by Yvonne Heinen-Foudeh
The sub-brand to Swedish fashion chain H&M – & Other Stories – has teamed up for the first fashion collaboration with the South African designer Sindiso Khumalo. Khumalo is known for creating contemporary, sustainable textiles with a strong connection to the South African community and history.
“We are thrilled with Sindiso Khumalo’s evocative Designs and his stories about Africa. But we also admire the brand’s focus on sustainability and its commitment to social equality and the and its commitment to social equality and women’s empowerment. I don’t want to give too much away just yet, but I am sure that the collection will bring a bit of happiness to women all over the world – and to their and their closets”, said Karolina Ekman, Co-Lab Manager at & Other Stories.
Traditional elements interpreted in a modern way
As part of the collaboration, & Other Stories and Sindiso Khumalo designed a sustainable collection characterized by bright colors and print diversity, expressing the brand’s cultural roots and South African heritage.” My hopes and aspirations for this co-lab with & Other Stories are to illuminate African design and the magical nature of our enigmatic continent. Another goal is to educate consumers on the importance of materials in their wardrobe and to show that clothes made from more sustainable materials can be bold and playful. Together we want to talk to more people about sustainability”, Sindiso Khumalo says of the collaboration. For the mutual collection typical local symbols are in use such as the protea, an indigenous plant in of South Africa, or the Nguni cattle, which are found among the Nguni people of southern Africa. The pepper red color comes from the traditional Zulu Nkehli that adorns a Zulu bride on her wedding day. This cowrie shell, which can be seen in the print and in the accessories, represents wealth, prosperity and good fortune in both African and Afro-Caribbean cultures.
Functionality + Sustainability = Longevity
The silhouettes of the collaboration’s styles are also based on socio-social and historical sources of inspiration,show for instance vintage portraits of women from Africa and the African diaspora in the 1800s., as the creator reveals, “starting point for the co-lab collection was to work with materials that were sourced in a more sustainable way”. Khumalo stresses. Goal above all: Creating garments that are durable. As well under that aspect the function of the fabric, of the overall garment is crucial – just as important as the aesthetics of the silhouette, the prints and the colors. “A garment must be adaptable, breathable and comfortable to be long-lasting.” The eponymous “Sindiso Khumalo” label was founded by the designer in Cape Town in 2015. Her designs weave together South African culture, craftsmanship and sustainability. Khumalo is a winner of the GCFA Independent Designer Award and co-winner of the 2020. & Other Stories operates a separate retail chain. The brand focus is on unusual design details. Clothing, shoes, bags, jewelry and cosmetics are offered.