As part of the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Johannesburg, the Africa Fashion International hosted a ‘Fast Track’ show that allowed emerging designers showcase capsule collections.
Elly Setshego Maswanganye is one of the ten designers who showed. And given the limitations of showing a capsule collection, Maswanganye hit it right out of the park.
Choosing earth tone elements that suggested a utilitarian vibe, the designer managed to string together a cohesive six look collection that employs superior tailoring and exquisite styling to perfectly represent the aesthetic tastes of different demographics. He takes the canvas straps and clasps from knapsacks and re-purposes them, working them as belts and detailing on running shorts. He offers a mini kimono in forest green and exaggerates sweaters, layering them over tailored dress shirts.
Even when he tackles pedestrian items like the long t-shirt and the poncho, Maswanganye is able to take it from everyday staple to luxe outerwear. He creates a poncho with an restrained cowl neck, finished with a wood button closure and large midi sleeves and adds pockets to his overlong shirt, holding the entire contraption together with bag straps. The entire collection feels ultra-modern without being inaccessible and that is a line very hard to straddle.
Maswangane’s first full length collection will be one to watch out for.
Photo Credits
Simon Deiner/SdrPhoto
Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Johannesburg
Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa.
