08/12/2025
IWISA No. 1 x MIZAMO
Inspired by the shared experiences of African people living in townships and rural communities, the aim was to create a collection that these individuals could see themselves in, not just another clothing line but a reflection of their lived realities and cultural pride.
In the collection, I incorporate symbolic elements that speak to these experiences. On the tote bag, there’s an illustration of an African woman carrying a tray on her head, dressed in a headwrap and lihiya (a traditional cloth covering the body). This image represents the strength and resilience of single mothers who often shoulder the responsibilities of leading their households.
The T-shirt design includes several meaningful references: a taxi, a smile with a single gold tooth, a three-legged pot, and a R1 coin. The taxi signifies the main mode of transport in these communities. The gold tooth nods to a once-popular aesthetic among locals. The three-legged pot ties back to IWISA maize meal, as it’s commonly used to prepare family meals. Lastly, the R1 coin subtly integrates the IWISA logo while highlighting how even a single rand holds value in these areas, where the cost of living is lower than in cities.
