Patrick Michael Hughes Men's Fashion Editor
New York has the reputation of the cross walk of the world and New York Fashion Week in resent seasons has embraced this by encouraging and helping showcase new and interesting designers from around the world.
Lukhanyo Mdingi is a designer who established his brand in 2015 in South Africa. He is passionate about local South African design and creating ethically based fashion, which is sourced and produced in South Africa. His collections have been presented in Italy and London. He is one of the top designers in South Africa and is an advocate of showcasing the value of South African artist as a creative society contributing to Africa as a whole. He is interested in the roots of Africa in its entirety and its diverse expressions of identity. Mdingi looks to cross cultural references and uses theory and research as a foundation to create honest pieces that celebrate the pure spirit of considered design and modern refinement.
The fall 2019 collection included men and women’s looks in a rich palate of gold, ivory and bronze. The tour de force were the textiles particularly the silks and the knits in plush wool showcasing variation in knots in sweaters and oversize scarf silhouettes. The tailoring was also an element to note this was an exceedingly well-made collection. The fashion and fresh design outlook is seen in the refinement. The balance of jackets, trousers, to a white cotton Djellaba look helped bring to light Mdingi’s interests and storytelling about the diversity of the African continent. It was a wonderful well-edited and well-presented introduction to a designer making beautiful accessible and intelligent clothing.
