African fashion is an expression and celebration of the continent’s identities, cultures and creativity. At the recent Africa Textile Talks in Cape Town, Merchants on Long, one of the event sponsors, collaborated with Twyg to create a fashion installation to showcase textile traditions and their powerful influence on contemporary fashion and sustainability. During the event, guests had an opportunity to have a close-up look at the fabrics and designs of a selection of garments from Merchants on Long, a South African concept store that celebrates and promotes the best of what the African continent has to offer. All garments sold by the store are ethically made and sourced on the continent and are statements of style, heritage, and old and new innovation.

To celebrate this partnership, a selection from the collection was photographed by Andile Phewa at the dynamic V&A Waterfront’s Silo district, where historical buildings, modern architectural lines and urban landscape are the backdrop to a collection that represents Africa’s rich cultural legacy that is connected to contemporary and future fashion. These five looks each have a rich story of African craft, textile and creativity:

Studio 189

Studio 189’s Floor-Length Pink and White Ruffle Tiered Maxi Skirt and Shirt: Handmade by Ghanaian artisans using locally grown cotton, this ensemble showcases meticulous craftsmanship through the traditional art of hand-stamping with carved wooden blocks. The process, which can take days to complete, results in each piece being unique, reflecting the individual artistry and slow fashion ethos that Studio 189 champions.

NWKO

NKWO’s Peep Kaftan: This maxi kaftan, made from Adire cloth, underscores NKWO’s focus on textile waste reduction. Using up-cycled denim, made-in-Nigeria cotton, and innovative methods to minimise cutting waste, NKWO has developed Dakala cloth, a new African fabric. The Peep Kaftan beautifully embodies this commitment to sustainability, blending traditional techniques with forward-thinking design.

Lukhanyo Mdingi’s Frill Dress epitomises the blend of tradition and modernity central to the collection. The dress features a cinch-waist flowing into an A-line silhouette, crafted from a hand-dyed textile in an exclusive colour-way for Merchants on Long. This unique fabric, made by artisans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, showcases the dedication to craftsmanship and collaboration. Lukhanyo Mdingi’s design pays tribute to the partnership with the CABES community, merging traditional artistry with contemporary fashion, and reinforcing the collection’s celebration of heritage, style, and sustainability.

UNI FORM ZA

UNI FORM ZA’s South African Handwoven Cotton Jumper: This piece, created in collaboration with Barrydale Hand Weavers, highlights the artistry of South Africa’s weaving tradition. The jumper is a testament to the preservation of heritage skills and the promotion of local craftsmanship, bringing weaving techniques into contemporary fashion.

MONO

The MONO Chacha Robe: A Kente woven robe with fringe embellishments, the Chacha Robe merges traditional craftsmanship with a contemporary silhouette. Featuring two front pockets and a belt, the robe pays homage to Kente’s rich history and cultural significance while adapting the textile into a modern, wearable art form.

Credits