As a new mother, Sindiso Khumalo’s collection was guided by one cardinal rule, comfort. It is obvious in the lines and silhouettes she chooses, flattering a-line shift dresses with wide sleeves, capejackets and boxy blousons that conceal just as much as they flatter.
Drawing inspiration from the tradition dress forms of the Venda women of South Africa, the designer’s home country, the British based designer also drew inspiration from the detailed bead work of the Zulu women of Africa for her prints. Speaking on the process behind the collection, the designer said;
”With the arrival of my son, now 20 months ago, I became fascinated with this idea of what we create and what we leave behind when we bring life into the world. Whilst working in my studio, white on white handprints began to represent the idea of memory, the life before the new life held within a print. Whilst bright dynamic digital prints began to speak of a the new life that was created after birth. “
Different textile making techniques are explored in the new collection, which is distinguished by the designer’s art-pop approach to colours. Fabric is flocked with contrasting colours to create a colour block effect and foil techniques used on the pieces to give them a three dimensional quality. The end result is an easy to wear selection that stays true to Sindiso’s experimental aesthetics but translates easily in situations off runway.
Everyone says a baby is a reality check, but we’ve never seen that manifested like this. Maybe more designers should have more babies.