From Pearl Thusi’s otherworldly look at the Durban July extravaganza to Tyla’s nod to the past, these were the celebrity fashion highlights of the year in Africa.
It is indisputable that 2023 was a great year for celebrity fashion. We saw perhaps the most committed press tour wardrobe of all time; there was more glamour than ever at the big film festivals; we were treated to plenty of striking haute couture moments; and the daring dresses continued to cascade the red carpet.
This year, fashion trends took a turn for utilitarian with cargo pants, redefined denim, and wearable silhouettes all endorsed by the 2023 shows. That’s not to say that this year is boring style-wise. Dramatic hem lengths and silver metallics were still part of the sartorial picture, albeit in more practical iterations than ever before.
If you’re an avid online shopper (hey, guilty), you’ve probably seen model Palesa Makam posing in various fashion pieces from your favourite online store. The Cape Town-based beauty and fashion model has had an illustrious career with features from various magazines such as True Love and Dossier, as well as being a resident model for TFG, among other online retailers.
South African digital content creator, actress, and media personality, Neo Rapetsoa is gearing up to become a powerhouse in Mzansi entertainment. The 22-year-old got her start as a performer at a young age, taking on both main and supporting roles in the theatre productions at her school. Determined to follow her passion for the performing arts, Neo obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Live Performance from the African School of Film and Dramatic Arts (AFDA) in 2022.
Ponahalo Mojapelo, also known as Pona Colada’s idiosyncrasies lie in her beaming confidence and flair during moments when her star shines bright such as representing Thebe Magugu in Paris and blazing the decks at Rocking The Daisies Festival.
Multimedia content creator, model, and Digital Marketing student, Barbara Moagi describes herself as someone who is ready and equal to anything. With a background in engineering, the multi-hyphenate model made waves as a member of the national robotics team that not only broke the FGC world record but captured the attention of Walt Disney, receiving their prestigious award for innovation and creativity. A milestone she reached at the young of 17-years-old.
It would be disingenuous to discuss South African Hip Hop without mentioning the commentators and critics who tirelessly push the culture forward by brazenly telling us who’s hot in the streets through their digital platforms. One such maverick is content specialist, Kabelo Moremi, popularly known as Fratpacker, Big Frat, or NtateThuso wa di podcast, if you will.
As a trailblazer in fashion styling in the African diaspora, acclaimed celebrity stylist and international, DJ Luxury Recycle takes pride in all the milestones that he has accomplished in his illustrious career. Hailing from the vibrant landscapes of Mozambique, the stylist extraordinaire fuses his intrinsic flair for fashion with art to compile voguish outfits.
A gorgeous pair of stilettos, a fancy tote bag, designer sunglasses, the trendiest beauty products…when it comes to Christmas gifts, the options are endless. And since no two people are alike, finding the perfect present requires careful thought. The good news? There are plenty of options for everyone if you just put your mind to it.
Embodying compassion, beauty, and grace, Miss South Africa 2022 Ndavi Nokeri is passionate about seeking plausible solutions to tackle inequality and the digital divide in our country. Before her coronation, the Investment Management graduate worked in an angel investing business where she reviewed many start-up companies for funding and co-facilitated an event hosted by the UNDP, that was aimed at mentoring and up-skilling young entrepreneurs. Thereafter, the astute model made her debut in corporate and worked for one of the biggest asset management firms in South Africa.