MaXhosa Africa Paris Fashion Week history was made on September 28, 2026, when South African designer Laduma Ngxokolo presented his label’s first full runway show on the official calendar of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode — a milestone for African fashion on one of the world’s most influential stages.
FAKTA
- Designer: Laduma Ngxokolo, founder and creative director of MaXhosa Africa, a South African luxury label founded in 2010 and celebrating its 16th anniversary this year.
- Milestone: first full runway show on the official FHCM Paris Fashion Week calendar, after five presentations and a 2023 Paris debut in presentation format.
- Collection: Spring/Summer 2027, titled “Izihlwele Zivumile” — an isiXhosa phrase meaning “the ancestors have approved.”
- Show: 54 looks presented on the opening day of Paris Fashion Week, September 28, 2026, at the South African ambassador’s residence in Paris, with a live performance by South African musician Sjava.
- Signature: geometric Xhosa-inspired knitwear expanded into silk, chiffon, organza and cotton, plus footwear, accessories and upcycled eyewear by Kenyan artist Cyrus Kabiru.
Sixteen Years to the Runway
After five seasons presenting stationary collections in Paris, MaXhosa Africa was selected by the FHCM — the governing body behind Paris Fashion Week — to take a place on the official runway schedule. Ngxokolo told reporters he was in disbelief at how quickly the invitation came: the brand had expected to wait several more years.
“For us, this collection is about recognising how far we have come and being confident in where we are going,” Ngxokolo said. “We have spent 16 years building a brand with a clear identity, a strong cultural foundation and the ability to stand on a global stage.”
A Collection Rooted in Xhosa Heritage
The Spring/Summer 2027 collection, “Izihlwele Zivumile,” brought Ngxokolo’s signature geometric language to the runway in bold color. “We showcased 54 looks today, and as usual we try to diversify our fabrics as much as we can, even though we specialize in knitwear,” the designer told Forbes Africa. “Knitwear is our strongest language, but textiles are also very broad.”
Standout pieces included a wool dress carrying the names of African countries in knitted tassels and a black-and-grey look featuring a large outline of Africa across its front — a celebration of pan-African identity and unity. It was also the first time the brand presented its own footwear, alongside handbags, isicholo-inspired hats and statement earrings.
African Fashion Takes the Official Stage
The debut carried weight beyond a single brand. Kenyan artist Cyrus Kabiru contributed eyewear and accessories made from upcycled waste, while multi-award-winning musician Sjava provided a live soundtrack, dressed in traditional Zulu regalia. Sjava called the performance “history in the making” for South Africa and the continent.
MaXhosa’s knitwear is produced at facilities in Johannesburg and East London, with operations employing around 300 people and eight stores across the brand — a local production base that Ngxokolo says is central to the label’s identity.
The 39-year-old designer has dressed global stars including Beyoncé and Alicia Keys, and the Paris debut marks his ambition to grow the label from a celebrated knitwear house into a broader African luxury brand. By bringing Xhosa geometric patterns, locally sourced wool and pan-African storytelling to the official Paris runway, MaXhosa Africa has opened the door a little wider for the next generation of African designers.
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