The Jozi Collective Residency 2026 brings together a group of designers whose work reflects the diversity, depth, and direction of contemporary South African fashion.

Each designer approaches their practice through a distinct lens that is shaped by personal history, cultural reference, and a commitment to craft.

MOVUNDLELA

MOVUNDLELA is rooted in self-discovery, a space where the layered experiences of girlhood and womanhood are explored with honesty and care.

Founded by Mmaphuti Movundlela, the brand reflects on the quiet fears and complexities surrounding destiny, identity, and motherhood. Through thoughtful design and storytelling, MOVUNDLELA creates garments that hold space for women to question, embrace, and redefine what it means to exist in their power.

It exists as both a personal journey and a collective narrative for women becoming.

SIYABABA ATELIER

Siyabonga Mtshali, artistically known as Siyababa, is a multidisciplinary storyteller from the coast of KwaZulu-Natal, now based in Johannesburg.

Working at the intersection of art and fashion, Siyababa pioneers a contemporary African avant-garde while transforming garments into narrative and runway into performance.

Shaped by his experience of growing up queer within a hyper-masculine Zulu community, his work challenges inherited ideas of identity and representation. Through design, he creates new visual languages that reimagine what it means to be African, queer, and seen on his own terms.

OYAMA GONINTEBE

OYAMA GONINTEBE is a womenswear label rooted in Xhosa heritage, storytelling, and craftsmanship.

The brand reimagines tradition through a contemporary lens creating elegant, intentional garments that honour culture while embracing modern expression.

Each piece speaks to unity, resilience, and individuality, offering women clothing that feels both grounded in heritage and aligned with who they are becoming.

MUSAWENKOSI

Musawenkosi is a bespoke menswear brand built on craftsmanship, precision, and personal narrative.

Founded by a self-taught tailor who began his journey at the age of 16 by deconstructing hand-me-down suits worn to church, the brand is rooted in a deep understanding of garment construction and detail.

Each piece is handcrafted through a private consultation process and extending the personality of the wearer into garments that carry both presence and soul.

THABO KOPELE

Thabo Kopele is a South African fashion label redefining contemporary tailoring through a distinctly African lens.

The brand explores structure, texture, and fluidity that is brought to life through bold colour, confident layering, and a strong editorial perspective.

With a clear and evolving visual identity, Thabo Kopele presents a modern expression of African fashion that is both directional and self-assured.

This residency reflects Jozi Collective’s ongoing commitment to building platforms that centre South African designers not only as participants in fashion, but as authors of their own narratives.