Acclaimed young designer Lukhanyo Mdingi appreciates that it takes more than a pretty collection to build a brand that has staying power, writes Sandiso Ngubane.
Graduation day is still a few weeks away but unlike most of his peers, Lukhanyo Mdingi won’t be sending out his CV to retail chains, nor will he be interning for a big designer in an attempt to forge a career in the fashion industry. At least this shouldn’t be the case if the reception to his collection at last week’s inaugural Menswear Week is anything to go by.
Mdingi sent models sashaying down the makeshift runway in the parking lot of the V&A Waterfront in crisp whites and many shades of grey. But it was the texture in the form of chunky knits, woven hats and the variations of linen the models wore that were a talking point, and brought the audience to its feet.
“It is based on the Macramé technique,” the 22-year-old told the Mail & Guardian, referring to the form of textile-making he explored in his collection. “Staying true to my minimal aesthetic, I wanted to introduce fabric types that embodied qualities and similarities to the technique.”
It’s not the first time Mdingi has managed to impress the fashion world with his minimalist aesthetic. He has churned out three noteworthy collections, including the more avant-garde Iridescence collection that he made as part of his postgraduate thesis titled “Avant Garde Menswear: A Challenge to South African Fashion”.
The collection garnered attention both locally and globally, with well-known blogs The Fader and Fucking Young both publishing his look-book at the end of last year.
Focus and passion are vital qualities in young designers like Mdingi, whose stars can fade almost as quickly as they rise in the tough fashion biz. The challenge for young flavours of the moment is turning acclaim into something tangible. This could be because of a lack of business acumen or an inability to see beyond the glamour. Mdingi, however, is determined to keep afloat.
By the time he gets into his graduation gown, he could be well on his way to establishing himself as a fully-fledged fashion entrepreneur.
See full article in Mail & Guardian
Luyolo Mdingi is fashion design student at Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town. Follow Luyolo on fb
