{
  "id": 10611410,
  "title": "MaXhosa puts South Africa on the Paris fashion map",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/maxhosa-puts-south-africa-on-the-paris-fashion-map",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-29T05:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/lifestyle/style-beauty/2026-09-29-maxhosa-puts-south-africa-on-the-paris-fashion-map/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "MaXhosa Africa, a South African fashion brand, made its debut at Paris Women's Fashion Week on Monday, showcasing a vibrant knitwear collection intended to celebrate African crafts and unity. Founder Laduma Ngxokolo, 39, was honored to be invited to the prestigious Paris Fashion Week calendar after a 16-year fight for representation. Ngxokolo highlighted the recent re-scaling of Africa on the UN's official map, with one wool dress featuring knitted tassels bearing the names of the continent's countries. The Spring-Summer 2027 collection also featured a large Africa outline on the front and back of a black-and-grey outfit, symbolizing the recently re-sized UN map. The Paris catwalk show at the South African ambassador's residence featured a live performance by Afro-soul singer Sjava and eyewear and accessories from upcycled waste by Kenyan artist Cyrus Kabiru. MaXhosa Africa, founded in 2010, employs around 300 people, runs eight stores, and produces all its knitwear from its factories in Johannesburg and East London. The brand counts Michelle Obama and Beyoncé as fans. Ngxokolo expressed his pride in being proudly \"made in Africa\" and emphasized the importance of professionalism, quality standards, and high standards in the fashion business.",
  "summary": "MaXhosa Africa made its official Paris Fashion Week debut with a vibrant Spring-Summer 2027 collection celebrating African craft, unity and the continent’s true scale.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ESPNcricinfo",
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        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/rabada-in-south-africas-preliminary-squad-for-australia-tests",
        "published": "2026-09-28T09:45:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Citizen",
        "title": "‘I had fun and the time of my life’: Bontle Modiselle wins ‘The Masked Singer South Africa’ season 3",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/i-had-fun-and-the-time-of-my-life-bontle-modiselle-wins-the-masked",
        "published": "2026-09-28T09:59:36.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "MaXhosa puts South Africa on the Paris fashion map",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/maxhosa-puts-south-africa-on-the-paris-fashion-map",
        "published": "2026-09-28T18:34:58.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}