Renowned South African fashion designer THEBE MAGUGU will make hisdebut in luxury hospitality design this December at Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, CapeTown, bringing his distinctive Afro-modernist vision to the property. Marking the ten-yearanniversary of his celebrated brand, the launch of the THEBE MAGUGU SUITE represents his firstforay into interior design. Tucked along the iconic Palm Avenue, the reimagined suite will bean elegant trove of South African culture, design and art, curated to immerse guests into thecreativity, storytelling and intellect that has come to define the Thebe Magugu universe.“Together, the Mount Nelson and I have crafted a space rooted deeply in place and purpose,with a strong commitment to preserving the culture from which we draw inspiration,” says Magugu.
Adjoining the suite, MAGUGU HOUSE CAPE TOWN will also open - part concept store, partcultural institute; forming a dynamic hub for aesthetic exchange. The space will serve as botha showroom for Magugu’s collections and a gallery showcasing artworks from the mostsought-after artists, celebrating the sophistication and nuance of African creativity. AsBelmond’s first ever Designer Residence concept, the collaboration underscores MountNelson’s commitment to championing contemporary African culture, while providing aspace for the continent’s next generation of creative visionaries. Following the launch ofMagugu House Johannesburg in May 2024, this project marks Magugu’s first officialpresence in Cape Town – with Mount Nelson chosen as his creative home in the city.
THEBE MAGUGU SUITE: WHERE AFRO-BRITISH DESIGN COMES TOGETHER
Renowned for celebrating African identity and contemporary sophistication – and with hiswork showcased globally from Paris Fashion Week to the Metropolitan Museum of Art –Magugu brings his creative vision to the redesign of one of Mount Nelson’s historic wings.Grounded in meticulous research and guided by a deep respect for African heritage, hisapproach blends cultural preservation with progressive storytelling, capturing the spirit ofSouth Africa’s vibrant landscape and craft.
Echoing Magugu’s fashion philosophy, the THEBE MAGUGU SUITE will be a sumptuous Afro-modernist sanctuary – sleek, yet soulful. Working closely with the interior design savants at
StudioLandt, Magugu explores an “Afro-English” aesthetic, artfully juxtaposing British andSouth African design approaches. This cross-cultural dialogue reveals both contrast andconnection, set within the storied walls of the revered 126-year-old Mount Nelson.Set across two floors, the THEBE MAGUGU SUITE will feature a striking lobby leading into acharacterful lounge and dining area, designed for intimate gatherings and evenings ofcelebration, complete with a cocktail cabinet. The terrace upstairs offers sweeping views ofTable Mountain, Lion’s Head, and the Nellie’s iconic palm-lined entrance.
The colour palettegently transitions from vibrant greens to warm harvest shades, setting a rich and welcomingtone, with terrazzo floors in non-traditional peat and green. A standout feature – payinghomage to classic British interiors – is the hand-sketched wallpaper, which presents areimagined panoramic view of a Southern African landscape, journeying guests from therolling hills of the Midlands, to the dramatic cliffs and vibrant flora of the Cape. “Textures inthis space are stone and timber, to give the impression that designs are of ‘the earth’, andthus can be given back.” says Magugu. This immersive environment will be enriched withceremonial, hand-carved furniture and a curated selection of rotating artworks fromSouthern Guild, beginning with paintings by acclaimed artist Mmangaliso Nzuza. Other influential artists within the suite include Lulama Wolf, Zandile Tshabalala, Banele Khoza,Lorenzo Plaatjies and Trevor Stuurman.
A TRIBUTE TO MAGUGU’S PERSONAL HERITAGE
In the dining area, Magugu pays tribute to his personal heritage, with intricate design details.A pendant light, inspired by the iconic Basotho 'Mokorotlo’ hat, will anchor the space, while
bespoke wooden furniture pieces take their form from the graceful curves of traditionalpottery. These culturally rich touches will be complemented by hand-pleated textilesechoing a cherished memory: his grandmother, lovingly tending to the garments she woreto church, each fold an embodiment of a life lived with care and precision.Upstairs, the THEBE MAGUGU SUITE is a secluded retreat with a king-size bedroom drapedin patterned fabrics, opening onto a balcony that frames views of the Mount Nelson's rollinglawns. The bedroom is a balance of calm and creativity, using neutral tones accented withrust red to counter high-design details such as hand-carved bedposts, a custom-madetextured rug, and pleated lighting fixtures. In the ensuite bathroom, a free-standing bathtubis enveloped in rusty tones of brown and burgundy to mimic the natural warmth of a cave.
