We love supporting and celebrating our local designers. We cheer them on from the front rows of various fashion weeks across the country, source and mentor young talent and make the hottest items around accessible to every household in South Africa.
And we're not alone. From Vogue to the Kardashians, the world is starting to sit up and take note of the incredible talent coming from every corner of our eclectic country. Strangely enough, these achievements often go unnoticed; a brief footnote in a bio or a quick Instagram post that gets lost in the social media sphere. Well, not on our watch.
Our designers have dominated Italy...
And most of Europe, for that matter. The fashion world recently mourned the loss of Vogue Italia Editor in Chief Franca Sozzani, a legendary stylist who committed herself to shining a spotlight on fashion from various African countries. An extensive trip around Africa introduced her to our wealth of talents, and soon the likes of Sindiso Khumalo, Adriaan Kuiters X Jody Paulsen, Lukhanyo Mdingi and Nicholas Coutts graced the catwalks of Milan. Just last year Rich Mnisi, Celeste Arendse of womenswear label Selfi and streetwear brand Young and Lazy made headlines when they showcased in London. And as for King David Tlale? He chose Paris, darling, as he has made regular appearances at New York Fashion Week.
Been featured in basically every fashion magazine that counts... Where to start? The foreign press adore our designers, and rightfully so. Rich Mnisi has been featured by the epitome of cool, Dazed and Confused Magazine, as well as Vogue Italia. Tamara Chérie has dominated the pages of Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire and Elle. I-D magazine can't get enough of Lukhanyo Mdingi, and design duo Klûk CGDT have featured in French Elle, American Vogue and Harper's Bazaar.
Anna Wintour has even name dropped an SA designer...Albertus Swanepoel, milliner extraordinaire from Pretoria, was named a talent to watch in Anna's editor's letter. Albertus, a Spree Boutique alumni, has made hats for the likes of Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger, Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang and Diane Von Furstenburg.
And one international designer was so blown away that he asked Thula Sindi to stick around...
Thula Sindi met design legend Valentino while showcasing in Rome. He was invited to view his private atelier - a truly rare honour.
And if it's good enough for a Kardashian...
Or a member of Destiny's Child. Yep, Spree Boutique Designer Gert-Johan Coetzee has dressed the likes of Kourtney Kardashian and Kelly Rowland. Locally, only the most glamorous celebrities wear GJC originals – think Bonang Matheba, Lira, Pearl Thusi, Black Coffee, Thuli Madonsela and Minnie Dlamini.
Or a Queen of a country...
Like, actual royalty! Queen Maxima of the Netherlands chose to wear Mille Collines on a diplomatic trip to Indonesia and looked low-key spectacular.
Or the Queen of the Universe...
That would be Beyoncé, of course, who was spotted in another Spree Boutique brand, Kisua. (We were dead serious about treating you guys to clothing fit for a Queen) And let's not forget her sister Solange's love affair with all things local: when she came to Cape Town to film the music video for her hit single 'Losing you' she couldn't resist buying pieces from Pichulik and Loin Cloth & Ashes.
And let's not forget about our photographers...
You guys know by now that our seasonal campaigns bring the heat, but did you know that the man behind the camera also shoots the likes of Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Grace Coddington and Kanye West? Meet Ulrich Knoblauch, a Cape Town photographer who travels to Fashion Weeks around the world and shoots backstage portraits for the likes of Givenchy and Rodarte.
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