Power in vulnerability: designer Thebe Magugu's latest collection

The local designer takes us behind the seams of the look book for his 'Figures of Fortitude' collection

17 June 2018 - 00:00 By Nothemba Mkhondo

There is always power in vulnerability and no one knows that better than local designer Thebe Magugu.
He has ingeniously combined both these qualities in the styling of the photographs for the look book of his latest collection, Figures of Fortitude.
The juxtaposition of immaculately tailored garments set against an arid, harsh landscape aptly sets the tone for Magugu's depiction of the power of women.
He says: "For the past two collections - Gender Studies SS18 and Home Economics AW18 - we explored the condition of the female force in South Africa.
"We are constantly surrounded by women, and on a personal level, the trait I have always found most admirable is their powerful ability to possess both strength and vulnerability; traits I feel blessed to be exposed to with the matriarchal figures that raised me, and traits which are monumental in anyone hoping to contribute positively to the human condition.
"For this look book, shot on sculpted scarecrows [a symbol of strength and vulnerability]; the two collections come together to form a personal short story: an ode to women. In some of the images, you will see a raging fire taking place from a crop burning, which we found quite poetic. Some coats are functional, some are torn in half."..

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