MAXHOSA Becomes The First South African Fashion Brand To Present A Full Runway Show At Paris Fashion Week

MAXHOSA AFRICA makes history at Paris Fashion Week with its Spring/Summer 2027 collection and putting South African fashion and African heritage on the global stage.

FASHION

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10/5/20262 min read

Sjava Joins the Paris Moment

South African artist Sjava provided the musical soundtrack for the runway, adding another strong South African element to the presentation.

Kenyan artist Cyrus Kabiru also contributed to the show with eyewear made from waste materials, bringing another African creative voice to the Paris runway.

A Global Stage for South African Fashion

The show was held at the South African ambassador’s residence in Paris, giving the occasion a strong connection to South African representation abroad.

MAXHOSA’s collections are produced through its knitting facilities in Johannesburg and East London, with wool for its knitwear sourced from the Eastern Cape. Laduma has continued to champion local production and the growth of South Africa’s textile industry.

For Laduma, reaching the runway stage is the result of years of work to establish MAXHOSA internationally.

“I’ve been fighting to sit at the table for 16 years now,” Laduma said following the show, highlighting the continued underrepresentation of the African continent in the global fashion industry.

MAXHOSA’s achievement marks a major moment for South African fashion, bringing the country’s creativity and cultural heritage to one of the world’s biggest fashion stages.

After years of presenting in Paris, MAXHOSA AFRICA has now officially taken its place on the Paris Fashion Week runway.

MAXHOSA Makes History With First Full Runway Show At Paris Fashion Week

South African fashion house MAXHOSA AFRICA has made history after staging its first full runway show on the official Paris Fashion Week calendar.

“Izihlwele Zivumile” translates to “The ancestors have co-signed.” The collection explores African heritage through a contemporary luxury perspective, drawing inspiration from the Mpondo people, Ngxokolo’s family roots and the Cape Aloe plant found in South Africa’s Eastern Cape.

The runway featured MAXHOSA’s signature knitwear, tailoring, geometric patterns and contemporary silhouettes. Some pieces featured the names of African countries, while others incorporated patterns inspired by traditional Xhosa beadwork.

Led by founder and creative director Laduma Ngxokolo, MAXHOSA presented its Spring/Summer 2027 collection, “Izihlwele Zivumile,” on September 28, 2026. The show officially marked the brand’s move from Paris presentations to a full runway show.

The milestone comes 16 years after Laduma Ngxokolo founded MAXHOSA in 2010. Before its runway debut, the brand had already presented in Paris on several occasions, building its international presence and establishing its distinctive identity.

A Collection Rooted in African Heritage