Thoughtful touches of marble and local bronze add depth and texture, grounding the spacein the material richness of the region."My work is rooted in preservation” says Magugu. “I created this suite with theintention of offering guests the experience of living within a space that encapsulatesour culture through art, craft, and history - while also providing a sense of ease andcomfort, reflective of the gracious hospitality the Mount Nelson has extended forover 126 years."“Belmond partners exclusively with the world’s most visionary creatives – from WesAnderson’s reimagination of a British Pullman carriage and JR’s artistic creationaboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express,” says Neal Ludick, Belmond's Director ofInterior Design. “Thebe Magugu’s approach to design is rich in narrative, deeplyauthentic, and unmistakably alive. It’s a striking interpretation of cultural dialogueexpressed through clothing and space. Who better to honour and evolve MountNelson’s iconic legacy?”MAGUGU HOUSE CAPE TOWN: A CELEBRATION OF CULTURE EXCHANGE
Launching alongside the THEBE MAGUGU SUITE is MAGUGU HOUSE CAPE TOWN, acurated atelier space co-created with StudioLandt, showcasing limited-edition pieces,archival garments and accessories from the acclaimed designer, rotating seasonally.Mirroring the Johannesburg-based atelier, MAGUGU HOUSE CAPE TOWN will serve as bothboutique and gallery – with the first exhibitions showcasing the works of lauded artists,sculptor Zizipho Poswa and photographer Zanele Muholi, who are both represented bySouthern Guild. MAGUGU HOUSE CAPE TOWN will be a vibrant hub dedicated tocollaborative projects and emerging artists, also featuring a thoughtfully curated selection ofbooks and objects, celebrating African design, literature and craft. Visitors can also lookforward to salon-style events, screenings and exhibits, transforming MAGUGU HOUSE into adynamic platform for the creative community.“MAGUGU HOUSE CAPE TOWN heroes African luxury: refined , forward-lookingyet rooted in culture. It is a space where the past, present, and imagined future of
Africa exist in dialogue - an intersection of heritage and innovation. Each detail,from materials to layout, will reflect my ongoing commitment to elevating Africannarratives with a contemporary lens; a philosophy of “Afro-Modernity”says Magugu.
MOUNT NELSON HOTEL: A CULTURAL ‘FORCE’ IN CAPE TOWN
The highly anticipated collaboration is born out of CONFECTIONS x COLLECTIONS (CxC), anannual celebration of Pan-African fashion curated by sustainability platform Twyg. Theinitiative debuted in 2022, with Magugu as its inaugural designer. Now a staple of MountNelson’s annual cultural calendar, this year’s fourth instalment of CxC will mark a significantevolution, with the launch of Magugu’s landmark project, making history at the hotel whileunveiling his latest Spring/Summer 2026 collection on his 10-year anniversary. For the firsttime, the event transcends the ephemeral collection showcase to introduce a lasting,tangible expression of creativity: fashion design transforms into a permanent space within the iconic property.
The THEBE MAGUGU SUITE will be part of Belmond’s Signature Suites and Villas and will be available to book from December 2025.To make a reservation, join the waiting list by
contacting [email protected].
MAGUGU HOUSE CAPE TOWN will be open to the public from the 10th of November 2025.CONFECTIONS X COLLECTIONS will take place from 6 – 8 November 2025
GLAMOUR Recommends
7 Times Love Island USA's Olandria Carthen channelled bombshell energy through her style
Rethinking your career path: The do’s and don’ts of making a change
Fans react to Temi Otedola and Mr Eazi’s stunning three-country wedding
R’Frique’s rental model is redefining luxury fashion in Africa
Legendary Italian fashion designer, Giorgio Armani passes away at the age of 91
This week in celebville: Weddings, romances, awards and more
