South African designers showcase craftsmanship at Paris Fashion Week

South African designers are gaining significant visibility at Paris Fashion Week, highlighting African craftsmanship and cultural heritage on a global stage.

Laduma Ngxokolo’s brand, MaXhosa Africa, achieved a milestone by joining the official Paris Fashion Week calendar for the first time. The debut runway show featured 54 looks that integrated the brand’s signature knitwear with materials such as silk and chiffon. Ngxokolo noted that 90% of the brand's products are manufactured in-house to showcase Africa's production capabilities.

Other notable participants include Drew Henry, who presented his debut collection for the French fashion house Courrèges, and designers Jacques LaGrange and Nadene Marx, who showcased work at independent events. The presence of these designers underscores a growing influence of Black creativity and diaspora perspectives within the international fashion industry.