Palesa Mokubung: First African Designer to Collaborate with H&M
When Palesa Mokubung first stepped onto the scene in 2004 with her Mantsho label, her unique use of prints and modern African aesthetic was- and still is- a breath of fresh air. It was clear from the beginning that hers was a talent with infinite potential, and she has since showcased her work in numerous platforms including fashion shows in Greece, Japan, USA, India, Jamaica, Senegal, and Nigeria to name but a few.
So it comes as no surprise that international retail giant H&M has chosen to partner with Mokubung as they venture into the South African market. Mokubung excitedly announced the news on her social media and fans are eagerly awaiting the first visuals from the collection.
About Palesa Mokubung
Before she became a household name, Mokubung worked under Stoned Cherrie another household brand name in the South African fashion scene. According to the designer, this is where she got much of her foundation as a budding designer 15 years ago, although she also attained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fashion Design along the way.
She decided to name her brand Montsho because it means ‘black is beautiful’ in her native SeSotho. She wanted her brand to represent all that is good, noble and beautiful about black African identity.
Since then Mokubung has showcased her work around the world and supplied various local retail chains, boutiques and ecommerce fashion shops.
When asked what her advice would be to aspiring designers, Mokubung replied: “you have to decide what type of designer you want to be… whether it’s a commercial designer, a high-end designer or a nicely balanced designer like myself who can make red carpet and ready-to-wear looks alike.”
About the Montsho x H&M Collection
Montsho’s collection with H&M is made up of 15 garments and 10 accessories which Mokubung created custom prints and fabrics for. According to the designer, this will be a limited edition collection, where only 10 to 15 items of each piece will be available for sale.
Of course, quite a few eyebrows were raised when Mokubung announced her collaboration with H&M considering the boycotts and negative press the brand received after its “Coolest Monkey” faux pas not too long ago.
However, Mokubung expresses that for her this is more than just an act of repentance from H&M and that the brand’s desire to take the collection global is about inclusivity and allowing Africans to tell their stories.
According to H&M’s Collaboration Assortment Manager, Pernilla Wohlfahrt, the Swedish retail giant was particularly attracted to Montsho’s sense of playfulness and color, which is expressed in her unique ability to play with prints and fabric.
The first Montsho x H&M collection is set to hit stores in August 2019 and will be available in 11 countries around the world, including France, Britain, Spain, the USA, Chile and Israel.
If you’re in South Africa then you can shop the collection in any of the 25 stores around the country. In the meantime, check out Montsho’s looks at their flagships store in 27 Boxes, Mellville, Johannesburg.
By Anelisa Nokoyo
Africa Global News Publication
