Hot off the fashion runways, here’s a look at the cross-cultural fusion of African designers overseas. The following pages explore fashion as cultural diplomacy; the designer pieces not only contribute to current global trends but also challenge stereotypes allowing for a broader understanding of heritage, history and innovation.



Photography: Manelisi Dabata ; Assistant: Bokang Khuto | Styling: Deneal Van Wyk | Hair &amp; Makeup: SnehhOnline Beauty | Location: Houghton 1938, Johannesburg



TIA ‘TIMA REECE’ HERMAN Performing Artist, Singer/Songwriter, Vocal Producer, Vocal Coach



<div class="wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="701" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2298-Recovered-701x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64078 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2298-Recovered-701x1024.jpg 701w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2298-Recovered-206x300.jpg 206w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2298-Recovered-768x1121.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2298-Recovered-1052x1536.jpg 1052w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2298-Recovered-1403x2048.jpg 1403w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2298-Recovered-scaled.jpg 1754w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 701px) 100vw, 701px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
TIA WEARS:



Gold Statement Earrings; ZAR480/$27, House of Ayi Pink Peony Corset Dress; ZAR21,999/$1,207, Nolanga Made Gold Oval Bracelet; ZAR1,000/$55, House of Ayi Poppy Red Tote Bag; ZAR8,490/$466, Tory Burch, Preview Designer Collection Black Heels; ZAR5,290/$290, Europa Art
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KURT HERMAN Music Producer, Mixing and Mastering Engineer, Singer/Songwriter


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="871" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2364-Recovered-871x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64080" style="width:432px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2364-Recovered-871x1024.jpg 871w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2364-Recovered-255x300.jpg 255w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2364-Recovered-768x903.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2364-Recovered-1306x1536.jpg 1306w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2364-Recovered-1742x2048.jpg 1742w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 871px) 100vw, 871px" /></figure></div>


KURT WEARS:



Denim Jacket; ZAR15,000/$823, TSHEPO Jeans Purple Knitted Pullover; ZAR3,600/$198, GUGUBYGUGU Denim Jeans; ZAR10,000/$549, TSHEPO Jeans White Sneakers; ZAR3,690/$202, Europa Art


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="638" height="822" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1734699879852-3d8e3456-f9b5-4ad4-a208-da9b5b31ed95_1-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64091" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1734699879852-3d8e3456-f9b5-4ad4-a208-da9b5b31ed95_1-1.jpg 638w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1734699879852-3d8e3456-f9b5-4ad4-a208-da9b5b31ed95_1-1-233x300.jpg 233w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 638px) 100vw, 638px" /></figure></div>


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KURT WEARS:



Printed Suit Jacket; ZAR25,000/$1,372, MAXHOSA Printed Pants; ZAR17,500/$961, MAXHOSA



Brown Shoes; ZAR3,190/$175, Europa Art
</div><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="683" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2590-Recovered-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64083 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2590-Recovered-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2590-Recovered-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2590-Recovered-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2590-Recovered-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2590-Recovered-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2590-Recovered-scaled.jpg 1707w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /></figure></div>



<div class="wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="669" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2660-Recovered-669x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64071 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2660-Recovered-669x1024.jpg 669w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2660-Recovered-196x300.jpg 196w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2660-Recovered-768x1176.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2660-Recovered-1003x1536.jpg 1003w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2660-Recovered-1338x2048.jpg 1338w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2660-Recovered-scaled.jpg 1672w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 669px) 100vw, 669px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
TIA WEARS:



Sheer Dress; ZAR9,800/$538, Viviers Studio Gold Blazer; ZAR28,000/$1,538, Viviers StudioGreen Diamante Bag; ZAR6,990/$379, Karl Lagerfeld, Preview Designer Collection Gold Court Heels; ZAR3,690/$202, Europa Art Gold Oval Dome Ring, ZAR350/$19, House of Ayi
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<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="612" height="848" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1734699889622-fdaa94cb-5643-4675-a613-c41418a72d28_1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64089" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1734699889622-fdaa94cb-5643-4675-a613-c41418a72d28_1.jpg 612w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1734699889622-fdaa94cb-5643-4675-a613-c41418a72d28_1-217x300.jpg 217w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px" /></figure></div>

<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="982" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2957-Recovered-982x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64074" style="width:616px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2957-Recovered-982x1024.jpg 982w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2957-Recovered-288x300.jpg 288w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2957-Recovered-768x801.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2957-Recovered-1473x1536.jpg 1473w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2957-Recovered-1964x2048.jpg 1964w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 982px) 100vw, 982px" /></figure></div>


TIA WEARS:



Printed Blouse; ZAR11,500/$631, MAXHOSA Printed Skirt; ZAR14,000/$769, MAXHOSA Gold Chunky Bangles (each); ZAR1,000/$55, House of Ayi Red Square Toe Heels; ZAR3,490/$192, Europa Art



KURT WEARS:



Black Blazer With Button Detailing; ZAR5,500/$302, GUGUBYGUGU Mesh T-Shirt; ZAR300/$16, GUGUBYGUGU Black Tailored Pants; ZAR1,820/$100, GUGUBYGUGU Black Suede Loafer; ZAR5,490/$302, Europa Art


