How One Vision (and a Dream Team) Made Sarah Langa the Star of Durban July 2025

Sarah Langa

The Hollywoodbets Durban July has all but passed. Looks were served, moments were made. But behind the scenes, many were galloping to get things over the line, and no, I’m not talking about the horses. The golden Balmain two-piece that Sarah Langa wore is unforgettable, yet the journey of how it was imagined and brought to life is a story waiting to be told.

Modern Opulent Gazette goes behind the scenes with the woman who first pitched the look, the assistant stylist who helped build it, and the lead stylist who brought it all together to crown a truly iconic moment of South African style.

The Pitch That Sparked a Marvel: Nonkululeko Ngcobo

Nonku Ngcobo

Just days before the Hollywoodbets Durban July, when most were scrambling to perfect last-minute details, the creative spark for Sarah Langa’s show-stopping look was already igniting behind the scenes. The theme was clear: “Marvels of Mzansi.” But it was Sarah’s own interpretation, through the vibrant lens of S'khothane culture, that set everything in motion.

Opulence with purpose, cultural pride steeped in economic symbolism; this vision demanded a fashion language as bold and unapologetic as the movement itself. For Nonkululeko, who pitched the idea, Balmain was the natural choice.

Despite the daunting timeframe, confidence was never in short supply. “We have a great working relationship,” Nonku explains, “and Sarah is a master of her craft. When there’s mutual trust and a shared vision, execution becomes instinctive.” The initial reaction to the concept was a mix of surprise and intrigue. It was a departure from the usual, a daring statement that transcended mere style. But once the cultural significance was laid bare and the potential to recast it in luxury’s light was understood, excitement quickly took hold. “I anchored everyone in the bigger picture,” she recalls. “This wasn’t just about a look, it was about a statement.”

Her role as a PR Account Manager at Sinnamon has given her an intimate understanding of the brand’s DNA: strength, opulence, and a fearless identity. It was this very essence that aligned perfectly with the “Marvels of Mzansi” theme. Balmain wasn’t simply a backdrop but a partner in storytelling, giving shape and weight to a deeply local narrative with global resonance. And then there was Sarah, whose fierce presence and fashion voice made her more than a wearer of clothes, but the embodiment of the vision.

The whirlwind pace was perhaps the biggest challenge. With mere hours to source, style, and approve, balancing brand expectations with authentic cultural expression required clear communication and unwavering focus. Yet, through strong relationships and a shared passion, the team managed to pull off what felt like fashion alchemy.

Now, watching the look become one of the most celebrated moments of the day brings profound satisfaction. “From a PR perspective, it’s incredibly rewarding,” Nonku reflects. “We don’t just dress people, we craft narratives. Seeing this go viral and spark conversation proves that culturally rooted storytelling has power when done authentically. It’s a proud moment, not just because it landed, but because it meant something. Strategic, intentional, and deeply local, yet executed through a global fashion lens. That’s the kind of work that moves the needle.”

Dressing the Moment: Phupho Gumede

Phupho Gumede

Phupho Gumede and Sarah Langa had both been selected by Balmain to attend the Durban July; Phupho for the pre-party brunch, Sarah for the main event, but neither of them knew the other had been tapped. “She showed me a few pieces she loved, and we started bouncing ideas around,” he says. “Later, I walked into the store and saw the outfit... and I just knew.” That set, a matching co-ord in bold chain print, did more than just speak to Sarah’s minimalist aesthetic, it also echoed something from Phupho’s own past.

“When I saw the Balmain set, I immediately thought of the S'khothanes,” he explains, referring to the flamboyant township subculture he grew up around. “They always wore these loud two-piece co-ords that made a statement. That print instantly took me back.” Balmain, a label known for its opulence, wasn’t a surprising pairing for Sarah Langa, who lives comfortably in high fashion. But for Phupho, the opportunity lay in merging two worlds in a way that felt true to both.

