As the lights dimmed and the percussionists performed, Nhlanhla Nciza dramatically appeared on the ramp, in an NN Vintage outfit (her designer line), flanked by two male dancers.
Nciza, a style icon and one half of Afropop band Mafikizolo, belted out Vimba Kanjini from their latest album, Reunited, to the beat of the drums at the recent Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Joburg.
The lights came on and Nciza sashayed the ramp showing off her latest designs, thus re-launching NN Vintage. She was followed by a bevy of celebrities and models wearing her collection aptly named, The Evolution, an eclectic mix of bold bright fabrics from Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi, Kenya and South Africa.
“I tried to create a look that can compete internationally, also mixing it up with sequences here and there,” says Nciza, who was featured on the cover of the August/September issue of FORBES WOMAN AFRICA.
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“It’s an everyday look and I didn’t want to use the vintage look, even though the brand is known for that.”
The designer worked with four seamstresses for the line using materials bought on her travels across the continent as part of Mafikizolo’s music tours. The collection was made up of 34 garments, including a mix of ready-to-wear and high fashion frocks.
Nciza has more news.
“We’re also creating a sub-brand of NN Vintage called Urban Vintage, which will be sold at one of the stores in South Africa. It’s a more affordable range and will appeal to a younger audience.”
NN Vintage had made its debut in 2008 at Audi Fashion Week Johannesburg. The re-launch follows Nciza’s sabbatical creating bespoke outfits for clients whilst focusing on her career as a solo artiste. During this break, she learned more about the African fashion industry, before deciding her next act.
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