MaXhosa Africa Fall 2025 Ready-to-Wear Collection: A Tribute to Ancestors and African Luxury
Laduma Ngxokolo, the visionary behind MaXhosa Africa, captivated the Paris Fashion Week audience with his Autumn/Winter 2025 collection titled Umbulelo—meaning "Gratitude" in English. This breathtaking collection, described as "a gift to the ancestors," was only partially revealed, with the remainder set to debut at the MXS Kulture Festival.
At its core, Umbulelo challenges the traditional notions of luxury, reshaping the global perception of premium African fashion. “For this collection, we wanted to define what luxury means to us as a brand—beyond the preconceived ideas of a colonial representation of the continent. At MaXhosa Africa, we believe luxury is as much about refinement and craftsmanship as it is about an individual representation of culture that is imbued with a spiritual legacy and a sense of individuality that makes it at once modern and historic,” Ngxokolo shared.
As expected, the collection featured MaXhosa's signature geometric printwork, deeply rooted in Xhosa tribal motifs, but with an elevated contemporary spin. Laduma’s fearless approach to colour shone through—bold hues clashed and harmonised in ways that only he could master. Models graced the runway adorned with fresh flowers, grass sticks, and sculptural African-style braids, turning the show into an immersive cultural experience. Every detail, from the socks to the gowns, whispered "MaXhosa" in its purest form.
The menswear range was nothing short of revolutionary. It featured detailed track pants paired with contemporary fishing vests—Gen Z approved—alongside matching sweaters and shorts emblazoned with MaXhosa’s iconic prints. A standout look? A vest in black-and-white graphics reminiscent of a Pac-Man map, reimagined with zig-zag slits along the sides, effortlessly paired with oversized pants adorned with MaXhosa icons and a fusion of Peruvian, Latino, and African-inspired patterns. Completing the ensemble were Ngxabulela slides, inspired by traditional batat Zulu shoes, a nod to heritage wrapped in a modern silhouette.
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The womenswear exuded power and grace, with body-hugging dresses draped in MaXhosa’s celebrated patterns, matching pencil skirts paired with tailored cardigans, and A-line dresses featuring chest cutouts that offered a subtle yet seductive peek of skin. Our favourite look? A striking two-piece set—a pencil skirt paired with a cropped vest adorned with delicate pink fur trim. The blend of pink and green in the patterns was unexpectedly harmonious, making the ensemble an undeniable showstopper, especially when styled with pink stockings and a matching MaXhosa tote.
The collection’s audacity in colour play—combinations that few would dare to imagine—earned a standing ovation from the audience. When these fearless hues merged with the intricate prints, the garments took on a life of their own, reaffirming MaXhosa’s place in the global luxury fashion conversation. The show, held at the iconic Pavillon Élysée, was further elevated by a live performance from South African rapper Maglera Doe Boy, whose rhythms perfectly underscored the energy of the collection.
For Laduma Ngxokolo and South Africans worldwide, Umbulelo was more than a runway presentation—it was a moment of pride, a statement of identity, and a celebration of Africa’s unparalleled richness in craftsmanship and storytelling. As we await the full reveal at the MXS Kulture Festival, one thing is clear: MaXhosa Africa is not just redefining African luxury—it’s setting the global standard.
