Mixed traditional wear in demand

By: Ntebaleng Shete

Designs with a traditional flavour are a must wear these days. Traditional wear mixed with western fashion designs are suitable for different functions. Many would wear them to funerals, formal gatherings, weddings and traditional ceremonies.     

Mixed Traditional Dress

“Although there are those who prefer their traditional wear unmixed, for the past three to four years we got many orders who want them mixed’’, said Monza Ngekwazi a fashion designer at Lookout Hill ,Khayelitsha. Ngwekazi says they still need recognition as small businesses.      

Ngwekazi says there are few tourists who buy their designs and of them, they buy those with more traditional flavour and beads.               

                                                              

With beads, they make beautiful accessories like bangles, necklaces and earrings, also with a western taste.

Traditional Xhosa Dress - unmixed

Phetho Ntaba a radio personality says she adores the new designs. “I wear them to different functions.” Ntaba says the youth of today do not want to wear the heavy old traditional wear that requires one not to wear shoes at all. They like traditional but mixed with designs that speak to today, they want to wear them with high heels and they always want to make a fashion statement.

She also acknowledges the fact that these kinds of designs are expensive, they range between R800.00 and R1500.00.