changing and challenging the concept of menswear and the meaning of being a man in Africa presented in a very beautiful, calm and less dramatic way.
Last season we started on a journey, creating gender bending looks. Also referred to as unisex. Inspired by the woman who gave birth to us all. This season we are still on that same gender bending tip. But this time inspiration is taken from various cultural group as well as religious group. Translating this in a more edgy, futuristic and clean way.
I found myself having this freedom. I got taken to a place where creativity was basically limitless. I became free to challenge the very idea of what menswear is (to the society). How it is suppose to be constructed, the silhouettes and well which lines to cross. In this collection you see me playing around with a lot of geometric shapes. Most shapes taken from a deconstructed a - line skirt. I also found myself challenging and exploring the terms oversized and fitted.
With that being said this collection is rather peaceful and calm. The colors used (white and African print). I wanted to tell the story of believing in your dreams and who you are from a different side. A side where you don't have to fight. Aside of beauty and peace.
"Hope on bravely"
