Top 10 trends from SAMW AW18
15 Feb 2018
South African menswear designers showcased their 2018 autumn/winter ranges at SA Menswear Week, which was held from 8-11 February 2018.
If I had to round up the weekend with one central theme it would be ‘statement’. Most of the designers sported unique aesthetics with powerful, meaningful thought behind their design. Slogans with an inclination towards activism – anti-abuse and other powerful declarations were used to ingrain awareness of social issues, e.g. ‘Love is Safe’ at Magents; ‘We are because they were’ at Unknown - and the use of face paint, reminded me of ancient tribal markings in Africa.
Magents
Magents
The top trends identified were:
Asymmetry
Wraps and overlapped fronts on coats and jackets as well as bottoms were key, and finished off looks with a bit of an Oriental touch, as showcased by Duke, House of St Luke, Zeitgeist, and Augustine.
House of St Luke
Neo Serati
Athleisure
As most silhouettes were more relaxed this year, tracksuits were a huge trend, and track pants were juxtaposed with tailored jackets, denim jackets and coats, as shown by Augustine, Duke, and Kidd Hunta.
Augustine
Duke
Checks
This classic trend was celebrated in variations of tartans, checkerboard, Argyle, and plaids, as showcased by Chulaap, Issa Leo and Unknown Union.
Chulaap
Unknown Union
Faceoff
Statement faces, celebrating designer’s individuality by means of painted faces, accompanied the designs of Magents, Maxivive, Rosey & Vittori, and Tokyo James.
Rosey & Vittori
Tokyo James
Grampy’s best
Augustine, Solsol, Chulaap and Terrence Bray, all paid homage to their grampy in retro-inspired cardigans, pullovers, and jumpers, rocking 70s grandpa prints and colours.
Chulaap
Terrence Bray
Layered
Every year this trend seems to appear in different styles and interesting details. This year Chulaap, Lemflux, Maxivive, Unknown Union and Terrence Bray includes clashing printed versions, knit layering, jumpers over shirts, etc.
Lemflux
Maxivive
Metallics
This is one of the coolest trends for the season and was astutely incorporated in jackets, trousers and sets, as shown by Duke, Maxivive, Neo Serati, and Tokyo James.
Neo Serati
Maxivive
Mixed–up
Chulaap is a master at mixing up prints, and this year is no exception. It was quite refreshing to see Terrence Bray’s take on what could not be seen as the easiest trends to execute.
Chulaap
Terrence Bray
Africana
We cannot overlook the presence of ethnic prints and elements of Africa, as showcased by Issa Leo, Unknown Union and Magents.
Magents
Issa Leo
Oversized
A small, but key look that we cannot overlook this year, is presence of the cape, cape coats, oversized trench and oversized coats, in variations of fabrics and colours, as shown by Chulaap, Terrence Bray and Augustine.
Terrence Bray
Chulaap
Photography by SDR photos
