Brand To Know: Sindiso Khumalo
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The Story
Sindiso Khumalo launched her eponymous label in 2015 after studying architecture at the University of Cape Town and textile futures at Central St Martins. Inspired by African culture and her mother’s social activism, Khumalo’s pieces celebrate female empowerment, the history of her home nation and puts ethical production at the forefront. In recognition of her sustainable approach, Khumalo received the Green Carpet Fashion Awards’ ‘Independent designer’ gong in 2020, and in the same year won the prestigious LVMH prize, firmly establishing her position as a rising star in the industry.
The Look
With a keen interest in the representation of black women from the turn of the 20th century and up to the 1980s, Khumalo’s bold, feminine prints are instantly recognisable and brought to life in Prairie-style dresses complete with ruffles, high necklines and peter pan collars. Striking the perfect balance between statement and wearable, each piece is designed to tell a story, promising to transition seamlessly from season to season.
The Sustainability Credentials
Sustainable and ethical production is at the heart of Sindiso Khumalo’s mission: “We vote with our dollar and the more conscious we are of how we consume, the better we will be about saving our climate,” Khumalo told British Vogue in 2021. “As an industry, we can make very conscious steps in our supply chain that can hugely impact our planet in a positive way. It’s just up to us as to make those steps.” To that end, Khumalo works closely with a handful of small African factories to produce the hand-woven textiles for each collection, all of which include eco-friendly fabrics like organic cotton, linen and hemp.
The Need To Know
The majority of Sindiso Khumalo’s designs are stocked online and in South African boutiques but fortunately, a capsule collection is now available on NET-A-PORTER, with the brand recently joining the site’s Vanguard initiative. Expect to pay upwards of £500 for a dress, while separates are more affordable – plus, a few styles are currently on sale, so if you want to snap up a discounted piece, now’s your chance.
Visit NET-A-PORTER.com
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