Sindiso Khumalo SS22 Digital Fashion Show

South African designer Sindiso Khumalo returns to Milan official calendar to present her SS22 collection titled “JAGGER”.

South African fashion label, Sindiso Khumalo, which debuted in Milan calendar in September 2020, returns to Milan to present its Spring/Summer 2022 collection in a digital format within Milan Fashion Week’s official calendar.

On September 26th at 3:30 pm CET, JAGGER, the fashion film produced for the event was broadcast on the digital platform of the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana.

Milan has really been the home I have grown with fashion, starting out at Milan Fashion Hub 4 years ago. It’s wonderful to return again, and to have the amazing opportunity to showcase the work we do in the city I love. I look forward to visiting soon”.

Sindiso Khumalo SS22 Digital Fashion Show

JAGGER – SINDISO KHUMALO SS22 COLLECTION

On the 18 of April 2021, one of the most important libraries on the African continent was caught up in a mountain fire. The result was the library, burned to the ground and the loss of the University of Cape Town Jagger African Studies Library.

Sindiso Khumalo SS22 Digital Fashion Show

As a tribute to the JAGGER library, SINDISO KHUMALO SS22 collection speaks to the treasures that were lost in the fire. The books, the maps, the political posters, the great archives of African literature, both modern and traditional. Khumalo uses this collection as a point of reflection upon the archives housed in the University of Cape Town’s African studies’ library and by extension upon the monolith that is African Scholarship. Appearing throughout the collection are political posters, novels, maps, book covers and many other visual and textual resources that were burned in the fire. All symbolising the languages of freedom expressed on the continent through literature and storytelling. Two-piece suiting and tailored outerwear are a dedication to the librarians who built its archives. Long time muse, Charlotte Maxeke, a revolutionary activist in South Africa’s history, is echoed into some pieces of the collection.

Looking at the mountain today, you will see bright yellow wild flowers growing next to the black ashen trunks. This is echoed in the collection featuring bright hand embroidery, pink hand woven suiting, and bold hand screen printed silks, handmade ceramic buttons, political illustra- tions by Illustrator Sinalo Ngcaba. Sustainable materials are also a feature across the collection, with recycled cotton and organic cotton blends from Khumalo’s collaboration with sustainable textile manufacturer Circular Systems.

Sindiso Khumalo SS22 Digital Fashion Show

Long term collaborator Githan Coopoo, Cape Town based ceramic artist, is featured as the guest Art Director to the collection.

JAGGER – SINDISO KHUMALO SS22 SHORT FILM

Set in Cape Town and in Table Mountain where the fire began, the movie was directed by Haneem Christian and represent a homage to the library and the treasures that were lost in the fire. Books, maps, political posters, the great archives of African literature. The true damage of the fire is still unknown, but with time one hopes we will rebuild what was lost. In a time of undisrupted mourning, we take a moment contemplate what was lost.

Film Credits:

Director: Haneem Christian @haneemchristian 
Director of Photography: Imran Christian
Camera Assistant: Peter Parker Michael
Production Manager: Waseem Noordien
Guest Art Director: Githan Coopoo
Styling: Githan Coopoo
Model: Sikhokhele Tyhali
Hair and Make Up: Inga Hewett
Opera Singer: Lulama Mgceleza

Credits: © Courtesy of Aurora Lecce Pr