That ethos translated into styling choices that went beyond aesthetics. “The S'khothane subculture has always been about access, confidence, and bold self-expression,” he says. “Why wear one belt when you can wear three?” The look’s stack of belts was no afterthought, it was intentional, nodding to the subculture’s layered flair. Combined with the outfit’s masculine tailoring, the result was something that felt simultaneously camp and couture, distinctly South African yet globally resonant.

It helped that he was working with a muse who understood the stakes. “Sarah’s no stranger to a best-dressed list, but let’s be honest, I have my own reputation for keeping my girls on that list too!” he says, confidently. “I’m extremely competitive when it comes to styling. Every time I work with someone, my goal is clear: they have to be the best dressed. It’s non-negotiable.” For Phupho, it’s never just about following a brief, but it’s about walking into a room knowing you’ve already set the bar. “I pour everything into making sure that, even before we’ve seen anyone else’s outfit, we know we’ve nailed it.” With Sarah, that level of ambition wasn’t just welcome, it was matched. “We weren’t just showing up, we were showing out.”

That attitude stayed in place until the very end, even when the finishing touches caused some last-minute stress. The hat, added just before the event, came in the wrong shade of black. “It just wasn’t sitting right with the rest of the look,” Phupho says. What followed was a blur of tie-dye, spray paint, and chasing perfection. “We had to spray it again... and again... until it matched the outfit, the belts, the bag, everything.” The stress was worth it. “It had to be perfect. And in the end, it was.”

When the look finally dropped online and the reactions came in, Phupho allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. “I already knew we had done something special. The world just caught up.”

Turning Moodboards Into Magic: Essie Museba

Essie Museba

Behind every standout fashion moment is a team working in sync, and for Essie, assistant stylist and PR lead on the project, the Durban July look was a blend of instinct, intention, and a deep respect for cultural context. “There wasn’t one central idea from the start,” she reflects. “We simply kept the theme in mind and allowed the creative process to guide us.”

Inside the Balmain store, three garments were pulled, each echoing the boldness of the brief in different ways. Through back-and-forth ideation, they eventually honed in on two pieces that Sarah felt captured the S'kothane spirit most powerfully. “It became a collaborative process of bouncing around ideas and slowly refining the direction,” she says.

For Essie, who lives for loud and bold pieces, the look was more than just a fashion statement. It was personal. “As a maximalist, this look was a true representation of how I view fashion; loud, layered, and meaningful.” Accessories weren’t an afterthought. They were essential, helping push the look into a space that felt both glamorous and rooted. “We drew inspiration from the S’kothane subculture while reinterpreting it through a feminine lens, blending the bold with the beautiful in a way that still honoured its roots.”

Time was not on their side. Everything came together in a matter of hours, but the pressure only sharpened the vision. “Thankfully, fashion feels like second nature to me,” she says. “It wasn’t pressure, it was an opportunity to push myself creatively.” Even though she wasn’t the one walking the red carpet, Essie approached it as though the look was an extension of her own creative identity.

When Sarah stepped out, custard in hand, the moment took on a life of its own. “We knew we had to take the S’kothane theme all the way, and Ultra Mel was the missing puzzle piece,” Essie explains. “As much as Sarah stole the show, the custard was symbolic, it tied the entire concept back to the culture we were referencing.”

And when the internet exploded with praise? It was surreal, but not accidental. “Sarah had mentioned early on that she wanted to make a bold statement at this year’s Durban July, and we held onto that intention throughout,” Essie recalls. “It felt like we manifested the moment without even realising it.”

For her, the impact went beyond metrics or engagement. It was a milestone. “This was a defining moment in my career. The recognition and impact it garnered affirmed my purpose and reminded me why I do what I do.”

Together, Sarah, Phupho, Nonku and Essie didn’t just style a look, they crafted a cultural moment. One that blended Parisian couture with kasi nostalgia, Ultra Mel custard and all. It was loud, intentional, and unmistakably South African. “Marvels of Mzansi” might have been the official theme, but what they delivered was more than just on-theme, it was iconic. A masterclass in collaboration, and a reminder that when fashion meets culture with purpose, the result isn’t just a trending topic, it’s a legacy.