Don't be afraid to own your creativity, Riky Rick tells young designers

10 April 2019 - 11:46 By REA KHOABANE
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Fashion-forward Riky Rick has been called the most stylish man on the SA music scene.
Fashion-forward Riky Rick has been called the most stylish man on the SA music scene.
Image: Rea Khoabane

Wearing a neon-green outfit inspired by a construction worker's garb, hip-hop star Riky Rick is unapologetic about his bold fashion sense - and he thinks designers should be unapologetic when it comes to owning their creativity too.

Rick doesn't believe that creativity should be governed by rules. Instead, in order to stand out, designers need to "create a voice that pushes people to be different".

That's what he told a group of young creatives while speaking on the topic of "creativity through diversity" at a masterclass hosted by African Fashion International (AFI) ahead of Cape Town Fashion Week.

Acclaimed designer Thebe Magugu echoes Rick's sentiments, saying that designers need to stay true to who they are. This honesty, he says, creates authenticity and that should drive any creative output.

Perhaps thanks to the Black Panther effect, the eyes of the world are currently zooming in on our continent. Given this rise in international interest, Magugu feels it's vital that creatives present an authentic vision of Africa through their designs. Creativity requires constant exploration - particularly of our culture, he says.

Fashion designer Rich Mnisi agrees. Rather than get upset when international artists and designers "exploit" our country's culture in their work, it's up to local designers to "own it and explore it to its fullest capacity".


subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now