Laduma Ngxokolo

“We are inspired by many tribes and cultures within the continent. We find many cultures to be interesting and are a source of inspiration. We also have rebranded our company to MAXHOSA AFRICA as we are inspired by the continent of Africa, its vast cultures and colours.”

“Luxury is comfort and elegance. We do need to shift our minds to African luxury where core values of humanity still prevail. Luxury is an aspiration for many, and with adequate resources and access, it can be afforded. We need to allow the conversation around more access to luxury. With the core streetwear and leisurewear, luxury apparel can now be seen as a lifestyle product that is not restricted to a certain occasion.”

“The main challenge is production, so we have ventured into owning our own production facility. When outsourcing production, delivery to client and quality assurance are often issues we tackle. I would also like to see improvement in the business of fashion - we need to show young designers that they are crucial in the development of their own businesses.”

“Beadworks are a very important source of knowledge about the African continent. Beads, particularly glass beads, were imported and became a part of colonialism. Prior to that, clay beads were used. It tells a great story of how our cultures have been transformed. Beads within the continent of Africa carry narrative with each culture having its own specific colourways and beadwork patterns. When you look closer into the Xhosa beadworks, the core design inspiration, you see that there are many bold colours. Each colourway and pattern represent a certain clan and a time within the last century.”

“The ritual is about instilling a core set of values in young boys as they transition into manhood, while supported by their communities. This set of values is instilled in them, so they come back to society as new men able to go forth and expand their families’ legacies. It is a very crucial part of the Xhosa culture, its relevance remains today. It does need to be preserved, and our very first collection was our way of ensuring an aspect of its preservation.”

“This left a great mark and influence on me, and I was aware of it. It definitely influenced my design. Part of the decision to name the brand MAXHOSA was the fact that I also had undergone the traditional initiation ritual, which also informed which clothes would be worn.”