Maria McCloy

‘Apartheid and colonialism have resulted in a scenario where anything African and traditional is either not seen as sexy and sophisticated or relegated to special traditional occasions, weddings and Heritage Day. My philosophy is that there is a wealth of African aesthetics to use in fashion design.’

Maria McCloy is a journalist, publicist and accessories designer. She seeks to infuse African aesthetics into fashion and collaborates with other Joburg-based creatives – beaders, shoe makers, tailors, graphic designers, jewellery makers – from across the continent.

For the Fashion Cities Africa exhibition McCloy put together four looks which comment on the relationship between fashion and politics as refracted through the city of Joburg.

Maria McCloy

Maria McCloy

Maria McCloy

Maria McCloy