South African designer Laduma Ngxokolo makes Paris Fashion Week debut with MaXhosa Africa
Ngxokolo became the first South African brand to stage a full runway show on the Paris Fashion Week calendar
South African designer Laduma Ngxokolo has made his Paris Fashion Week debut with MaXhosa Africa, marking a major milestone for the South African luxury fashion brand as it looks to expand its international presence.
Ngxokolo presented MaXhosa Africa’s Spring-Summer 2027 collection on September 28, becoming the first South African brand to stage a full runway show on the official Paris Fashion Week calendar. The show took place at the residence of the South African ambassador to France and featured 54 looks celebrating African unity, culture and craftsmanship.
The collection featured MaXhosa’s distinctive knitwear and geometric patterns inspired by Xhosa beadwork, alongside designs incorporating the names of African countries and imagery of the continent. Kenyan artist Cyrus Kabiru contributed eyewear made from recycled materials, while South African musician Sjava performed during the show.
Ngxokolo, who founded MaXhosa Africa in 2010, said he had spent 16 years working towards a place on the international fashion stage. The brand produces its knitwear at factories in Johannesburg and East London, using locally sourced wool, as part of its wider effort to demonstrate the potential of South Africa’s textile and manufacturing industries.
The Paris debut also comes as MaXhosa Africa looks beyond its established market and towards further luxury expansion. Ngxokolo has identified cities including Dubai, Paris, London and New York as important markets for the brand, while the company is also in discussions with a new financial partner.
The designer has previously spoken about building a luxury label that challenges perceptions of African-made fashion. MaXhosa Africa has attracted international attention over the years, with figures including Beyoncé and Michelle Obama among those associated with the brand.
The Paris Fashion Week appearance gives MaXhosa Africa access to one of the industry’s most prominent international platforms at a time when Ngxokolo is seeking to grow the label beyond its existing audience. He has said the company wants to develop a fashion language capable of reaching markets from Canada to Brazil while retaining its African identity.
Ngxokolo also highlighted the wider representation of African designers in global fashion, saying the continent remains underrepresented on major international platforms. His Paris debut therefore represents both a new chapter for MaXhosa Africa and a significant moment for South African fashion on the global runway.
