1. Maxhosa Africa unveils New York store
South African luxury knitwear designer Maxhosa Africa opened his first store in New York city. The designer showcased his SS20 collection at New York fashion week in 2019. To have achieved this incredible milestone validates the years of intense sacrifice that went into building his brand and paving the way of what is possible for us.
2. Marc Jacobs Guest Edits Vogue Magazine
For the first time in its history, Vogue US invited a guest editor to help curate their December issue. Fashion designer Marc Jacobs was afforded the privilege of working alongside Anna Wintour on this mammoth task. The results can only be described as a breath of fresh air for the ‘fashion bible’; some even questioned whether the famed Editor-in-Chief is preparing to hand over the reins.
3. Victoria’s Secret Show Comeback
Controversial brand Victoria’s Secret made a comeback after a six-year hiatus to host their famed runway show, and brought back some of their most famous models. Candice Swanepoel, Tyra Banks, Doutzen Kroes, Behati Prinsloo and Alessandra Ambrosia all graced the runway in honour of the brand that made them household names. VS was shrouded in controversy due to its lack of inclusivity and diversity, which led to the resignation of the CMO Ed Razek. After a commitment to be inclusive, plus-size and transgender models graced the catwalk in the iconic angel wings.
4. Tyla Met Gala & Grammys
South African superstar and former Glamour cover girl Tyla has had an extremely successful year. Having won her first Grammy for her hit song Water, she attended the Met Gala in a Balmain creation, performed at the Victoria’s Secret comeback fashionshow, won three MTV awards... the list goes on. She recently confirmed she will be performing at the iconic Coachella music festival. We look forward to 2025 for our Mzansi girl.
5. Nara Smith – Trad Wife
Nara Smith is a model, the wife of male supermodel Lucky B Smith, and found herself in the spotlight for her Instagram videos showcasing her love of cooking meals for her family from scratch. She has both delighted and shocked her followers with her carefully curated videos for making things like gum, her own mozzarella cheese and even bread for a toasted cheese sandwich. She has become the poster child for the Trad Wife trend. Not familiar with the term? Short for Traditional Wife, it has the internet divided on what some consider unrealistic expectations for a wife and mother.
6. Eli Saab 1001 Seasons
Lebanese fashion designer Eli Saab hosted a milestone celebration of his brand with a star-studded fashion show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The designer celebrated 45 years of his brand’s success, putting on a mammoth show with celebrities from across the world in attendance. Celine Dion, JLo and Camilla Cabello were headline acts, and actress Halle Berry made her runway debut in the iconic Eli Saab creation she wore on the night she won her Best Actress Oscar, securing Eli his red carpet status in Hollywood.
7. Wicked Première
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande graced the press junkets of their movie Wicked in looks that were as dramatic as the film. The stars showed up and showed off in jaw-dropping designer creations.
8. Zendaya – Law Roach
Zendaya has undeniably had one of her most exciting ‘fashion” years yet. Lauded for her ability to wear almost anything and slay it, she has transcended our expectations with her red carpet and film première looks. Her friend, long-time personal stylist and self-proclaimed Image Architect Law Roach is directly responsible for her incredible fashion moments – including her Dune movie première, where she wore a vintage Mugler suit of armour (which to my understanding has not been worn by anyone else beyond its runway show in 1995), and many more.
9. Mount Nelson 125-year
Celebration Africa’s top designers met beneath 100-year-old palms at the ‘grand old lady’ of Cape Town hotels, Mount Nelson, for the grand finale of Confections x Collections, curated by Twyg. Guests were stunned by previous CxC participants VIVIERS Studio, Chulaap, Wanda Lephoto, Mantsho by Palesa Mokubung, Sindiso Khumalo, MmusoMaxwell, MAXHOSA AFRICA, Lukhanyo Mdingi, RICH MNISI, Lagos Space Programme by Adeju Thompson, and IAMISIGO by Bubu Ogisi, whose collections also inspired creations by Chef Vicky Gurovich that dazzled the lucky attendees there to celebrate Mount Nelson’s 125th anniversary with dancing and live music.
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