BY NELIWE NGUBANE
MALKERNS – The Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival has unveiled the 11 Eswatini fashion designers who will take centre stage at this year’s Luju Fashion Runway, shining the spotlight on local creativity as the festival returns to House on Fire on August 1 and 2.
Inspired by the fashion theme, “Kwasukasukela: Once Upon A Time,” the designers will present collections that celebrate African storytelling, heritage and innovation during both the Emerging Designers Showcase and the Luju Fashion Runway.
The local line-up features Adonis Threads, BlackDegree, Flow Wearz, Philz Creations, Rose Petí, Tash Creations, Uniq_uity, Zerushi, Wels Crafts, BatfobileEdit and Karo Textiles. Together, the designers represent the next generation of Eswatini’s fashion industry, each bringing a unique creative voice to the runway.
Headlining the fashion programme will be internationally acclaimed South African designer Mzukisi Mbane, founder and creative director of Imprint South Africa. Mbane, recently crowned Africa Fashion Up 2026 winner and South Africa’s Best Heritage & Cultural Designer, is expected to bring his signature Afro-futuristic style to this year’s showcase.
Among the local designers is Calvin DuPont, founder of Adonis Threads, a contemporary streetwear label built on self-discovery, confidence and growth. From humble beginnings, DuPont has grown his brand into a purpose-driven fashion house where every stitch reflects progress and every garment tells a story.
Speaking about his collection, DuPont said this year’s Luju theme inspired him to revisit the beginning of his fashion journey.
“My collection is inspired by my own journey as a fashion designer, going back to where it all began. ‘Kwasukasukela: Once Upon A Time’ challenged me to reflect on my origins, from learning how to sew in primary school to experimenting in my bedroom before becoming the designer I am today,” he said.
He said the collection unfolds through a series of looks that represent different stages of his life, beginning with a school-inspired outfit before progressing into more refined designs that reflect the skills and confidence he has gained over the years.
“Rather than simply presenting clothes, I wanted each look to represent a chapter of my story. My collection honours where I come from while embracing where I am going. Every great story begins somewhere, and this collection is my ‘Once Upon A Time’,” he said.
DuPont added that he hopes festivalgoers will leave inspired by the message behind the garments.
“I want people to remember that every dream starts somewhere. Fashion is more than clothing; it is storytelling, and our past can become a source of creativity rather than something we leave behind,” he said.
The Luju Fashion Runway forms part of the festival’s broader theme, “A Return to the African Future,” celebrating African culture, craftsmanship and creativity while giving Eswatini’s designers an opportunity to showcase their work before regional and international audiences.
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(Courtesy Pic)
