Day 1: Seth Shezi opened the floor for Confections x Collections on Tuesday (5 November) wearing Rich Mnisi, the first designer to showcase at the 2024 edition of the salon-style fashion experience in Cape Town. “I’ve never felt so insecure and so sexy at the same time,” he joked in a skin-tight sheer turtleneck and perfectly tailored trousers.

Having recently celebrated its 125th anniversary, the Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel is taking on the task of remaining relevant for another 125 years by celebrating culture, creativity, and diversity. “Confections x Collections is one of the most spectacular ways to do that,” said Gaby Palmer, regional public relations and communications for Belmond.

After afternoon tea was served and guests were seated, the show began, opening with a green floral digitally printed swimsuit and matching floor-length durag. The Mount Nelson presents the annual Confections x Collections, a five-day fashion experience which is curated by Twyg.

Photographer: Mikayla McClean

Rich Mnisi’s distinct colours, textures, and motifs were clear throughout his collection. “I borrowed a lot from my tribe, the Tsonga tribe,” says Rich. “We love colour, and we have no regard for how we portray one thing.”

Pops of cobalt blue and brown alongside florals and monochromatic looks. Mesh dresses, knitwear, silk suits, and pleated details twisted their way through Mount Nelson’s iconic lounge. Snakes, a common theme, appeared from appliquéd swim briefs to models with winding plaits to the confectionery: a creamy coconut and lime mousse layered with lime custard and a coconut dacquoise, complete with a delicate chocolate snake.

Florals took centre stage, too. “That’s our traditional print,” says Rich. “Tsonga people wear flowers.”

Photographer: Mikayla McClean

Photographer: Paige Fiddes

Rich Mnisi’s made-to-order model is founded on his aversion to waste. After graduating from fashion school, Rich interned at a boutique in Parkhurst where he saw the impact of overproduction in the fashion industry on a small but significant scale: the inventory room. In particular, the volume of bikini separates leftover at season’s end—a mismatch of sizes that couldn’t be sold together—exemplified not only financial loss but also the fashion industry’s inability to cater to the bodies of South African women.

Seeing millions of rands in unsold stock, Rich realized the importance of making to order. “I’m making exactly what you need, customised to your body shape as well,” he says. “I wanted to create an interprocess that responded more to the realities of the human body.”

Photographer: Paige Fiddes

To Rich, his label is first and foremost a community brand. “We care more about our community than the industry, to be honest,” he says. “It’s more about creating a connection.”

As Rich Mnisi redefines what we consider ‘luxury’, bringing African heritage to the forefront, the community the brand has fostered actively helps the cause. Rich reflects on a moment a few years ago when he and his label came under fire in true 2020 style: trial by Twitter. After releasing his interpretation of a traditional Tsonga skirt-inspired piece, constructed with merino wool and leather, an online debate was sparked by its R60,000 price tag.

“It was so expensive, but the beautiful part about creating a community was that I didn’t need to say anything,” says Rich. “It was a debate amongst people, and people really tried to understand what luxury is, what goes into pricing, and what goes into a product.”

Photographer: Paige Fiddes

To Rich, true luxury is honouring the people who create each piece: “Are they happy? Are they working in good conditions?”

“I love that the conversation on Twitter went from ‘It’s super expensive’ to ‘Oh, if it was sold for R200, how much was the person that made it paid?’”

Reflecting on the Confections x Collections experience, Rich shared, “I think it’s just beautiful how it just connects people and the designers.”

“There are designers here from all over Africa,” he added. “It’s creating spaces where people can engage, exchange, and create conversations. I really value things like this—it’s going back to creating that community.”

 

• Feature image by Mikayla McClean
• Find out more about Confections x Collections at the Mount Nelson in Cape Town here