LOOK: Top trends from the South African Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2023 collections
Johannesburg - The Mall of Africa played host to fashionistas, celebrities and invited guests who converged in Midrand last week, for the first glimpse of local designers’ latest ranges for South African Fashion Week’s (SAFW) Spring/Summer 2023 collections (SS23).
During the three day spectacle, a variety of design elements, textures and tones took shape on the catwalk. Although some of the SS23 ranges were in line with those seen on international runways, many were uniquely African in nature, firmly placing the continent as an authentic fashion destination.
Raspberry Blush
The vivacious shade of coral tinged with pink has been dubbed the colour of 2023 by leading experts across the globe. This electric hue, which is the definition of a charismatic colour, featured prominently on the SAFW SS23 catwalks. It was included in Ephymol’s menswear collection where he paired a Raspberry Blush suit with contrasting shades of yellow. Meanwhile, Loxion Kulca took a more casual approach by incorporating the popular shade into their streetwear, while Erre experimented with the hue for their women’s dresses and matching headwear.
Sheer
The sheer trend has taken over streetstyle and has also been incorporated into formal wear. This style, which advocates for showing as much or as little skin as possible, is a playful way for designers to experiment with fabrics and textures. Rubicon debuted a black sheer ankle-length dress design on the SS23 catwalk while Amanda Laird Cherry took a more playful approach with colour sheer designs for their garments. Belhauzen took a more minimalist sheer approach by adding elements of sheer into some of the sleeves of their garments.
Layering
During a transition to a season, it is essential not only for style but also for durability to wear more than one garment on the lower as well as upper body. This was the school of thought for Vanklan who playfully layered a shorts and t-shirt with a bomber jacket and leggings for their menswear looks. The likes of Ephymol and Loxion Kulca also mixed different garments, fabrics, colours and textures together to present eye-catching layered looks.
Ruffles
Ruffles and flounces remained a fashionable form and have appeared on major catwalks around the world, including in the collections showcased during SAFW SS23. The simple but dramatic component gives an ordinary garment new life and is seen as an antidote to smooth silks and long, lean silhouettes. A well-placed ruffle even does the job of statement jewellery or a good handbag. Local designers such as the Michael Ludwig Studio incorporated the styling element to their dresses, Fikile Zamagcino Sokhulu on the sleeves of their garments and The Bam Collective also added it to several of their designs.