Packed for Paris Fashion Week 2025

By Temo Mpodi

Idealised, conceptualised, designed, and packed! Paris Fashion Week has returned, and South Africa is proudly represented. In every space and field, representation matters – and MaXhosa isn’t just flying the South African flag high; he’s igniting the dreams of those who follow, regardless of colour. He is showing the world that international doors aren’t distant anymore – they are right here, waiting for those determined enough to step through them.

This follows in the footsteps of other South African designers like Thebe Magugu, who has also recently showcased at Paris Fashion Week, and David Tlale, who has graced many international runways, including New York Fashion Week, and even opened a fashion store in New York. There are no barriers anymore – hard work, determination, and creativity are the keys to unlocking success, and we see it happening.

MaXhosa Africa’s return to Paris Fashion Week is a stellar one, as the brand is the only African label featured for the second season in a row. The collection is titled Lo Ngu-Mbulelo. An ancient African tradition, Lo Ngu-Mbulelo is an ode to heritage and thanksgiving, deeply connected to the gratitude that ties us to our roots. Umbulelo, meaning “thanksgiving” in Xhosa, is a sacred act of giving thanks – historically expressed through sacrificial ceremonies that usher in prosperity.

The brand carries weight. “In its essence, this collection is about honouring the practice of expressing gratitude for the blessings we have received and for the many cultures and communities that have embraced and shaped us,” says Laduma Ngxokolo, Chief Creative Director of MaXhosa Africa.

Fashion, at its core, is more than art – it is structure, history, and storytelling. Umbulelo serves as a reminder that fashion is a language of appreciation, a creative gift passed down by ancestors. It is also a ceremonial act, paying tribute to those who came before us while expressing gratitude for their guidance and protection. Traditionally, this practice includes the sacrifice of an animal, followed by spoken blessings, prayers, and thanksgiving at a sacred shrine.