R6104/1 Maxhosa by Laduma Cardigan

a brightly coloured man's cardigan with zigzag patterns similar to South African beadwork designs

Cardigan (Museum Accession Number R6104/1)

This cardigan was made by the South African knitwear brand Maxhosa by Laduma, founded by designer Laduma Ngxokolo. This garment is part of the brand’s Apropriyeyshin spring/summer 2017 collection. Laduma was taught to knit by his mother in his teens, and founded Maxhosa when he was just 24. To produce high quality knitwear and support his community, the wool for his winter collections is sourced, and manufacturing takes place, in the Eastern Cape region. Laduma’s signature style and designs reference his Xhosa heritage and are inspired by historic Xhosa beadwork. After studying historic beadwork patterns in South African museums, he began to translate these designs into knitwear. He says that the Apropriyeyshin collection ‘aims to express the beauty in cultural exchange between western and South African Xhosa dress codes. The goal is to merge the two worlds, resulting in a bold and sophisticated culture meets modern statement’. Collected as part of the Fashioning Africa project.

Creator: Laduma Ngxokolo, Maxhosa by Laduma

Place: South Africa, Southern Africa, Africa

Date: 2017