Renowned fashion powerhouse, Mzukisi Mbane captivated the red carpet with his Durban July Imprint ZA collection featuring six exclusive garments for South African celebrities and personalities.
These included former Miss SA & model, Shudufhadzo Musida, actors Kwenzo Ngcobo and Dillon Windvogel, model & doctor Dr. Karishma Ramdev, the queen of drag Manilla von Teez, and TikTok sensation Wynand Kotze.
Here's what Mzukisi Mbane, the creative mind behind Imprint ZA, had to say about his inspiration for the #ForeverWena collection:
What inspired you to create garments for the #ForeverWena campaign? Talk us through your creative process of designing these garments.
I love creating with a story in mind, that’s what Imprints creations are rooted in. The first step was using the Forever Wena campaign messaging and coming up with fresh unique prints that work for Imprint, Forever Wena and the personality wearing the garment.
The most exciting part of my creative process was when I got to create designs that embodies each of the personalities involved in the campaign. This is where the fun began, I loved the challenge of creating a #ForeverWena x Imprint world where these different personalities exist.
How did you incorporate elements of HIV awareness and prevention into your designs?
For Imprint, this became very easy as we create prints. It was just making sure that the HIV awareness and prevention messaging was visible in a tasteful manner while making sure that Imprint, as a fashion brand, creating these prints and garments can maintain its integrity.
We had to get the message across but still maintain beauty, creativity and taste that people have grown to expect from the brand.
What challenges did you face while merging fashion with such a crucial social message?
The biggest challenge was balancing the message with the fashion. The garments needed to convey the HIV awareness message without overpowering the wearers. I had to make sure that I’m creating a fashion moment, with a clearly communicated sensitive message and the person who gets to wear the garment is comfortable and each message is something that also speaks to them.
Do you believe that fashion can ignite social change?
Fashion has always been a powerful tool for social and political change. It reflects the socio-economic conditions of the time and communicates messages that inspire change. Fashion can reach people more effectively than traditional methods, especially in our fast-paced digital age. Wearing a statement piece can spark conversations and engage people in ways that other forms of communication might not.
How do you think people perceive the message of HIV prevention when presented through fashion?
Fashion makes the message of HIV prevention approachable and relatable, especially for young people. A fashionable garment can make the message trend more easily than other mediums, sparking conversations and increasing engagement. Fashionable items can create viral moments that spread the message widely.
How did you ensure that the message of the #ForeverWena campaign was clear and impactful through your designs?
The strategy involved designing prints where the message was tastefully and clearly integrated. Placement and colour were key to making the message an effortless part of the print, ensuring it was noticeable and instantly understandable. This approach helped draw attention to the message while maintaining the aesthetic appeal of the garments.
