ShweShwe fabric, or ‘seshoeshoe’ as it is also known, has been an iconic part of South African culture and fashion for almost 80 years.
ShweShwe patterns have even made their way overseas, thanks to South African fashion designers such as Khosi Nkosi, who used the print in his the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2016 collection, and many others.
While the textile has its roots in Xhosa culture, people of all walks of life are using ShweShwe in a variety of new and exciting ways.
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- Bridal: From traditional African weddings to western-style affairs, ShweShwe is becoming a more widely featuring fabric in wedding dress design and even decor, adding a touch of South African eccentricity to the nuptial process.
- Street style: Shoe fanatics looking to add some local flavour to their collections will love the latest ShweShwe shoe designs which include everything from ShweShwe-inspired pumps to chic lace-up sneakers in all the original ShweShwe colours and patterns.
- Fashion for children: JenniDezigns is a South African clothing brand that gives children the freedom to play and express themselves in unique and comfortable clothing items made from 100 per cent cotton ShweShwe.
- Handbags for Africa: ShweShwe is not just beautiful to look at – it is also durable enough to hold all your precious belongings in one stylish package. Fashionistas can also get their hands on the latest ShweShwe accessories to add a pop of colour and texture to any outfit.
- Decor and furniture: The use of the beautifully busy and vibrantly colourful patterns adds a unique pop of texture to the modern living space, creating the perfect focal point in any room.
ShweShwe continues to play a major role in South Africa’s rich heritage, with many designers around the world cottoning on to the textile’s versatility.
Edited by Stacey Woensdregt
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