DALA SPACES SHINES SPOTLIGHT ON SWATI STYLE AT 6TH FASHION & COCKTAILS – FESTIVAL EDITION!

By Tlalane Dlamini

MALKERNS – Dala Spaces successfully hosted its 6th highly anticipated Fashion & Cocktails event on the 8th of May 2025, a vibrant celebration of Eswatini’s burgeoning fashion and jewelry scene.

Held at the picturesque Malandela’s Lifestyle Centre, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect, with the renowned MTN Bushfire Festival just around the corner. The event served as an exciting preview of Eswatini’s finest boho-afrocentric festival-inspired looks, all while embracing the MTN Bushfire themes of Creativity, Unity, and Sustainability.

Guests arriving from 6:00 PM were greeted with complimentary mimosas and the opportunity for some delightful late-night browsing at the local artisan shops.

The runway show commenced at 7:00 PM, energised by the dynamic duo of Emcee Phiwo Dlamini and DJ Nelson X. The showcased designers embraced the evening’s theme, translating it into stunning collections through diverse techniques including batik, crochet, silk, leather, and denim.

Featured Designers and Collections:

Baobab Batik: Their 2025 collection explored captivating stripes and geometric patterns in both classic and vibrant color palettes. Versatile and stylish, these pieces effortlessly transition from a night out to a day at the beach. Notably, the collection is locally designed and handcrafted by a dedicated team of 18 women in Malkerns. Baobab Batik’s creations are available at their Malandela’s shop and at the Barn Marketplace during Bushfire.

Yugo: This curated thrift brand champions conscious fashion by breathing new life into pre-loved clothing through upcycled styling. Driven by a passion for unique, storytelling pieces, Yugo promotes a sustainable approach to style, empowering customers to express their individuality while minimizing fashion waste. Their philosophy: true style transcends fleeting trends.

SASA-LU Kids: Focused on breathable, natural-fiber children’s wear, SASA LU presented a collection crafted exclusively from sustainable materials like linen, cotton, and wool. Gentle on delicate skin and kind to the planet, these pieces encourage conscious living from a young age.

Golden Hands by Doreen: This luxurious knit and crochet brand showcased boho-chic pieces crafted from cream cotton by skilled local artisans. The collection’s delicate Swazi craftsmanship and versatile designs evoke a sense of timeless elegance suitable for any occasion.

Philippa Thorne’s 2001 Collection: Marking a significant return, this luxury collection featured exquisite hand-dyed silks and premium leathers, elegantly styled with locally made Khokho bags. Originally unveiled in London at Central St. Martins, the collection embodies individual style, sustainable luxury, and innovative pattern cutting and textile development. The use of refined natural fibers underscores a commitment to quality and sustainability. Inspired by the charm of miniature dolls, the collection playfully scales up these childhood treasures, reflecting the enduring power of early memories. Signature elements include oversized laser-cut lace and large-scale stitching on leather pieces.

Festival Collaboration: In an exciting display of unity and sustainability, MTN Bushfire, BoMake, Indigenous Africana, Ruff Cut, and Beads Emporium joined forces to present an innovative upcycled collection. This collaboration showcased upcycled bucket hats by Indigenous Africana, hand-painted and beaded jackets by J Smash and Beads Emporium, and creative denim wear by Ruff Cut, all facilitated by Dala Spaces.

Trends Fashion Design: First-time runway designers Sthembile Ngwenya and Wandiswa Khumalo presented their denim artistry. Sthembile views denim as more than just fabric, but as an art form, showcasing the beauty of pairing multiple denim pieces into uniquely tailored outfits.

House of Diva by Phiwase Nxumalo: This youthful and trendy collection was deeply inspired by the designer’s nieces and nephews, pushing the House of Diva brand to cater to their vibrant fashion sense. Embracing the boho theme, the collection expands its vision to appeal to a younger, “hip and trendy” DIVA audience.

The stunning runway presentations were expertly styled by Vanessa Gwebu, with flawless makeup artistry by Kuyenzeka Mhlanga and hair design by Anele Maseko. The captivating moments were captured by Light House Photography.

Supporting Local Fashion and Community Empowerment:

Dala Spaces continues to be a proud platform for Eswatini fashion, celebrating the art form’s power to encourage creativity, expression, and individual style. “Clothes are a way to express yourself; it’s not what you wear but how you wear it,” emphasized Philippa Thorne, Founder of Dala Spaces and Creative Director of the show.