Maxhosa Knitwear

Winter has been especially cruel this year. (I'm typing with gloves). So naturally my thoughts have turned to woolly jerseys and hot chocolate.

The Design Indaba earlier this year was such a treat, one of the best finds were the jerseys shown above by Laduma Ngxokolo. His range, Maxhosa Knitwear is a collection of mohair patterned knits inspired by Xhosa initiates.

Laduma was increasingly frustrated with the fact that the initiates go through such a culturally-embedded process, ridding themselves of their previous wardrobe after circumcision (burning their whole damn wardrobe *gasp*) only to return wearing infamous Pringle 'diamond' jerseys.

As a result Laduma dreamed up these amazing designs and 'The Colourful World of Xhosa Culture' was born.

I only wish there was a women's range.

By the way, the first two pictures above are also great examples of men's knitwear, the first being from the great www.streetetiquette.com. The second being a snap from the sixties proving that style, real style, is eternal.