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="658" height="851" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1734699897307-45b7b929-0c70-47f9-b628-79c94d4599be_1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-64088" style="width:528px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1734699897307-45b7b929-0c70-47f9-b628-79c94d4599be_1.png 658w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1734699897307-45b7b929-0c70-47f9-b628-79c94d4599be_1-232x300.png 232w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 658px) 100vw, 658px" /></figure></div>

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<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="682" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_3216-Recovered-682x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64076" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_3216-Recovered-682x1024.jpg 682w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_3216-Recovered-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_3216-Recovered-768x1154.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_3216-Recovered-1022x1536.jpg 1022w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_3216-Recovered-1363x2048.jpg 1363w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_3216-Recovered-scaled.jpg 1704w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px" /></figure></div>


KURT WEARS:



Double Breasted Blazer: ZAR5,060/$280, GUGUBYGUGU, Black Shirt, ZAR500/$28, GUGUBYGUGU Black Cargo Pants: ZAR1,456/ $80.4 GUGUBYGUGU, Black Loafers: ZAR2,990/ $165, Europa Art



TIA WEARS:



Black Flower Detail Corset; ZAR18,999/$1,043, Nolanga Made Black Flared Tailored Pants; ZAR1,820/$100, GUGUBYGUGU Gold Tote Bag; ZAR6,000/$330, Tory Burch, Preview Designer Collection White Embellished Loafers; ZAR2,690/$148, Europa Art

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Luxury Holiday Fashion Guide: Africa’s Global Threads

Screenshot 2022-12-13 at 16.06.53

The Aesthetics of Excess: Luxury Fashion Guide And Maximalism Trends In South Africa

Faced with one of the biggest shifts in our work lives, how can we mindfully maintain productivity in our new work environment?



For many, working from the comfort of your own home is a dream come true. You imagine the magnificence of extended sleeping hours and the freedom to incorporate self-care activities into any time of the day. Sounds amazing, right? It is, until it’s time to sit in front of your PC and actually work.



The downside of having a few extra hours to spare (especially the hours we normally use to get to office and back), is that we may succumb to the temptation of comfort – the comfort to binge-watch your favorite show or even upgrade your cooking skills; absolutely anything that has no connection to your ‘real job’.&nbsp; The challenge is to transition your mentality into work mode which may require more effort than anticipated. Perhaps it’s a lot harder to have discipline when nobody’s physically there to remind you of your perennial to-do list.



So, how do you ensure that you remain focused on the task at hand while working remotely? Here are some tips to help kick-start and maintain your productivity in your new work environment:



First things first, establish a morning routine: Set your alarm and get up and pretend as if you’re actually going to the office. Take a shower, it helps increase your blood flow and leaves you feeling energized. Don’t get back into your sleepwear. If you’re still feeling sluggish, try a quick workout or meditation routine to wake up your brain. Drink lots of water, it also helps.



Location is everything: Find a comfortable spot in your home that you can dedicate to your work. Your space should cater to your needs and allow for you to do your work without infringing on other areas of your home, especially if you live with other people. Try and pick an area that has a good source of light – whether natural or artificial. According to Lux Review, good lighting not only allows for pleasant working conditions but also plays a significant role in your health and wellbeing.



Clean space, clear mind: Once you have found your spot, it is important to remove all clutter that reminds you of home chores or entertainment not in line with your tasks. It’s a lot easier to work productively in a well-organized environment as the opportunity for distraction is decreased. A clean space also comes with psychological benefits such as less stress and anxiety which is good for your overall happiness. Who wants to be stressed more when there’s already so much going on in the world?



Get those sticky notes out: Plan for your day ahead of time. The environment may have changed but the expectations are still the same! Put each goal you have for the day on paper. This will allow you to keep track of your workload so you don’t get overwhelmed. Having a schedule allows you to maintain your professionalism. For creatives, this will help so you don’t get carried away with one task.



Phone a friend: Being an employee in the time of Covid-19 means the social benefits of working in an office have been temporarily stripped away. So, it is important to check in with your colleagues and friends, just so you stay sane and feel less isolated. It also assists in keeping you cheerful and motivated to do your work. Be careful to not overdo it as that might distract you.



Take a break: As you would take a lunch break at work, do so at home too. Take a walk around the house, get some fresh air or spend a bit of time with the people you live with. You can also apply the Pomodoro Technique; a cyclical system in which tasks are separated into 25-minute segments, divided by five-minute breaks (with a longer one around midday). This way, you will feel less guilty about wanting a second away from your computer screen.



Don’t forget to log off: Having a structured and productive work day also means knowing when to stop. You should definitely set boundaries for yourself so you don’t interfere with your work-life balance. Log off, refresh and restart tomorrow!

Lucy Nkosi

FORBES AFRICA SOCIAL MEDIA

Luxury Holiday Fashion Guide: Africa’s Global Threads

The Aesthetics of Excess: Luxury Fashion Guide And Maximalism Trends In South Africa

How To Stay Productive Working From Home