ZyleClothing aims to keep people fashionably warm as the mercury keeps dropping
Phumzile Ntuli is set to launch her latest cultural blanket range on through her brand, ZyleClothing.
Johannesburg - As the days continue to get colder, Phumzile Ntuli is making it her mission to keep people fashionably warm.
The designer is set to launch her latest cultural blanket range on Wednesday through her brand, ZyleClothing.
“It is about uniting and committing to our culture. My work is pure and is not associated with customs and traditions. It is about love and unity,” she said.
Her daughter and brand general manager, Zinhle said the launch of five new blankets included a LGBTIQ+ inspired blanket.
“Our blankets convey unity and love. The same still applies for this new launch. We have a VhaVenda inspired blanket, the Musadzi blanket that depicts a woman. It tells you how the VhaVenda clan respects and holds hierarchy with the women. There is also the Kaross blanket which is a Khoisan-inspired blanket. Our intention is not to replace any of these cultures but rather to take inspiration and embrace them,” she said.
Zinhle said the blankets were a fashion aspect of the different cultures.
“The Meropa blanket has a drum on it, and it has the words ‘music’, ‘dance’, ‘meropa’, ‘BaPedi’ on it. We want to showcase the beautiful blankets and also show just how easy it is to wear them,” she said.
The blankets are available on the Zyle Clothing platforms and online store.
“We have a YouTube fashion show that will take place on our page today. The launch is held in partnership with Soweto Theatre. For the fashion show, models of different races and ethnicities are used in order to convey love towards one another.”
The event will be a showcase of indigenous instruments, an Imbongi (praise singer), dance and visual artists.
“Some of the models who will be part of the fashion show include Mrs Universe SA 2020, Melody Zondo, founder of Women in Formation, and Mrs South Africa finalist Palesa Matjekane as well as choreographers Soul Divine and Lesego van Niekerk.”
The blankets that are being launched are inspired by The VhaVenda Women (Musadzi), the Khoisan people (Kaross), the life of Bapedi music (Meropa) and the rainbow nation and LGBTIQ+ inspired (uMusho weNkosazana).
“Apart from looking good, our message and our story is the most important thing. That is what speaks to people. You can love the product but what speaks to people is the message behind it, which is unity among us as Africans.”
The Star