At 2016 South Africa Fashion Week, there were only a handful of menswear designers; partly because South African Menswear Week had drawn most of the country’s menswear designers and partly because a mixed showcase seems to always drown out menswear labels in a sea of androgynous dresses. Menswear designer Ephymol seems to have none of that with his 60’s heavy Spring 17 collection.
The label looks to the past for inspiration and seems to settle on the late sixties/early seventies. From the very first model who took to the runway dressed in an all white ensemble embroidered with stylistic flowers, it becomes increasingly obvious that the designer has drawn inspiration particularly from the American black panther movement of the sixties married with the much more colourful blaxploitation movement of the seventies, replete with puffy afros and afro combs.
Ephraim Molingoane, the creative director behind Ephymol studios has worked extensively in the industry, starting out as a model and transitioning into design and his cumulative experience shows. He captures the essence of the sixties perfectly, both in the cuts of the clothing and the references. Vibrant print neckties adorn the bare necks of models in floral print silk shirts with buttons undone. Print suits complement contrast print dress shirts, belted blazers and heavy embroidery sit atop dress pants with contrast elastic waist bands. Molingoane captures the essence of the era so well, He is able to transport us through time with the flash of day glo floral prints.
Photo Credits: safashionweek.co.za
