VICTORI SS26 Collection at SA Fashion Week: Denim Reimagined for the Bold and Empowered

All Photos: SA Fashion Week

In a short yet striking capsule of just ten looks, Victoria Ongansie—the Namibian-born, South Africa-based designer behind VICTORI—made a lasting impression at this season’s South African Fashion Week. With a raw, streetwear edge and a deeply personal ethos of resilience woven into every piece, the VICTORI collection brought denim to the forefront, but not as we know it.

From the moment the models stepped onto the runway, it was clear that this wasn’t your average spring/summer affair. In fact, not a single look featured light-wash denim, a bold deviation from the norm for warm-weather fashion. Instead, Ongansie leaned into moody, saturated hues—midnight blues, jet blacks, and deep reds—creating a moody, urban palette that spoke volumes about inner strength and confidence.

What made this collection particularly magnetic was its consistent use of denim across all ten looks, yet never in the same way. One model floated down the runway in a dramatic sheer checker block vest with plush, 3D appliqués and paired with oversized culottes—disruptive, soft, and strong all at once. Another dazzled in a glittering, rich cobalt ensemble: a workwear-inspired jacket over baggy pants, styled with layered silver chains and oversized sunglasses, exuding futuristic cool.

Then there was the vibrant red set—an oversized shirt and matching pants finished with raw hems and glittery texture—topped with a fuzzy pink teddy bucket hat and white-rimmed sunglasses. It was part hip-hop nostalgia, part high-fashion satire, and entirely memorable.

The collection’s texture play added to its uniqueness. From structured denim jackets to teddy-fur trims and cozy hats, VICTORI didn't shy away from layers or warmth—even for spring/summer. And yet, it all worked. Every element felt like an intentional juxtaposition: soft versus hard, sheer versus rugged, utility versus glamour.

Two standout shirts added a workwear feel to the mix—one in a bold, true blue and the other in a stunning green that brought a hint of freshness and grounded the more experimental pieces. Each look held its own, but together, they formed a story of urban resilience, told through bold silhouettes and redefined streetwear codes.

At the heart of it all is Ongansie herself. As a DSAC Young Entrepreneur and the founder of VICTORI, her journey from a single-parent household to South African Fashion Week speaks volumes about her brand’s values: resilience, empowerment, and strength.

“Fashion is not just about what we wear,” she said. “It’s about expressing who we are and overcoming every challenge with style and power.”

With this latest collection, Ongansie doesn’t just design clothes—she tells stories of survival and triumph. Denim becomes armor. Texture becomes rebellion. And fashion becomes a language of empowerment. VICTORI didn’t just show up at Fashion Week. It made a statement—and a powerful one at that.