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Why Somizi is every designer’s style muse
Celebrity Somizi Mhlongo and Fashion Designer ZamaSwazi collaborate to create trendsetting red carpet looks for the ultimate fashion muse.
Celebrity Somizi Mhlongo at the Metro FM Music Awards in a ZamaSwazi designer outfit. Picture: Supplied
Mbombela Stadium hosted a slew of music industry luminaries this past weekend as part of the Metro FM Music Awards.
While the event was previously put on hold due to Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, its return allowed the ‘black’ carpet to take centre stage and showcase some of Mzansi’s most daring fashion looks.
Somizi Mhlongo is cementing his position as the ‘King of Fashion’ on the red carpet and as a broadcaster. Mhlongo presented a variety of looks and made an unforgettable impression with never-before-seen fashion pieces.
Fashion designer and owner of fashion house ‘ZamaSwazi’, Zamaswazi Nkosi, famed for his dramatic celebrity red carpet creations, collaborated with Mhlongo to achieve the looks and add something unique to the carpet and stage.
“Somizi is a designer’s dream muse, he’s open to trying new things and is experimenting with never been done before pieces. He treats his outfits like art and understands the process of garment creation.”
ALSO READ: Meet Zamaswazi Nkosi, the designer behind Somizi’s Idols SA outfits
ZamSwazi, best known for designing dresses for former Miss South Africa, now Miss Supernatural Lalela Mswane, international Black Panther and Gomora movie star Connie Chiume, Generations star Letoya Makhene, personality Bonang Matheba, and that dress that was on everyone’s lips, worn by The Wife actress Zikhona Sodlaka, frequently creates ornamental designs for both men and women.
“I make clothing, and the feedback I receive from people and social media is typically what I want.”
Famed for his countless bold celebrity red carpet creations, he collaborated with the former DStv Idols SA and current Masked Singer judge to achieve the looks and bring something new to the fashion world.
It is critical to personalise each garment to the needs of the client; bespoke creations are his art.
But he’s not only restricted to red-carpet events, but he is also fast becoming popular for elaborate wedding gowns and fine tailoring for men. He can often be seen sporting his designs while dressing his clients.
How Somizi’s looks were created
ZamaSwazi shared with The Citizen how the looks were created for the ultimate style muse Somizi.
A large rose garden dress best described as midnight black rose accented with flakes of silver and the white frosting had Twitter in a frenzy.
Somizi posted the colossal bed of roses and described the night as magical.
Loaded with intricate floral creations ZamaSwazi explains his vision when making the gown, which can be separated into a skirt and blazer, reminding us that we live in a non-restrictive and fluid world when it comes to fashion.
The designer wanted to create a gown that would fit with Somizi’s often larger-than-life and boisterous personality.
Similarly, being the first outfit, an entrance had to be made.
“The vision was – what can we do that’ll make Somizi stand out and something new that’ll bring life and that’s why we used flowers. I must create a garment that’s the talk of the town and we achieved this seeing the positive reactions to the gown,” he said.
‼️The Update‼️
— Nozipho M (@nozipho_mashaba) May 6, 2023
Looks at the Metro FM Music Awards 2023
Somizi Mhlongo#MMA23 #BlackIsBack @Official_SABC1 @METROFMSA #MetroFMAwards #MMA23BlackCarpet pic.twitter.com/l1cdWDgBhw
He says that Somizi has great tattoos that should always be accentuated with each outfit and used as a body accessory.
The gown transformed as sequence pants were paired with the rose-themed blazer and Mhlongo added gladiator platform heels to stand out.
His second look incorporated a colourful suit reminiscent of previous designs he wore designed by the celebrity designer.
“Colour always looks good on Somizi, it complements his style. I enjoy fine tailoring and suit creation and always try to change every look to suit the wearer and occasion.”
Previously he designed colourful suits for Somizi and the spirit of that comes through to the present day.
An added personal touch to the suits is handmade detailing like bows and kilt l-like pleats with alternative fabric piping down the sides of the pants.
One thing is for certain with his exploratory spirit and willingness to try out-of-the-box looks Somizi will forever dominate red carpets around South Africa.
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