Inside Thabiso Musi’s Abstract Clay Collection: A Love Letter to Heritage and Womanhood

South African designer Thabiso Musi doesn’t just make clothes, he tells stories through them, using fabric and form as his medium. His latest collection, Abstract Clay, created in collaboration with Pick n Pay Clothing’s Futurewear programme, is far more than a seasonal fashion drop. It’s a rich and colourful celebration of African heritage, a tribute to Khoisan history, and a heartfelt acknowledgement of the women who have shaped his life and creative journey.

For Musi, fashion has never been merely about what we wear; it’s about the narratives embedded in every stitch and silhouette. Abstract Clay captures this philosophy with striking clarity, transforming garments into vessels of memory and culture. Inspired by ancient rock paintings, Western Cape landscapes, and the resilience of the women who guided him, the collection balances tradition with modernity, bridging the past and present while pushing African storytelling into the global fashion conversation.

This is not a collection that whispers quietly from the racks; it speaks boldly and personally, offering both a celebration of identity and a call to remember the histories that too often fade into the background. With Abstract Clay, Musi invites wearers to carry these stories forward, making heritage not just seen, but felt.

Growing up in the Free State, Musi’s dream of becoming a designer didn’t happen overnight, in fact it was only something that started to take shape in his mind during his teenage years. “When I was like 13 and 14, as a boy, I thought it was interesting and something to do. [But] It was only later on in Matric, I  started to realize, hey, it's now.” That moment of clarity set him on a determined path: he used his savings to move to Stellenbosch, pursued full-time studies in design, and, as he puts it, “never looked back.”

Musi describes himself as introverted and cerebral, someone who lives in his own headspace. But that introspection translates beautifully into his design style, which he sums up in three words: conceptual, African and raw. His creative compass, he says, has always been guided by women: mentors, family members, and even strangers whose strength, wisdom, and perspectives have informed his work. “Women have been my north star,” he says. “Their stories insist upon themselves in my way of doing things.”

One such story that truly resonated with him is that of Krotoa, a 17th-century Khoi woman whose contributions to South African history have often been overlooked. Musi stumbled across her story during a late-night YouTube rabbit hole in 2019 and was stunned to learn how few people knew of her existence. “She existed in this space between myth and history,” he says. “Naming the women in my work is [an] important point of reference to note.’’

Abstract Clay reflects these forgotten narratives through earthy tones, symbolic prints, and textures inspired by the Western Cape landscape—its water, sand, mud, and clay. Burgundy echoes the hue of ancient caves, while vibrant oranges and blues capture the shifting light and sky. Many of the symbols draw directly from Khoisan rock paintings, abstracted and reimagined for today’s wearer. “The responsibility, I feel, is to make sure that I tell the story as clearly as possible because it is imperative for the African creative to be clear and direct”, “ There is this kind of chipping away of our stories”.

The emotional weight of the collection became clear at its Cape Town launch, when a woman of Khoi descent teared up as she viewed the garments. “She told me the work was beautiful and striking, and that the narrative connected deeply to her,” Musi says. “That moment was incredibly humbling.”

Despite its cultural depth, Abstract Clay is designed for real women. Musi’s favourite piece, a panel dress with puffed sleeves, bridges timeless elegance and contemporary African storytelling. “It encapsulates both these kinds of stories that people don't know about my family and also the images of Khoi women, and this kind of contemporary feeling,” he says, “But it still has this kind of story and narrative.”

Working with Pick n Pay’s Futurewear programme helped Musi translate his creative vision into something accessible without losing its soul. “It was tricky because you’re never really sure,” he admits. “You realize when working on the programme that people actually want African stories, they really are interested.”

Abstract Clay also dropped during Women’s Month, a deliberate choice. “This collection is my love letter to women,” Musi says. “It’s a love letter to what my friends, their kindness and their stories have helped me to become” and “I would hope they can lean on the story of Krotoa and see their potential”

Musi is optimistic about the future of South African fashion, praising peers like Thebe Magugu and Rich Mnisi for pushing boundaries globally. “It’s such a beautiful time for South African designers,” he says. “Our stories, our craft, our images” are being represented globally. He says “Who are we in the sea of global design?”, “We have to tell local stories and I think it's my contribution to the story [that matters]”.

As for what’s next, Musi has something up his sleeve. There’s a spark in his eye when the conversation turns to the future, something big is on the horizon, but the details will remain a secret for now. What he does reveal is enough to intrigue: his storytelling is about to take on a new form, one that promises to push his narrative even further. For now, Abstract Clay stands as a powerful testament to heritage, identity, and the transformative power of fashion, yet it also feels like the quiet prelude to something extraordinary still to come. 

With Abstract Clay, Thabiso Musi proves that fashion can be more than trend, it can be a vessel for memory, culture, and pride. By fusing Khoisan history with modern silhouettes and making African stories accessible to a wider audience, Musi has crafted a collection that feels intimate yet powerful. It’s a reminder that heritage can be worn, celebrated, and carried forward, one garment at a time.